Asthma is the most common chronic illness in children, accounting for 10.5 million missed school days annually. It also accounts for 14.2 million lost work days for adults. The economic impact is estimated to be $20.7 billion annually. It is reported to result in over 450,000 hospitalizations and 2.1 million emergency room visits per year. It affects over 26 million Americans and accounts for over 4,000 deaths per year.
Afflicting more than 16 million Americans, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is the 3rd leading cause of death in the United States. Direct annual healthcare expenditures exceed $30 billion annually making it a major driver of AVOIDABLE health care costs. The term COPD is used to describe many progressive lung conditions including chronic bronchitis and emphysema.
The Conversio Health Program is a multi-disciplinary approach to care coordination and delivery capable of greatly reducing unnecessary hospital admissions while markedly improving the quality of life for patients of all severity. As is the case with many chronic conditions, medication adherence is a crucial aspect of controlling exacerbations along with patient education and coordination along the care continuum.
The first step in becoming a patient is to contact Conversio Health. One of our patient care coordinators will discuss the program with you in more detail. In most cases the services provided through our program will be covered by your insurance with little or no cost to you as a patient.
During the initial phone call additional clinical information will be gathered regarding your condition as well as an understanding regarding any issues you may have related to your current treatment regimen.
A complete medication reconciliation is completed for each patient by a licensed Conversio Health Pharmacist.
The Pharmacist will contact your physician to collaborate on the most appropriate clinical regimen for you based upon condition as well as tolerance to specific medications.
You will be provided education regarding your disease state, the physician's directions, and the proper use of the medication and delivery device if applicable.
Conversio Health personnel will contact you regularly to monitor your condition and coordinate care with other providers within the care continuum. If necessary, you will receive additional follow up from Conversio Health's team of respiratory therapists, case managers and licensed pharmacists at no charge.
The medication regimen available to chronic respiratory patients varies from traditional therapy via metered dose inhalers (MDIs) to customized medications tailored to meet individual tolerances and the patient's specific disease state. Individuals vary with respect to their condition, dexterity, coordination and tolerances. As such, in an effort to improve compliance and medication delivery, the Conversio Health team relies on a variety of treatment regimens customized to the individual.
Metered Dose Inhalers are the most commonly prescribed treatment for COPD. Unfortunately not everyone is capable of using the device effectively given limitations in dexterity and coordination.
For patients lacking dexterity or intolerance to MDIs, or where clinically warranted, nebulized medications are provided. A nebulizer is easy to use and when combined with the right medication, can provide long-acting symptom relief.
Patients suffering from Stage III and Stage IV COPD often require specialized combinations of medications containing inhaled corticosteroids. Conversio Health's Specialty Pharmacy customizes medications when necessary.
Conversio Health is not a disease management company but rather an important partner in the delivery of care. As a multi-disciplinary pharmacy, Conversio Health can provide a comprehensive treatment approach through its team of case managers, nutritionists, respiratory therapists and licensed pharmacists. All aspects of the patient's condition are addressed in cooperation with the patient's primary care provider and the health plan case management team.