Virtual CHF and COPD Treatment Supports Improved Employee Health

Help your employees manage chronic cardiopulmonary conditions with a virtual care solution.

Congestive heart failure (CHF) and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) are incurable, but manageable, health conditions. Both are progressive diseases that get worse over time when untreated. Causes include genetic factors, workplace toxins, and/or lifestyle behaviors like smoking.

Regular preventive and follow-up care is essential for CHF and COPD treatment, as is day-to-day condition management. Highmark has added a virtual cardiopulmonary management solution to our group health plan options. The solution includes live health coaching, remote health monitoring devices, patient education, and mental health support. 

What is CHF?

Congestive heart failure (CHF) occurs when the heart is unable to pump blood properly, leading to a buildup of fluid in the body. This congestion of fluid often causes swelling in the ankles and legs. Fluid can collect in the lungs, creating a condition known as pulmonary edema. CHF can also negatively impact kidney health, due to retained water.

The American Heart Association expects health care costs for CHF and other cardiovascular conditions to rise steadily.¹ Treatment for risk factors (high blood pressure, high cholesterol, obesity) will triple, reaching over $1 trillion by 2050. Care costs for cardiovascular disease will quadruple in the same period, again reaching above $1 trillion. Employers can also expect a 54% increase in loss of productivity, estimated at $361 billion in indirect cost.

What is COPD?

Highmark offers CHF and COPD management, powered by Vida, as an optional add-on for our employer group plan customers. Neither condition is curable, but both are manageable with regular care and timely intervention.

The CHF and COPD management solution provides a member-centric experience that includes:

• Education and digital tools for living with a chronic condition.
• Live one-on-one health coaching with CHF and/or COPD specialists.
• Regular mental health check-ins to ensure whole-person wellness.
• Pulse oximeter to remotely measure oxygen levels in the blood.
• Blood pressure monitoring to help control high blood pressure (above 120/70).
• Digital scale to track weight and weight loss under the program.

The pulse oximeter, blood pressure monitor, and digital scale are all remotely connected to the program’s digital app. Daily upload of vital signs helps providers assess progress toward health goals.

Highmark Health Plan members are achieving good results with the CHF and COPD management solution. Key metrics include:⁴

• 97% satisfaction rate with CHF and COPD coaches.
• 50% improvement in compliance with primary care provider (PCP) visits.
• 33% better compliance with use of inhalers for treatment.
• 15% reduction in hospitalizations.
• 8% reduction in emergency room visits.

Helping employees with CHF and COPD

There are many ways companies can help employees with chronic conditions like CHF and COPD. Some of these include:

• Making accommodations for remote work, flexible scheduling, and/or revised work duties.
• Offering time off for provider visits and daily oxygen therapy as prescribed.
• Removing employees from hazardous roles that worsen their condition.
• Providing a smoke-free workplace, along with a smoking cessation program.
• Setting aside accessible parking spots for people with disabilities or chronic conditions.
• Creating a culture of wellness that includes healthy food and snack options and fitness facilities.
• Building awareness by recognizing American Heart Month (February) and National COPD Awareness Month (November).

Some employees may need to retire on disability even with workplace accommodations and proper care. In these cases, employers can help by preparing essential paperwork and consulting on next steps.

Talk to your client manager or broker for more information on the virtual CHF and COPD management program. Also ask about other add-on solutions for mental well-being, diabetes management, and musculoskeletal and pelvic health.