Case Management Advisor 2009-01-01

CMs, DMs collaborate to coordinate care for Medicare Advantage members

At a health insurer in the northwest mountain state region, case managers and disease managers work hand in hand and share an electronic care management software system that allows them to seamlessly manage the care of their Medicare Advantage members.

Computer-based CCM exam now online

For the first time ever, case managers who took the Certified Case Management (CCM) examination in December could sign up online and take a computerized version of the test.

Initiative helps keep uninsured out of ED

Case managers at the University of Michigan Faculty Group Practice help low-income individuals enrolled in a county-supported health plan learn to navigate the health care system and access primary care services so they can stay out of the hospital and the emergency department.

Follow-up care helps avoid readmissions

With the number of uninsured patients increasing rapidly, the case management and social work staff at North Broward Medical Center are faced with the challenge of making sure patients receive the follow up they need to stay healthy and out of the hospital.

What do you do if you don't have data?

You may not have "knock-your-socks-off" data to show that you saved your company thousands of dollars in health care costs because of a wellness program or other initiative. But there are still ways you can demonstrate success and, possibly, save the program or your job in the process.

Phone coaching saves $311,755 in health costs

Demonstrating a program's return on investment (ROI) is more important than ever.

Use this formula for productivity savings

Researchers calculated the productivity benefits for 890 employees enrolled in a telephone coaching obesity management program, using these assumptions based on previous research:

Get your fragrance-free workplace off the ground

More than half of states have laws requiring 100% smoke-free workplaces, but hardly any workplaces are fragrance free. This is getting increasing attention, however, with growing evidence of the serious health risks posed by synthetic fragrances to workers.

Yes, worksite weight loss programs do work

If anyone questions whether your company's workplace weight loss programs are really getting workers to lose pounds, you have a ready answer in light of a new review of studies.

Evaluate this before an injured worker returns

Even if a physician releases an employee to return to work, that employee might still be impaired and at risk for further injury. This risk is because the physician may not realize the job-specific functionality that is needed, warns Howard M. Sandler, MD, president of Sandler Occupational Medicine Associates in Melville, NY.

Diet counseling gets only modest gains

Diet counseling is a part of many employee wellness programs, but a recent review of 38 studies shows this counseling results in only modest improvements in risk factors such as high cholesterol and blood pressure.

2008 Salary Survey Results: Salaries are up, but so is the workload

Case managers made more money last year than ever before, but they also worked longer hours, according to the results of the 2008 Case Management Advisor Salary Survey.

Case Management Advisor – January 1, 2009

January 1, 2009