Dive Brief:
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A new study featured in Health Affairs suggests that implementing a national collaborative care model for dementia and/or depression patients could potentially save billions in health care spending.
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Researchers analyzed the cost savings generated by the Healthy Aging Brain Center, a memory care clinic in Indianapolis. The center has had a collaborative care model in place since 2008, including a trained care coordinator, individualized care protocols teaching patients about self-management, resources and counseling for caregivers and standardized tools to measure patients' biosocial needs.
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When researchers compared 303 center patients with 1,453 who didn't receive care there, they found that the center led to an annual savings ranging from $980 to $2856 per patient.
Dive Insight:
At present, collaborative care takes place pretty sporadically, despite its well-publicized benefits. However, research is increasingly suggesting that interventions such as individual and family counseling, care coordination and coaching on self-care not only improve outcomes but also save money.