In contrast to acute care, chronic care addresses pre-existing or long-term health conditions, as opposed to short-term illnesses or severe, brief illnesses. The most common chronic illnesses are asthma, diabetes, emphysema, chronic bronchitis, congestive heart failure, cirrhosis of the liver, hypertension, and depression. A disability may result from chronic conditions if they are not treated effectively.
 
In recent years, chronic disease incidence has increased while mortality rates have decreased for some diseases. Chronic care is now available to treat conditions, injuries, and diseases that were previously fatal. The goal of chronic care is to maintain wellness by keeping symptoms in remission while balancing treatment regimens and quality of life. Chronic care encompasses many of the core functions of primary health care. In chronic care, a variety of health professionals may be involved, various medications may be used, and monitoring equipment may be required.

A specific benefit of Medicare Part B is chronic care management. In complex chronic situations, they include all the work that takes place outside of the provider’s office.
 
In general, CCM aims to promote your health while reducing costs. Your medical team will be able to bill Medicare for a wide range of additional tasks if you qualify for CCM services. It is reassuring to know you can reach a physician or member of your medical team 24 hours a day, seven days a week as part of CCM if you have an urgent issue.

The leading causes of disability and death in the United States are chronic diseases such as heart disease, cancer, diabetes, stroke, and arthritis.
 
Many chronic diseases, although common and costly, are also preventable. It is within your own power to change your lifestyle to prevent chronic diseases. Getting more physical activity, eating nutritious foods, and avoiding tobacco can help prevent many of these diseases and conditions. The more healthy foods you eat and the more exercise you get, whether it’s a brisk walk, a bike ride, a jog, or a swim, the better you’ll be able to manage your disease, avoid complications and prolong your life, regardless of whether you already have diabetes, heart disease, arthritis or another chronic condition.

Chronic care management helps patients manage chronic diseases and address potential issues sooner through ongoing support and services. CCM reduces the overall usage of healthcare services, lowers the need for emergent and urgent care, and ensures timely, appropriate, and not duplicated healthcare services are delivered. As a result, chronic disease management costs are reduced.

CCM services cannot begin until you have had an initial visit. CCM services must be discussed face-to-face, but no special appointment is required. It is possible to schedule an initial visit as part of an already scheduled service, such as an annual wellness checkup.
 
It is necessary for your provider to discuss CCM services with you during your in-person visit in order for it to count as an initial visit. You are responsible for part of the bill for CCM services, so your provider should get your consent in writing or verbally.
 
During your initial visit, your provider or healthcare provider should outline a comprehensive care plan tailored to your needs. There may be a need for an additional in-person visit to complete this process. Subsequent visits may involve meeting with a specialist, monitoring medication, or a wide range of other potential elements of care. Given how varied chronic conditions can be, treatment must be tailored to each individual patient.
 
Talk to a physician at Invara Pharmacy & Clinic to determine if CCM is right for you. We are located at 31111 U.S. Rte 2, Sultan, WA 98294. For more information, contact us or schedule an appointment online. We serve patients from Sultan WA, Monroe WA, Startup WA, Gold Bar WA, Woods Creek WA, and surrounding areas.