Summary
This study measured possible racial/ethnic differences in a Florida disease management (DM) program on utilization of selected healthcare services for four chronic illnesses. Disease management patients in the postperiod had significantly lower annual rates of inpatient days, emergency department visits, and outpatient visits across most racial/ethnic groups. Disease management reduced utilization by a similar absolute amount in each racial/ethnic group. However, baseline disparities in utilization of inpatient days were not reduced by the DM program. Disease management has a similar effect across different racial/ethnic groups but may not ameliorate important baseline disparities. Evaluations of DM programs should account for baseline disparities in utilization and examine whether those disparities can be reduced through DM.