Asthma

More Americans than ever before have asthma, which is now one of this country’s most common and costly diseases.

Every day, 40,000 people miss school or work due to asthma, and more than one-fourth of all emergency room visits in the U.S. are asthma-related. According to the American Lung Association, asthma is the third leading cause of hospitalizations among children under the age of 15.

Program Goals

The Humana asthma disease management program offers education to members so they can understand their disease better and take a more active role in controlling it. Major goals of the program are to encourage adherance to the doctor's treatment plan and prevent avoidable hospitalizations.

Services provided

The asthma program includes:

Educational materials and monitoring in the areas of proper asthma management and control
Where available, home respiratory therapist visits; otherwise, assessment from a respiratory therapist by phone
Follow-up by phone with a respiratory therapist
Environmental assessment to identify asthma triggers
Durable medical equipment and instruction, including a peak flow meter and spacer
Communication with healthcare provider to develop an asthma action plan if the member does not have one
Smoking cessation education

The bottom line

Past program results have shown:

13 percent reduction in emergency room visits
32 percent reduction in hospital admissions
29 percent reduction in hospital bed days

These programs and tools are not insurance products and are not guaranteed under any contract. Humana is not required to provide these services.

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