ASTHMA

OptumHealth’s Asthma Program is designed to reduce unnecessary hospitalizations and health care costs, reduce absenteeism, and improve quality of life.

The program provides information and resources to help asthma patients:

• Avoid triggers that could induce or aggravate asthma attacks
• Reduce or eliminate risk factors, such as smoking
• Manage their condition through adherence to medication regimens, peak flow meter use and other physician treatment plans
• Monitor their asthma so they can recognize warning signs of an attack and take appropriate actions to resolve it

OptumHealth’s Asthma Program applies the best practices and clinical guidelines of the National Jewish Medical and Research Center and the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI) and includes:

• Comprehensive assessments by specialty-trained registered nurses to determine the appropriate level of intervention
• Focus on adherence with medication regimens and reducing/eliminating risk factors
• Individualized action plans to help program participants monitor symptoms
• Proactive outbound and responsive inbound nurse calls
• Alert reports that are sent to physicians if significant issues are detected and pre-visit reports that are sent to facilitate data sharing on critical findings
• Management of risk factors and co-morbidities, including hypertension and depression
• Educational programs, which include an asthma diary and reinforcement of regular peak flow meter use
• Satisfaction and quality-of-life surveys