Cost-Saving Strategies Through PCP-Prescribed Therapies in HF

EP: 1.Classification of Heart Failure

EP: 2.Pillars of HF Therapy and Evidence-Based Recommendations Based on Ejection Fraction Status

EP: 3.Aligning Value Statements and Cost-Effective Coverage In Accordance With ACC Guidelines

EP: 4.Economic Burden Associated with HF-Related Comorbid Disease

EP: 5.Transformative Opportunities in Population Health for Patients With HF

EP: 6.Notable Updates to ACC Guidelines

EP: 7.Recognizing Risk Factors to Mitigate Pre-Heart Failure

EP: 8.Real-World Approaches to Treatment Sequencing for HF with Reduced and Preserved Ejection Fraction

EP: 9.Using Population Health Strategies to Reduce Readmissions and Morbidity in HF

EP: 10.Cost of Care Driven by Early ACC Guideline-Directed Therapy in HF

EP: 11.Pivotal Clinical Trials Shaping HF Treatment Landscape

EP: 12.Switching to Appropriate Guideline-Directed Therapy to Improve HF Patient Outcomes

EP: 13.Balancing Payer Utilization Strategies With Clinical Effectiveness in HF

EP: 14.SGLT2 Inhibitor Impact on Hospitalization Reduction and HF Disease Progression

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EP: 15.Cost-Saving Strategies Through PCP-Prescribed Therapies in HF

EP: 16.Improving HF Population Health Management and Collaborative Care

EP: 17.Navigating Multidisciplinary HF Treatment With Multiple Comorbidities

EP: 18.Patient and Provider Perceptions Surrounding Affordability for HF Treatments

EP: 19.Identifying Unmet Needs Surrounding Patients With Heart Failure

EP: 20.A Population Health Approach to Managing Heart Failure

Ryan Haumschild, PharmD, MS, MBA: Dr Murillo, when we think about people prescribing these therapies earlier on—often primary care providers because there aren’t enough specialists to go around for everybody—how do we incorporate best practices? What are some of the cost savings you think managed care executives will see based on everyone prescribing these agents more appropriately? Do you see decreases in readmissions? Do you see other reductions in total cost of care? I’m curious about your thoughts.

Jaime Murillo, MD: The obvious answer is yes. In randomized clinical trials and, interestingly enough, some subgroups, we’ve done some analyses where we see an even bigger effect. Who will benefit best from what? That’s still a future opportunity. From the private care physician standpoint, we have seen some significant efforts if we talk about managed care in the ACOs [accountable care organizations]. ACOs tend to have more of the team dedicated to identifying patients at risk and making sure the transition from hospitalizations is more adequate, that those physicians are in quicker contact with the patients after leaving hospitals, that they get cared for, and that they have guideline-directed medical therapy. Because they realize that there’s a clear savings opportunity from that standpoint. That’s why I was referring to the opportunity to engage in a more of a collaboration with the specialist.

As a cardiologist, I remember seeing many patients in the office whom I thought I could have solved with a phone call. Wouldn’t it be great if the primary care physician or the hospitalist, as Dr [Rohit] Uppal can tell you, could grab the phone and ask, “What do you think about this patient?” You can take care of more people that way. I’m telling you these stories for more providers to start thinking about: Can we together get to a system where there’s more value-based care? Because that’s the future. Then we don’t have to worry about the cost of medications, whether that’s going to be enough.

Patients with heart failure aren’t well served when we use what I used to call the Walmart approach: “What was the medication that costs the least? That’s what we’re going to start them on.” Dr [Jim] Januzzi likes to start those patients on sacubitril/valsartan. There are groups who benefit from starting on those, probably most of them. Or SGLT2s. But most people say, “Only beta-blockers and MRAs [mineralocorticoid receptor antagonists], because that’s all we can afford.” But if you’re in an environment where there’s more of a team approach, it isn’t about how much you’re billed for a visit or a procedure. It’s about whether this person in front of me is going to be healthier in 6 to 12 months. The patient gets better, but also the total cost of care will be lower.

Transcript edited for clarity.