Personalized support for depression and diabetes patients

  • Published
  • By CiCi A. Moore
  • TriWest Healthcare Alliance
GRAND FORKS AIR FORCE BASE, N.D. --  When it comes to effectively managing a chronic illness, sometimes education can be the best medicine.

TriWest Healthcare Alliance's Condition Management program (previously the Disease Management program) focuses on educating patients on how to improve their health management skills while living with a chronic illness. The program is available at no charge to TRICARE beneficiaries and their family members.

The Condition Management program was previously focused solely on patients living with asthma or heart failure. TriWest has just announced that personalized support is also available for beneficiaries coping with depression or diabetes.

"Nearly 21 million Americans have diabetes and more than 19 million Americans are affected by clinical depression each year," states Kathi Sobera, director of Population Health Improvement at TriWest Healthcare Alliance. "Many TRICARE West Region beneficiaries are affected by these conditions, and TriWest is pleased to offer complimentary, personalized support for members of our military and their families living with depression and diabetes."

Once a beneficiary is enrolled in the Condition Management program, a TriWest clinical health coach will:
· Schedule an appointment to call and review the patient's health status
· Develop a customized educational plan based on the patient's status and personal health goals
· Inform the patient's physician of the patient's program participation
· Work with the patient to reach established goals
· Continue to help the patient as long as he/she wants to participate and work toward achieving wellness goals

TRICARE West Region beneficiaries interested in enrolling in the Condition Management program should call TriWest toll-free at 1-888-259-9378 to see if they are eligible to participate. No referral or prior authorization is necessary.

More information is posted on the Condition Management portal at www.triwest.com  under the "Healthy Living" section.