Case management isn’t what it used to be. That much everyone seems to agree on. But is the profession’s recent evolution driving away new recruits, or is it making the field more attractive to those looking for a challenge? That’s less clear.
Affording prescription drugs can be a challenge for many patients. Even for patients with insurance, cost sharing and copays can add up. To head off these potential problems, case managers are often tasked with identifying affordability issues and finding solutions for patients to help ensure they can comply with discharge recommendations.
It’s no secret that social factors can create sizable barriers for case managers who are working to prevent readmissions, plan for discharges, and meet length of stay targets. Unfortunately, government regulators often don’t factor these issues in when they are looking at quality measures. But that is starting to change.
A director working to manage her institution’s length of stay is usually aware of situations that can make a patient stay longer. Among these situations is a patient who is need of guardianship.
What happens when a patient who requires inpatient rehab care refuses transfer due to concerns about pets staying home alone? This complex case addresses the ways a case manager can handle these tricky situations.
