Disease management has gained popularity as a way to improve health status and control of chronic illness through the use of risk stratification, targeted nurse outreach, telephonic nurse advice, and evidence-based guidelines in managing illness. Disease management programs have been successfully implemented by commercial insurers and managed care plans, as well as in Medicare and state Medicaid programs. Although evidence regarding cost savings is inconsistent, it appears that disease management programs do impact health status and quality of care, and improve self-management among the chronically ill.

Disease management programs can be customized to meet the needs of vulnerable subpopulations. This article explores the barriers to dealing with chronic illness and other factors faced by disease management programs for Medicaid populations. Barriers to participation and success in disease management for Medicaid beneficiaries are apparent due to lack of access to translation and interpretation services; difficulty with community outreach; achieving buy in from providers and beneficiaries; problems with housing; difficulties accessing primary and specialty care; problems with the availability of pharmacy, durable medical equipment, and other support services; as well as difficulties with Medicaid eligibility and ‘churn’.