Diabetes Team Based Care Works Better

Although Diabetes patients who are in team based care do not save more in treatment costs under Medicare and Medicaid than other patients, they are healthier. This is the finding of a recent study. Patients, payers as well as employers have to face a high financial burden due to chronic conditions.

In the study Medicaid patients who recieved team based care were compared with patients who did not recieve team based care. The study tried to find out whether medical payments would reduce and whether quality of care would improve for patients. People with chronic conditions often suffered a loss of productivity. These patients only got 56 percent of recommended care according to the study.

Better lifestyle management resulted in better health for team based diabetic care patients. The drug costs were not systematically increased. A muli year study may show a decrease in costs as well. These are interesting findings and may point to a future for diabetics who receive team based care and are able to live healthier and happier.