Long-Term Results Evaluation in Medical Management Programs

The evaluation of multiyear programs in medical management becomes increasingly difficult as the program continues. As programs continue to run over a number of years, calculation of results becomes problematic as the comparison "baseline" recedes into the past and program impact reaches a steady state. Purchasers of services to begin to doubt program effectiveness, while methods for calculating economic impact seem increasingly unreliable. The economics of program impact across time requires insight into the drivers of savings and costs at the program level and how each changes with continued program activity. This article will review key concepts in the economic impact of medical management programs over time, and how some of these issues are addressed. (Population Health Management 2011;14:21-25)