The Rising Impact of Heart Failure on American Seniors

Approximately 6.7 million Americans are currently living with heart failure, and that number is only expected to increase in the coming years. 

Much of this increase can be attributed to our aging population, but it also highlights the need for more preventative, comprehensive, and quality cardiology care. 

As cardiologists, it's important to understand how each patient interaction can lead to better health outcomes while alleviating the substantial cost burden associated with managing heart failure.

The Hidden Cost of Heart Failure

Heart failure is one of the leading causes of death in the U.S., mentioned on 13.4% of all death certificates in 2018. 

1.25 million people who were hospitalized in 2018 had heart failure, and it’s a major expense in U.S. healthcare, costing more than $30 billion a year.

If we want to reduce healthcare costs and keep patients out of hospitals, we need to find ways to prevent, diagnose, and treat heart failure more effectively.

The Current Limitations of Heart Failure Treatment

Despite advancements in medical therapies, the management of heart failure still faces significant challenges, particularly in optimizing goal-directed medical therapy and harnessing the full potential of care teams. The growing prevalence of heart failure not only strains cardiologists' patient loads but also underscores the critical need for a more proactive approach to care. 

One notable limitation lies in the underutilization and titration of goal-directed medical therapy, a cornerstone in managing heart failure. While evidence-based guidelines outline clear pathways for medication optimization to achieve therapeutic targets, implementation in clinical practice often falls short. This discrepancy leads to suboptimal treatment outcomes and increases the risk of adverse events. 

Moreover, the fragmented nature of healthcare delivery often results in a lack of coordination among care team members, including physicians, nurses, pharmacists, and care coordinators.

This disjointed approach can impede the seamless integration of care and limit the comprehensive support available to heart failure patients. By leveraging the expertise of multidisciplinary care teams, providers can enhance patient education, medication adherence, and symptom management, ultimately improving outcomes and reducing the likelihood of high-cost acute events.

Addressing these limitations requires a paradigm shift towards a more collaborative and patient-centric model of care. Fostering a culture of continuous quality improvement and investing in robust care coordination mechanisms are essential steps toward delivering personalized and cost-effective care to individuals living with heart failure.

How a Value-Based Care Model Can Benefit Heart Failure Patients

It’s evident that we need a new paradigm for referring and delivering care for heart failure patients. Embracing value-based care provides a clear path in addressing the challenges of health care delivery. This model incentivizes collaboration and personalized interventions, encompassing preventative measures and treatments attuned to the non-clinical needs and social determinants of health.

And with the help of Chamber, the transition to value-based care is easier than ever before. 

We handle all the value-based contracts, while leaving your current fee-for-service contracts intact, and even provide support for office administration to help manage patient load and equip cardiologists with evidence-backed insights to help them in their delivery of care.

Through strategic partnerships with practices and payers, Chamber amplifies the reach of cardiologists, fostering expansive networks of resources and connections. By empowering cardiologists to deliver the highest quality care for those with heart failure, everyone benefits.

 With the burden of heart failure costing our healthcare system time, energy, and money, value-based care is positioned to reward cardiologists for timely and effective care. With Chamber, practices are rewarded for doing what they do best; taking care of their patients.

If you’re ready to learn more, let’s connect. Get in touch with us today to get started.