Cardium Health’s Disease Management Programs Demonstrate Strong First Year Clinical and Financial Outcomes for GMP Trust

Farmington, CT (March 2004) — Cardium Health, a leading provider of heart disease and diabetes disease management programs serving Fortune 1000 companies, presented strong first year clinical and financial outcomes for G.M.P. - Employers Retiree Trust. Cardium achieved first-year net savings for the Trust of over $550,000—an impressive 280% return on investment—as a direct result of reducing the rate of hospitalizations for heart disease participants and reducing the rate of complications for diabetic participants.

Cardium Health achieved significant clinical results for the Trust as well. Utilization of medications, primarily statins, beta blockers, and ACE inhibitors, increased 14% for heart participants, while moderate exercise duration rose 18% for heart disease participants and 29% for diabetic participants. Abnormal cholesterol levels reverted to normal in the first year and hemoglobin A1c tests improved by 3%. More than 75% of the Trust’s eligible individuals are currently enrolled in the Cardium programs.

According to Charleen Ernst, president and CEO, “Cardium is very pleased to demonstrate a significant return on investment and positive clinical results for the Trust’s CAD and diabetes population. We expect to see significant increases in the Trust’s clinical and financial outcomes as the Trust’s participants continue to assimilate healthy lifestyle changes over time through frequent and personalized telephone counseling based on each participant’s individual needs.”

Says Jim Chitwood, Executive Director for the Trust, “Heart disease and diabetes has been a major cost driver for us, accounting for significant costs annually in hospitalization and related costs. The Trust’s strategy to manage the medical and disability costs of heart disease and other chronic diseases involves positive and measurable clinical and financial outcomes with a significant return on investment. In selecting a disease management vendor, we looked for a program that could deliver value through life-changing disease management counseling that significantly reduces hospital utilization and costs for our benefit plan. Already, choosing Cardium Health is proving to be a wise cost management decision by the trustees.”

Contact
Jennifer Kaduk
marketing@cardiumhealth.com
860.677.8900

About Cardium Health: Cardium Health is a national health improvement and disease management company. As one of the leading providers of disease management programs to large, self-insured employers, the company’s core focus is on reducing healthcare costs by providing medical support and educational interventions to those individuals with chronic conditions. The Company’s people-centered disease management programs are based on proven clinical and economic best-practice protocols. They include such conditions as heart disease, diabetes, asthma, COPD, back pain and smoking, and easily integrate into employers' back-to-work and wellness initiatives. For more information about Cardium Health and its programs, visit www.cardiumhealth.com, email cardium@cardiumhealth.com, or call 860.677.8900.