The effect of primary care management on lipids testing and LDL-C control of elderly patients with comorbidities.

Purpose: This article presents results of a randomized clinical trial evaluating the effectiveness of the Medicare Coordinated Care Demonstration, Illinois site, on selected clinical outcomes over 36 months.

Primary Practice Settings: Interdisciplinary teams, located at primary care practices, provided case and disease management services to 999 patients.

Results: Intervention group patients had higher lipids-testing rates during the first 2 years than control group patients.

Managing elders with comorbidities.

Carle's Medicare Coordinated Care Demonstration care/disease management interventional components, based on the chronic care model, are described for elderly patients in 13 counties in Illinois. Patients enrolled in the program are diagnosed with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, coronary artery disease, diabetes, atrial fibrillation, or congestive heart failure. Primary care teams are made up of a primary care physician, an advanced practice nurse, a nurse case manager, and a case assistant.