A Helping Hand Between Office Visits
At Clifton-Fine Primary Care we know managing all your care needs, from routine health maintenance to advice from specialists and changes in medications can be complicated, but it doesn’t have to be. That’s why we’ve partnered with Care Harmony to offer a Chronic Care Management Program for Medicare patients living with more than one chronic condition.
Care Coordination
Clifton-Fine Primary Care offers a service that can help you navigate these challenges. Our CareHarmony care coordination service is designed to help you take care of you! You will benefit by receiving monthly telephone assistance in between your regular appointments. This includes a dedicated Care Coordinator to guide you towards better health.
Chronic Care Management extends your care outside of the four walls of your physician’s practice to ensure that you maintain the best possible health. Each month your Care Coordinator will call you to:
- Assist with scheduling appointments, lab tests or other tests
- Explain how and when to take your medications
- Coordinate any home health or medical equipment needs
- Connect you with health education resources, services and programs
- Identify available community resources
- Coordinate follow-up care after leaving the hospital
- Access other support services you need to stay well
There is also a 24/7 Care Coordinator Phone Line to help answer any questions you may have day or night outside of your calls with your Care Coordinator.
Cost and Coverage
This service is covered by Medicare and is subject to your annual deductible and coinsurance (usually 20%). If you have a secondary or supplemental insurance plan, your coinsurance may be covered. It is best to review exactly what your insurance plan covers.
While you can only sign up for Chronic Care Management services with one of your CareHarmony care coordinators, you are able to opt out any time—there are no strings attached.
Chronic Care Management FAQ:
What is Chronic Care Management?
Chronic Care Management is a care coordination program designed by Medicare to help patients better manage their chronic conditions. It was designed to give you greater support and access to care between office visits, even while at home.
What is a chronic condition?
A chronic condition is an ongoing, long-lasting health condition, which will require continual management and treatment. Left untreated, a chronic condition can hinder independence and negatively impact health. A few examples of chronic conditions include asthma, diabetes, arthritis, hypertension, and heart disease.
What is care coordination?
Care Coordination is the deliberate organization of patient care activities and sharing information among all of the participants concerned with a patient’s care to achieve safer and more effective care. Care Coordination services (like those that are part of Medicare’s Chronic Care Management program) provide extra layers of support and care between doctor visits to eligible patients who have two or more chronic conditions.
Who is eligible?
To be eligible for the Chronic Care Management program you must be a Medicare beneficiary and have multiple (two or more) chronic conditions expected to last at least 12 months, or until end of life. If you are unsure if your conditions qualify contact your primary care provider and they will be able to assist you further.
Do I have to be a Medicare member?
Yes. At this point the program is only being offered to Medicare patients.
Why does my doctor want this for me?
Managing and coordinating care can be especially difficult if you suffer from multiple chronic conditions. You may be seeing different types of doctors or taking several medications. For every medication you take, it’s important to know how it reacts with other medications. For every doctor you see, there are test results or health information that needs to be shared. When your care is coordinated properly, your doctors get the information they need when they need it.