DISEASE MANAGEMENT

Lovelace’s LIFELONG Steps is a free disease management program for members identified with the following chronic conditions:

• Asthma
• Type 2 Diabetes
• Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD)
• Heart Failure
• High Cholesterol

Telephone counseling is a key intervention for those members at higher risk for complications. Registered nurses (RN) call members to discuss concerns, educate, provide guidance about medicines, recommend laboratory tests or exams, and assist the member with setting realistic goals. Periodic calls occur to follow-up with members on the goals and lifestyle behavior changes they’ve started, and to encourage ongoing self-care. Members not currently getting phone calls from an RN may receive reminder notices for tests and exams that are due or written materials that give information about their disease. However, all enrolled members (those getting routine phone calls and those who are not) are welcomed to contact the program and speak with a nurse if they have questions about their disease.

Another condition managed in the LIFELONG Steps program is called Healthy Weight. This program is for members who are ready to make long-term life style changes in order to lose and/or maintain a healthy weight. Members can simply call the program number to participate. No referral is necessary.

 Stop Tobacco for Optimal Prevention (S.T.O.P.) program is another self-referral program offered to Lovelace Community Health Plan members who want help with quitting smoking or using other tobacco products. The S.T.O.P. program offers seven individual phone-counseling sessions over a two-month period. The program is individualized to help each member prepare to quit and identify strategies to prevent relapse.