In the U.S., someone born in 1900 could expect to live, on average, for 48 years. People born in 2000 have a life expectancy of 76 years. We’re all living longer, thanks to improvements in Health care, from vaccines to antibiotics and pharmaceuticals, to better diets, water quality, and sanitation, as well as education.

Our aging population has also led to a larger number of people living with chronic conditions. Unfortunately, those chronic health conditions cost the U.S. $1.1 trillion in 2016, or almost six percent of our GDP. These costs (which continue to escalate) hurt the entire healthcare system, including insurers, providers and patients. In addition, the U.S. is already dealing with a shortage of providers, and spending more time treating patients with chronic illnesses puts a strain on already overworked, burnt-out clinicians, as well as patients who often don’t get the health support they need.

Chronic conditions aren’t just about physical issues. Almost 20% of people in the U.S. have a mental health condition. In 2019, spending for mental health services and treatment reached $225 billion.

The costs of a chronic mental health condition can outweigh the costs of a physical condition. For example, someone with depression might spend 10,836 a year on health costs, while a person with diabetes could spend $4,800 annually on that condition.

It’s no wonder that health plans are looking for ways to reduce costs. One way to do that, with the added advantage of increasing support for providers and patients with chronic illnesses, is to implement a self-managed model.