Asthma/COPD: A Payer's Perspective

Course overview

Asthma and COPD are chronic respiratory diseases that affect the lives of millions of people. COPD was the reason for 8.1 million emergency department visits in the U.S. in 2018 and together with asthma is the fourth leading cause of death for Americans (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention [CDC], 2021b). Asthma caused 1.6 million ED visits that same year as well as 9.8 million primary care office visits (CDC, 2021a). Chronic lower respiratory diseases are among the costliest diseases to manage and treat. However, there are steps that can be taken to help make the treatment of these diseases less costly. This course provides information about improving outcomes through best practices and effective cost strategies in caring for adults with asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). The goal of this course is to provide case management, nursing, and social work professionals with information about asthma and COPD management.