Case managers use a lot of lists. They use lists of nursing homes, lists of community organizations, and lists of other resources that are designed to help their patients.
But there are times when a list is not the best option, saysDiane Iverson, RN, BSN, BS, ACM, CCM, a Baltimore-area case manager. For example, when case managers are working with individuals seeking assistance for substance use disorders, lists of resources may not be effective.
Q: As utilization review case managers, we are often tasked with assessing our hospital's risk for novel coronavirus (COVID-19) denials. What are the most important measures we should be examining?
Case management directors and utilization review (UR) case managers beware! In a Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) document released in July, CMS said it expects to discontinue enforcement discretion for Medicare fee-for-service medical reviews beginning August 3, regardless of the status of the public health emergency (PHE).
Q: As a case manager, part of my job is making sure my patients are capable of utilizing technology to access telemedicine. What are your recommendations for helping patients get up to speed with technology?
As the COVID-19 pandemic has surged, hospitals and healthcare providers have increasingly taken advantage of technology to provide routine care to patients and monitor them after discharge.
Q: How can case managers help patients, especially those dealing with chronic diseases such as diabetes, access care during the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic?
