Health Plan starts new Respiratory Health
Management program

Teamwork helps members manage their conditions

Because respiratory diseases are a growing health problem in America, UPMC Health Plan is expanding its Health Management services to help our members with respiratory
diseases.

In June 2007, the Health Plan introduced its Respiratory Health Management program. This new program now serves members with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) as well as members with asthma.

The program uses a team approach. A case manager, a pharmacist, a behavioral health specialist, or a clinical account manager — or all of them — may work in collaboration with the physician to help members with asthma and COPD manage their conditions.

The program takes a holistic approach by considering not only the member’s physical condition, but the economic, social, cultural, and psychological factors that might make controlling the disease more difficult.
 
Here are some goals of the Respiratory Health Management program, which are based on
guidelines established by the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute:

• Increase the number of members who visit their PCPs and/or allergists or pulmonologists
  
• Increase long-term controller use
  
• Increase member satisfaction and improve quality of life
  
• Increase member satisfaction with their medical care
  
• For our members with chronic respiratory disease to improve their ability to comfortably participate in their daily activities