Evidence-Based Medicine is the Key
Focusing the expertise of its pharmacy management capabilities, CIGNA
(NYSE:CI) has been able to dramatically improve health outcomes and
reduce medical costs for individuals enrolled in various clinical
programs the company offers.
Since 2004, CIGNA has reported on the savings it has been able to
achieve through its Outcome Improvement Programs, which encourage
customers to take their medications appropriately to achieve better
health. The most recent findings from 2008 demonstrate that millions of
dollars in medical costs can be avoided by adhering to evidence-based
medicine and the appropriate use of prescription medications. The 2008
findings include:
A 74 percent medication adherence rate resulting in 50 percent of the
people in the cholesterol program reaching their cholesterol goals, a 78
percent decrease in LDL (bad cholesterol) levels, with 262 heart attacks
avoided annually for a $6.6 million savings in over-all medical costs
for individuals in the program.
A 34 percent increased use of medications used to control asthma which
meant fewer emergency room visits and hospitalizations due to the
condition. The result was a 50 percent reduction in medical costs for
people in the program.
A medication adherence rate of 84 percent for people with diabetes, with
19 percent reaching their hemoglobin A1C (blood sugar) goals.
Hospitalizations were reduced by 18 percent and emergency room visits by
13 percent, with an over-all medical cost reduction of 24 percent. These
results led the company to develop the first outcome based contract with
a pharmaceutical manufacturer. (CIGNA
and Merck Sign Performance-Based Contract)
A 35 percent increase in the completion of depression treatment plans,
which studies show means fewer instances of relapse, resulting in an 18
percent reduction in medical and behavioral health care costs.
“Pharmacy benefit management companies that have a narrow view of only
managing prescription medications miss the opportunity to help improve
people's over-all health outcomes, which has been shown to reduce the
much larger expense…total medical costs,” said Eric Elliott, president
of CIGNA Pharmacy Management.
