Case Management Advisor – February 1, 2003
February 1, 2003
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What’s in the future? More opportunities, fewer case managers
Theres an increased demand for the services of case managers but, at the same time, a shortage of nurses, who typically move into the case management role. -
Health plan launches stress management service
When members call the Blue Shield of California Lifepath Adviserssm line, they can get answers to health and wellness questions from a registered nurse, speak to a mental health counselor, or consult with a specialist on everything from childcare to legal and financial questions. -
Service addresses a wide range of member concerns
No matter which Lifepath Adviserssm service Blue Shield of California members choose, they get a comprehensive assessment and a plan of care to help them deal with their problems. -
Providing ‘personal touch’ increases satisfaction
The personal touch pays off for a health plan, Terri Cox Glassen, RN, MN, asserts. -
Listen to members through satisfaction surveys
Member satisfaction surveys give health plans a chance to hear the voice of the customer, says Terri Cox Glassen, RN, MN, assistant vice president of consumer satisfaction for CIGNA HealthCare with headquarters in Bloomfield, CT. -
Pink-ribbon campaign helps remind members
During October 2002, case managers from CIGNA HealthCare made hundreds of calls to female members reminding them to get a mammogram and educating them about breast cancer risks. -
Plan monitors meds to identify treatment gaps
Pharmacy data are an integral part of case management of chronically ill patients covered under Horizon/Mercy, with headquarters in Trenton, NJ. -
Program provides support to publicly insured with CHF
In just six months of operation, the congestive heart failure disease management program at Horizon/Mercy has resulted in few hospital admissions for some patients. -
Variations in treatment cause waste, inefficiency
Everyone knows that inconsistencies in health care can adversely affect patient outcomes, waste time and resources, and ultimately cost the consumer, the provider, and the health plan money. -
Data help physicians track patients, compliance
To get, on their own, the information that Pittsburgh-based Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shields SMART Registry provides them, physicians would have to conduct extensive and time-consuming chart reviews. -
Integrated DM program supports recommendations
Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield combined its previously disjointed disease management programs into an integrated condition management program that focuses on reducing the variations in effective care for five common conditions. -
Case managers advocate rather than spy
Some insurance companies often use surveillance techniques in an attempt to discover fraud in workers compensation and disability cases. When cameras are brought in, case managers should step out in order to avoid ethical dilemmas. But clearly this is easier said than done. -
Reports From the Field: CCMC seeks new commissioners
The Commission on Case Manager Certification (CCMC) in Rolling Meadows, IL, is opening nominations to fill four commission seats. Commission candidates are self-nominated. The deadline for submitting nominations is March 15. -
Reports From the Field: URAC handbook explains HIPAA security rules
The lack of a final HIPAA security regulation means that your organization doesnt have to provide security for your patient data, right? Wrong, according to a new handbook published by URAC. Your organization already has to protect patient data under the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) privacy rule, the book points out. -
Reports From the Field: Dietary counseling advised for at-risk adults
Dietary counseling can be beneficial for adults with high cholesterol and other risk factors for diet-related chronic disease such as high blood pressure and obesity, the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force has recommended. -
Reports From the Field: Americans wary of technology’s impact on health care
Despite embracing technology in many aspects of their everyday lives, people are conflicted about the impact of information technology on their health care, according to a new survey. -
Reports From the Field: Hostility to managed care declining, poll says
While Americans still are unhappy on the whole with managed care, hostility and criticism have declined from their peak in 2000, a new poll by Harris Interactive has found.