Quick Impressions From the Forum10 Care Continuum Alliance Meeting

The Disease Management Care Blog's web traffic is noticeably down and it knows why: many readers are preoccupied with the goings-on at the Forum10 annual meeting of the Care Continuum Alliance (formerly known as the DMAA). So, by the way, is the DMCB, which arrived today and has been catching up with old colleagues and making new acquaintances.

Three quick impressions:

Compared to previous years, the disease management vendor exhibit booths seem larger and more garish. This suggests that the industry is feeling more confident about their future. What's more, there seems to be a wider array of exhibitors with wares in informatics, wellness, prevention and pharmacy, with a special emphasis on interacting with consumers through their cell phones. More on this in a future post.

The DMCB also got the impression that the core disease management companies are being sought out by other entities that are seeking a variety of relationships, partnerships and alliances. Two examples were in the area of Accountable Care Organizations (ACOs) and telecommunications (see above).

Last but not least, this is a crowd with a high level of enthusiasm. Thanks to a combination of cash from the Federal health reform legislation and a reemergence of disease management, a.k.a care management a.k.a population health management as a key ingredient in increasing quality and lowering costs, everyone seems enthused.

The Forum10 continues for another two days and the DMCB will be keeping notes for future postings. If you recognize the DMCB, please say hello. The first person to do so will be rewarded with an increasingly rare "DMAA" lapel pin.