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The PacifiCare chronic heart failure (CHF) program, "Taking Charge of Your Heart Health, " was implemented in California in 1999. As an interactive telephonic support program, the patient is provided with coaching, education, and reinforcement of self-care management skills. Patients enrolled in the program are given a personal information appliance to receive and respond to daily sessions of questions, and educational information sent from their care manager. Results from an initial 6-month data analysis of the "Taking Charge of Your Heart Health" program showed reductions in costs for hospitalizations and ER visits of 50. 6%, and total savings in claims paid of 5271 per number per year (PMPY). The program effectively reduced inpatient hospitalizations by 49. 6% (p-value < 0. 001) and reduced ER visits by 73. 0% (p-value < 0. 001). With a program enrollment of 700 patients, projected net annualized savings are approximately 2. 7 million, and return on investment close to 200%.
Vaccaro et al. (Sat,) studied this question.