This month, the MACC Task Force recognizes Asthma and Allergy Awareness Month with a suite of informational resources focused on respiratory health conditions and care coordination as part of the ongoing Care for Us Project. The resources – including this blog and a previously published one – have been developed in partnership with Task Force member Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America (AAFA).
In a previous blog, we dove into the care coordination challenges that abound for Americans with chronic respiratory conditions. Meryl Bloomrosen, Senior Vice President of Policy, Advocacy and Research at AAFA, provided insights into the multitude of challenges that make care coordination uniquely difficult in the respiratory health space.
When it comes to achieving care coordination for people with respiratory health conditions, Bloomrosen stresses the importance of focusing on the whole person, not just one aspect of the person’s health. “A lack of care coordination adds to uncertainty and confusion and may ultimately harm the patient,” she said. “Respiratory health conditions such as asthma and allergies require ongoing patient self-management and clinical care coordination.”
She also highlights that, “Medicare Advantage plans often provide more opportunity for stronger and consistent care coordination, disease management and prevention services.”
Even when patients receive excellent clinical care, the fact that indoor and outdoor environmental triggers can exacerbate respiratory conditions mean that non-clinical barriers (such as not having access to an air conditioner, having a broken fan, or being around someone who is smoking) may make the chronic respiratory condition worse. Bloomrosen recommends focusing on several important areas to improve care coordination: prevention; patient and caregiver education; open and transparent communication between patients and providers; and self-management.
On the prevention front, educating patients about what triggers their conditions can make a big difference in reducing exacerbations, as can referring them to appropriate specialists and making sure they have regular check-ups. Bloomrosen notes that many patients may not take their prescribed medications because they believe they don’t need them when their asthma seems under control, but that can often make the conditions worse. Similarly, ensuring that patients know how to use their inhalers– and when to use them – to treat their asthma can help maintain asthma control and reduce attacks.
Caregivers can play a valuable role in improving both the use of preventive services and taking appropriate medications. “Education and awareness applies to the patient, their loved ones, and their caregivers when addressing asthma and allergies. Family members can help advocate for the individual during doctor’s visits and help bring the patient’s perspectives, needs and concerns to discussions with providers,” Bloomrosen says.
The good news is that recognized guidelines of care for treating respiratory conditions such as asthma already exist, and proven preventive strategies have been implemented in communities. Bloomrosen suggests that including these guidelines in care pathways and clinical decision support systems in electronic health records for people with asthma will greatly improve the consistency and level of care they receive.
Bloomrosen tells us that where people live is especially important to how they are impacted by asthma and allergies. For a better understanding of disparities among people in Medicare, she points to the Mapping Medicare Disparities (MMD) tool developed by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS). The tool shows surprising differences in prevalence rates for asthma and COPD by state, as well as differences in Medicare spending.
Also this month, the Task Force released the following resources in recognition of National Asthma and Allergy Awareness Month: