Specialized Medicare Plan Brand New Day Seeks to Reverse Disturbing Trend Linking Early Mortality with Mental Illness
Established in 1983, Universal Care, Inc. is owned and operated by an experienced group of managed care executives and physicians.
- Los Angeles-Long Beach, CA (1888PressRelease) July 27, 2018 - Recent studies show that Americans with serious mental illness die 15 to 30 years sooner than the rest of the population. An Oxford University study further identifies the premature death rate by disorder: bipolar 9 to 20 years, schizophrenia 10 to 20 years and depression 7 to 11 years. Surprisingly, it’s not for reasons many would assume like suicide, overdoses or accidents, but for the same reasons that impact the rest of society, e.g., cancer, heart disease, stroke, diabetes and respiratory problems. So why are those struggling with mental illness more likely to die at an earlier age than others?
There are three major reasons says Robert Myers, PhD., a psychologist at Brand New Day, a Medicare-approved health plan that offers a personalized program for those with mental illness.
“The first is that patients with mental illness are difficult for primary care physicians and medical specialists to treat because of cognitive impairment often associated with serious mental illness that results in their being unable to provide an accurate history, difficulty in either understanding or accepting advice and inability to keep appointments and follow recommendations,” explained Myers. “The second is that more attention is given to their mental illness than other symptoms that may be present. Finally, there is a lack of integration of mental and physical care in the healthcare system that results in a lack of attention to chronic medical illness and even less to preventive care.”
Myers says there are a number of other factors that contribute to early mortality among the mentally ill. They experience higher rates of homelessness, poverty and social isolation than the general population and are more likely to be inactive and involved in tobacco, alcohol and drug abuse.
“Compounding the problem is that 50% of them receive no regular medical care or they wait until it’s too late to seek treatment,” he added.
Brand New Day’s Harmony Program is designed expressly for those with mental illness. Staff is specially trained to look past their mental condition and uncover symptoms of medical conditions as well as see that they receive appropriate and consistent preventive care.
“Both healthcare professionals and loved ones of patients with serious mental illness are often so overwhelmed dealing with episodes of psychosis, bouts of suicidal behavior or radical mood swings that controlling cholesterol or managing blood pressure isn’t even on their radar,” said Myers. “Making sure we are meeting all of their needs is our top priority.”
Brand New Day is the Medicare product name of Universal Care, Inc., a privately held California Knox-Keene Healthcare Service Plan licensed by the California Department of Managed Health Care and contracted with the Centers of Medicare and Medicaid Services as a Medicare Advantage contractor.
Established in 1983, Universal Care, Inc. is owned and operated by an experienced group of managed care executives and physicians. For more information, visit BNDHMO.com or call (866) 255-4795.
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