Who Qualifies for Chronic Care Management for Asthma?

Though triggers, symptoms, and frequency of flare-ups differ, asthma is a chronic breathing disorder that requires lifelong medical care. Whether your symptoms are mild and only occur when you exercise in the winter or your symptoms are severe and present year-round, asthma is with you for life.

Who qualifies for chronic care management for asthma? In short, anyone diagnosed with this chronic lung disease can benefit.

At Respacare in Bridgewater, New Jersey, Dr. Nehal Mehta and Dr. Prashant Patel are pulmonary experts who specialize in comprehensive asthma care. 

We want to explain what chronic care management for asthma includes, who qualifies, and how it helps breathing and quality of life.

What is chronic care management?

According to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), chronic care management refers to coordinated, ongoing medical care for people with two or more long-term health conditions. These conditions last at least a year and require ongoing medical attention or affect your daily life in some way.

When not properly managed, many chronic diseases can worsen or lead to other complications that further affect quality of life and increase risk of morbidity and mortality.

Chronic care management monitors your health and symptoms, coordinates care, and makes adjustments to your treatment as needed so you get the best outcomes. 

Asthma: a lifelong disease

Asthma is a chronic lung disease characterized by inflammation and narrowing of the airways, making it hard to breathe. It affects people of all ages. 

You’re more likely to have asthma if it runs in your family. However, having allergies, such as hay fever, may also put you at risk, as does living in an urban environment with higher exposure to air pollution and irritants.

Common symptoms of asthma include:

• Wheezing on the inhale
• Persistent coughing
• Shortness of breath
• Chest tightness

Symptoms may occur from triggers like weather changes, exercise, respiratory infections, allergens, or exposure to smoke. And, sometimes, they occur without a clear cause. Severity of symptoms ranges from mild and intermittent to severe and persistent.

While frequency and severity of symptoms can affect your asthma treatment plan, they don’t change the fact that asthma is a lifelong condition requiring consistent monitoring and care.

Chronic care management for asthma

Chronic care management for asthma is a personalized plan that aims to prevent or minimize asthma flare-ups and keep symptoms under control. 

Treatment may include:

• Bronchodilators: medication to keep the airway open
• Steroids: medication to reduce inflammation
• Combination treatment: bronchodilators and steroids

Asthma medications are often given through inhalers and are taken daily or as needed, depending on the severity of symptoms. 

Chronic care management may also include treatment for co-occurring conditions like allergy injections for allergies or continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) therapy for sleep apnea.

Your plan should also include a written asthma action plan or rescue outlining what to do during a flare-up and when to seek emergency care. 

Do you need chronic care?

If you have asthma along with another chronic medical condition, you likely qualify for chronic care management under CMS guidelines. 

Even if your asthma is mild, you still need ongoing medical oversight. Regular monitoring allows us to adjust medications, assess lung function, and prevent worsening symptoms. 

For those with moderate to severe asthma, a structured chronic care management plan is especially beneficial to reduce flare-ups, emergency visits, and hospitalizations.

Are you in need of chronic care management for your asthma? We can help. Call us today or request an appointment online.