Passport Health Asthma Disease Management Program

The mission of Passport Health Plan is to improve the quality of life of the members we serve. Keeping in line with the mission of the company, the Asthma Disease Management Program strives to educate members and providers about the proper management of persistent asthma according to the NHLBI Asthma Guidelines. The measurement goals of the program include use of asthma controller medications for persistent asthma, refills for reliever medications, ER visits, hospitalizations, and ICU visits for asthma, average length of hospital stay, and co-morbidities of diabetes and pregnancy. The member activities include quarterly member newsletters, asthma educational mailings, further educational mailings and encouragement to follow closely with PCP is sent to high-risk membership, including members seen in the ER or hospital for asthma. One on one contact and intervention is implemented for high-risk members requiring admission to the intensive care unit for asthma. The intensive one on one management includes an initial contact with the member during their hospitalization when possible, attendance at follow-up practitioner visit if requested, and ongoing telephonic education and support. Provider interventions include asthma related articles in the Provider Newsletter, visits to practitioner offices to explain the asthma disease management program, and when requested, office in-services for staff providing asthma education. The Passport Health Plan Asthma Disease Management Program has demonstrated a steady increase in the number of members taking an asthma controller medication. There has also been an overall decrease in the number of members requiring utilization of hospital services for asthma.