James Krings, MD, MSCI

Asthma affects approximately 25 million people within the United States. However, the burdens of asthma are inequitably experienced. Asthma disproportionately affects patients covered by Medicaid programs compared to those covered by private insurance. Our multidisciplinary team is attempting to increase Medicaid payors’ awareness of evidence-based guideline-recommended single maintenance and reliever therapy (SMART) to improve asthma outcomes. First in partnership with health economics experts, we will compare the cost to payors of SMART vs. traditional asthma inhaler strategies from a healthcare payor perspective. Then, in partnership with communications experts, we will disseminate information on SMART to Medicaid stakeholders while subsequently assessing their awareness of SMART. The potential impact of this award is high as it represents the first cost analysis of SMART in the United States. It could improve access to evidence-based and guideline-recommended asthma care for those covered by state Medicaid programs.