Fierce Health Technology November 22, 2021
Chronic diseases are the most costly healthcare problem in the U.S. They account for 90% of the nation’s $3.8 trillion in annual healthcare spending, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. And they’ve long been a target of healthcare reform and digital innovation, from accountable care organizations to virtual programs that nudge and coach patients to better health.
While these efforts can be highly effective for diseases like diabetes and hypertension, they come up short for more complex chronic conditions like inflammatory bowel disease (IBD).
That’s because the best way to manage complex chronic diseases runs counter to existing solutions—limiting specialty care to drive down costs isn’t part of the equation, nor is relying on patient education and...