Chronic Care Management

As many as 117 million Americans have at least one chronic health condition, like diabetes or hypertension, while up to one in four adults have two or more conditions. Shawn Hamilton, MD, and the highly skilled practitioners at Spruce Medical Group offer compassionate chronic care management services in Irvine, California, if you have a chronic condition. Learn more about how chronic care management can benefit you by booking an exam online or calling the office today.

Why do I need chronic care management?

Chronic care management (CCM) is a branch of health care services often covered by Medicare if you have two or more chronic diseases. You may need chronic care management if you have health conditions that are expected to last at least 12 months, including:

• Rheumatoid arthritis or osteoarthritis 
• High cholesterol (hyperlipidemia)
• Acute myocardial infarction
• Chronic kidney disease
• Alzheimer’s disease
• Hypertension 
• Heart failure
• Diabetes 
• Cancer 
• Asthma 
• Obesity

Chronic care management includes a host of other conditions, too, so it’s best to have an evaluation with your internist to see if CCM is right for you. 

What is included in chronic care management?

Chronic care management is entirely personalized to your health and your lifestyle. Your dedicated physician at Spruce Medical Group may provide any of the following health care services:

• Telemedicine visits
• Weight loss management 
• Referrals to outside specialists
• Dietary and nutritional counseling
• Prescription medication management
• Expanded screenings and laboratory testing  
• 24-7 access to a dedicated team of health care providers

Your chronic care management plan is monitored on an electronic platform, so your dedicated practitioner has fast, easy, and secure access to your records anytime you may need treatment. 

Do I need to give consent for chronic care management?

Yes. Once you and your doctor at Spruce Medical Group determine which health conditions are affecting you, consent is required to begin chronic care management. Generally, you can consent to begin CCM care by signing a document or agreeing verbally. 

In either case, chronic care management consent is documented in your medical record for billing purposes. 

How long does chronic care management last?

Throughout your chronic care management plan, your physician creates problem lists, expected outcomes and prognoses, and measurable health goals so you can work together to improve your health. 

CCM services typically last at least a year or until your conditions improve. In severe cases, you may need lifelong chronic care management services from Spruce Medical Group.

If you need chronic care management, schedule an evaluation at Spruce Medical Group today. Click on the online scheduler, or call the clinic to speak with a team member.