Case Management Advisor 2004-01-01

End-of-life care may be the most difficult subject youll take up with your clients, but youll be doing them a big disservice if you dont discuss it.

CMs guide members on end-of-life decisions

When case managers at Highmark Blue Cross and Blue Shield bring up advance directives with their patients, they are well prepared.

Take the lead in improving relationships with docs

A good working relationship between a knowledgeable and effective case manager and a cooperative, clinically up-to-date physician can result in excellent, cost-effective patient care with superior outcomes and high levels of patient satisfaction.

Program identifies at-risk patients early

Traditional disease management programs that help patients manage their diseases after they become costly are like arriving at the scene of an accident that has already happened, John Palumbo asserts.

Health plan targets members at risk for suicide

Clinicians at PacifiCare Behavioral Health use a variety of techniques to identify patients who may be at risk for suicide, beginning with a members first call to the managed behavioral health plans behavioral health line, which is staffed by customer service associates trained to identify members who need immediate interventions.

Navigating the ‘Bermuda Triangle’ of ethics

Hospital case managers routinely face what I call the Bermuda Triangle of case management ethics. The top of the triangle is the clinical concern, encompassing the medical and treatment needs of the patient. On the right are the financial concerns, and on the left are the legal and ethical issues. In the middle of this triangle is the patient.

Safeguard protected health information

Regardless of their practice setting, case managers need to take steps to maintain the confidentiality of protected health information under the Health Insurance Portability and Accountabi-lity Act (HIPAA) of 1996.

Help your clients ensure their end-of-life wishes are met

Don’t avoid bringing up a difficult subject