Jensen Laura L, Drozek David S, Grega Meagan L, Gobble John
Independent Researcher, Athens, Ohio (LLJ).
Ohio University Heritage College of Osteopathic Medicine, Athens, Ohio (DSD).
Am J Lifestyle Med. 2018 Dec 10;13(3):246-252. doi: 10.1177/1559827618817294. eCollection 2019 May-Jun.
Preventable and reversible chronic diseases affect millions of Americans, costing the United States billions of dollars annually for treatments that slow the trajectory but fail to address the root cause of illness. Lifestyle medicine is efficacious, and research has shown that this medical approach garners a significant return on investment in the treatment of many chronic diseases. To obtain an overview of successful reimbursement and practice models used by practitioners, American College of Lifestyle Medicine members were invited to participate in an online survey regarding their experience with lifestyle medicine services and reimbursement models. Three hundred and fifty-one respondents with diverse practice structures, geographical locations, and educational backgrounds completed the survey. The results demonstrate that practitioners are utilizing a variety of lifestyle medicine programs and reimbursement and practice models. Seventy-four percent of respondents are currently providing lifestyle medicine, though the majority do not receive reimbursement for their services. This study provides examples of successful lifestyle medicine reimbursement and practice models, as well as demonstrates the need for continued advocacy for sustainable reimbursement of lifestyle medicine services.
可预防和可逆的慢性疾病影响着数百万美国人，美国每年花费数十亿美元用于治疗，这些治疗虽能减缓疾病发展轨迹，但未能解决疾病的根本原因。生活方式医学是有效的，研究表明，这种医学方法在治疗许多慢性疾病方面能获得显著的投资回报。为了全面了解从业者使用的成功报销和实践模式，美国生活方式医学学院的成员受邀参与一项关于他们在生活方式医学服务和报销模式方面经验的在线调查。351名具有不同实践结构、地理位置和教育背景的受访者完成了调查。结果表明，从业者正在采用各种生活方式医学项目以及报销和实践模式。74%的受访者目前正在提供生活方式医学服务，不过大多数人并未因提供这些服务而获得报销。本研究提供了成功的生活方式医学报销和实践模式的示例，同时也表明需要持续倡导为生活方式医学服务提供可持续的报销。
