Q&A: The role of case managers in patient assistance programs
Q. What can case managers do to advocate for patients who are in need of financial assistance?
A. Patient assistance programs, while readily available, are not often known to the consumer. Case managers and social workers across the continuum of care must understand and connect patients to these programs.
Applications are different for all companies and cumbersome to complete, needing information from both the patient and the physician. Companies often require patients to reapply every several months, so case managers and social workers must help patients remember reapplication dates.
Although it is great for case managers and/or social workers to identify which patients need assistance programs, facilities may also want to consider creating a position that helps with logistics, such as a case management assistant (inpatient) or health coach (ambulatory), as these team members can help ensure that the patient is successful in interventions.
Developing a role, both inpatient and outpatient, to support the patient’s application process and ongoing success in assistance programs will justify the cost of the resource significantly.
For more information, see Longitudinal Case Management: Designs Across the Continuum of Care.
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