Chronic Care Management Q&A

Someone may qualify for chronic care management if they have any of the following conditions:

• Diabetes
• Hypertension
• Alzheimer’s Disease and Related Dementia
• Arthritis (Osteoarthritis and Rheumatoid)
• Asthma
• Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD)
• Cancer
• Cardiovascular Disease
• Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease
• Depression
• And Others

Continual Access to Care Management Services — Chronic care managers provide patients with round-the-clock access to healthcare providers in order to address urgent care needs. This does not mean that every practitioner on the care team must be available at all times, but that there is access to a healthcare professional that is able to address their needs in a timely manner, regardless of the time of day or night.

Continuity of Care — Continuity of care means that a patient is able to see the same physician on their care team for routine appointments. This allows patients to have a certain level of consistency of care.

Care Management — Chronic care managers are actively involved in patients’ care, including ensuring patients receive the recommended care services, such as preventative care. They also oversee the patients’ medication management.

Patient-Centered Care Plan — Essential to the highest quality care, chronic care managers create a treatment plan that is tailored to their patients’ specific needs, choices and values. Cognitive ability and environmental factors are taken into consideration, as they may affect a patient’s ability to implement certain components of a care plan.

Help with Care Transitions — Care transitions occur when care shifts between providers or settings, such as being discharged from a hospital.

Chronic care is the coordination of healthcare services performed above and beyond regular office visits for patients with a chronic condition, such as diabetes, high blood pressure (hypertension), or heart disease. Chronic care often incorporates a multidisciplinary coordination of care, and is one of the most involved forms of patient healthcare. Chronic conditions are often lifelong, and require closer care than other acute conditions, as their longer duration can lead to exacerbations and complications. For example, if high blood pressure is left unmanaged, it can lead to heart attack, stroke or heart failure, among others.

Chronic care is covered by most insurance plans, as many will help pay for:

• Doctor office visits
• Lab tests
• Prescription medicines
• Preventive care
• Behavioral health services
• Rehabilitation, including physical therapy and occupational therapy
• Hospital care

If you or someone you love has a chronic condition that requires special care, come to GetWell Urgent Care today! Our providers are experienced in chronic care management and can help you better control your condition. We strive to provide the highest quality care at each and every visit and look forward to helping you live your best life! For more information, contact us today or schedule an appointment online. Visit our clinic conveniently located at 650 W Olive Avenue, Suite B Merced, CA 95348. We serve patients from Merced CA, Atwater CA, The Grove CA, Bear Creek CA, Planada CA, and Athlone CA.