Background/Purpose: The influence of home- and clinic-based caring system on the economic burden of heart failure remains unknown. Methods: Between January 2004 and December 2004, chronic heart failure patients who were followed up by specialist nurse-led telephone visiting regularly were enrolled. Clinical and economic data half a year before enrollment were collected as control. Results: A total of 247 patients (168 males, 79 females; mean age, 60 17 years) were enrolled. The mean follow-up period was 139 96 days. The mean left ventricular ejection fraction was 35%. There were 1618 times of specialist nurse-led telephone visiting ( average 8 +/- 6 times/patient). The mortality rate was 5.7% . Before enrollment, the total hospitalization fees were US$ 624,020. After enrollment, the cost was reduced to US$362, 722 (41.8% reduction). The mean functional class (New York Heart Association) also improved from 2.27 +/- 0.80 to 1. 96+ /- 0.90 (p