Presentation (CTI)

OBJECTIVES: Heart failure (HF) imposes high morbidity and economic burdens. Effective strategies to reduce this burden are a pressing need. This study evaluated the impact of a digital cardiovascular (CV) self-management program on economic and healthcare utilization outcomes in adults with HF.
METHODS: We analyzed real-world medical claims from individuals with HF who enrolled in the digital health program, which uses behavioral strategies and medication optimization to support active CV self-management. A propensity score-matched difference-in-differences design compared cost and utilization 1 year before and after enrollment. Outcomes included total medical spend, CV spend, primary care use, ER visits, and inpatient days and admissions. Program effects were estimated using generalized linear models.
RESULTS: Matched cohorts included 292 participants in each arm (mean age 56 years; 45% female). During the pre-enrollment year, average medical spend was $24,988 for program participants (PP) and $22,992 for controls. Baseline utilization per 100 participants were as follows: primary care visits (PP = 1,000, controls = 957), ER visits (PP = 96, controls = 79), inpatient admissions (PP = 78, controls = 68), inpatient days (PP = 423, controls = 522). In baseline adjusted models, program participation was associated with lower post-period spending (DiD = -$7,001 per PP; p = 0.037), increased primary care utilization (DiD = +139 visits per 100 PP; p < 0.001), fewer inpatient days (DiD = -297 per 100 PP; p < 0.001), fewer admissions (DiD = -47 per 100 PP; p < 0.001), and fewer ER encounters, although this was not statistically significant (DiD = -8.4 per 100 PP; p = 0.619).
CONCLUSIONS: A digital health intervention for patients with HF was associated with significant reductions in healthcare costs and utilization. These findings highlight the potential of technology-enabled CV management programs to improve outcomes and reduce economic burden in high-risk HF populations.