Letter to Society members from President Richard L. Page, MD, FHRS
November 1, 2009
Dear Heart Rhythm Society Member,
Approximately 2.5 million Americans live with Atrial Fibrillation (AF). As the elderly population increases in the U.S., this number is expected to grow to 5.6 million by the year 2050, with more than 50 percent of affected individuals older than 80 years of age. To approach this growing health concern, the Heart Rhythm Society, along with 23 other organizations, recently participated in the AF Stat™ working group, Chaired by Eric Prystowsky, MD, FHRS, past president of the Heart Rhythm Society.
As part of the AF Stat, Avalere Health prepared a report (PDF, 303K) that highlights specific steps to improve quality and lower costs of AF in Medicare. A common, progressive and debilitating cardiovascular disease, AF also is very costly to treat and manage. Given the incidence, prevalence, and life-threatening complications of AF increasing with age, Medicare is forced to absorb a majority of the substantial clinical and economic burden.
The Avalere Health report:
- describes the burden of AF on the Medicare program
- illustrates the current state of AF Medicare quality improvement efforts
- identifies potential strategies to improve the quality of care and patient outcomes for AF patients, and reduce healthcare costs
Enclosed is a copy of the report for your review. The Heart Rhythm Society’s AF 360° disease state initiative represents the Society’s unparalleled commitment to engage providers, payers, government and patient advocates through long-term, comprehensive and coordinated efforts to address this disease state. Our AF 360° Resource Center includes: Science and Research, Education and Resources, and Health Policy and Advocacy.
Please visit www.HRSonline.org to learn more about the Society’s AF 360° disease state initiative and the current programs supporting AF education, advocacy and research.
Sincerely,
Richard L. Page, MD, FHRS, CCDS
President, Heart Rhythm Society
