Insights

<p class="" style="white-space:pre-wrap;">Diabetes remains one of the most complex, widespread, and costly chronic conditions in the US. In fact, with an annual spend of $327 billion, it tops the list for health care costs. This cost burden weighs on patients, as well as their employers, who are struggling to rein in medical spending that squeezes their bottom line. </p>

<p class="" style="white-space:pre-wrap;">In 2018, the United States spent $3.65 trillion dollars on health care spending, with 80% are related to managing chronic disease like diabetes and heart disease. For those over the age of 65, 3/4 currently have a chronic condition and are eligible for Medicare Advantage. Lark has created this infographic to highlight how much chronic conditions are costing Medicare Advantage plans, and how they take control of these costs.</p>

<p class="" style="white-space:pre-wrap;">Currently, healthcare systems tend to treat the sickest few with expensive treatments, while falling short on primary, secondary, and tertiary preventive measures for those with chronic conditions who could benefit. At the same time, there is a shortage in healthcare providers which is expected to grow in coming years.</p>

<p class="" style="white-space:pre-wrap;">Since chronic diseases are the greatest driver of healthcare costs and lost productivity, you cannot afford to ignore their impact. As an employer or insurer, you need to know that 9 in 10 healthcare dollars in the United States are spent on chronic diseases and mental health conditions for a total annual cost of about $3 trillion.</p>

<p class="" style="white-space:pre-wrap;">This study evaluated the impact of a virtual version of the Diabetes Prevention Program (DPP) on healthcare utilization and costs in a Medicare Advantage population. </p>

<p style="white-space: pre-wrap;">The Diabetes Prevention Program is recognized by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) as an effective way to prevent or delay type 2 diabetes among individuals with prediabetes or high type 2 diabetes risk. The DPP has been shown to lower 3-year diabetes risk by over 50%. </p>

<p style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Prescription medications can save lives and improve quality of life when used properly, but they are not always as effective as they could be. That is not because of poor medical care or problems with the drugs themselves. Rather, there is a major problem with medication non-adherence.</p>

<p style="white-space:pre-wrap;">Diabetes is taking a toll on the country’s healthcare system and economy. The condition affects 1 in 8 adults, is the seventh-leading cause of death and a common factor in heart disease and stroke. Many providers offer a DPP, but Lark has a digital DPP with full CDC recognition. Lark DPP is a personalized lifestyle coach that is easy to implement and infinitely scalable.</p>

<p style="white-space:pre-wrap;">Prescription medications can often help manage chronic diseases, but their drawbacks can include high upfront costs, side effects or complications, and lack of effectiveness due to low adherence. Lifestyle changes are known to lower risk for and help control many chronic conditions.</p>

Chronic disease management is a necessity, not a choice, for payors. Chronic diseases affect 60% of adults and place, by far, the biggest burden on the healthcare system. Improving chronic disease management processes and outcomes in your organization could lower your costs and improve productivity.

<p style="white-space:pre-wrap;">Given that we know how to prevent diabetes and there are DPP providers nationwide, why are cases of diabetes increasing, and how can we reverse the trend? </p>

<p style="white-space:pre-wrap;">Chronic disease prevention and management strategies can be multi-faceted and targeted towards all three levels of prevention. Realistic strategies must consider cost and cost-effectiveness, reach, and effectiveness. These are some approaches to chronic disease prevention that can have widespread impact.</p>

<p style="white-space: pre-wrap;">But that’s only possible with artificial intelligence and machine learning. So what is AI and why should you care about it for your employees and members?Lark has applied AI and Machine Learning technologies to build a complete chronic condition management solution.</p>