INTERNATIONAL RESEARCH & OPINION

Regulatory and Healthcare News DM project targets Alzheimer's A 3-year demonstration disease management (DM) project is underway in the US to provide data that can ultimately be used to quantify both the cost of Alzheimer's disease and the financial and clinical impact of DM programmes.* An additional goal is to prove that the model can work in a variety of organisational settings ranging from staff-model health maintenance organisations to independent practice associations. Started by the National Chronic Care Consortium (NCCC) and the Alzheimer's Association, the project reflects the growing need for proven DM strategies for patients with dementia. Under the project, a new model called the Chronic Care Network for Alzheimer's Disease is being established via partnerships between local chapters of the Alzheimer's Association, medical and community provider networks and managed-care organisations. Although Alzheimer's disease and related types of dementia are the leading cause of long-term care placement for the elderly, the disease has not attracted the attention of DM vendors, notes the NCCC. Yet estimates suggest that the cost of treating a patient with dementia may be 70-200% greater than that for a person without Alzheimer's disease.

* Expectations are that preliminary outcomes will be released in about 6 months. These results will be available via the internet, along with the project's tools, and can be downloaded/or free (http://www.nccconline.com).

A1zheimer's DM demonstration project kicks off. Disease Management 800T7"47 News 4:3-4, 10 Jun 1999

1173-5503199/0218-000111$0100° Adl.lntAlrnatlonal Limited 1999. All rlght• .--rved

PhamtacoEconomics & 0utc0/716S News 26 Jun 1999 No. 218

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