Q&A: The benefits of model practice acts for case management

Q: What is a model practice act and what are its benefits?

A: A number of model practice acts have been posed across the interprofessional workforce (e.g., nursing, social work, occupational therapy). They serve as exemplary and standardized ways to view professional regulation, levels of practice, and greater understanding of practice scope. When the industry and its professionals can barely keep track of the all the various licensure levels and credentials and qualifications required for each level, how can consumers?

Model acts keep consumers informed and aware of the assorted roles and functions of the requisite professionals. The practice acts are geared to offer greater standardization of terminology and regulation from jurisdiction to jurisdiction. For example, social work’s diverse credentials alone are confusing for clients, colleagues, and organizations. A Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) designation in the Commonwealth of Virginia goes by LIGSW in Washington, DC, and by LCSW-C in Maryland.

Standardization of the name and scope of each credential, plus the qualifications for that credential, would promote greater ease with employment. This information would also assist with legal decisions related to licensure, renewal, discipline and other board activities. The general benefits of model practice acts appear below:

• Establish standards of minimal professional competence
• Standardize levels of licensure offered across geographic regions, and for each level
• Denote for each licensure level the following:
  • Quality
  • Scope
  • Credential
• Provide common fee structures for renewal, retirement rates
• Provide methods to fairly and objectively address consumer complaints
• Establish means to sanction and remove incompetent and/or unethical practitioners from practice
• Ensure common continuing education requirements
• Provide a common way for consumers of the industry to understand a professional role, qualifications, credentials, and scope of the role
• Ensure a higher level of public protection

For more information, see The Essential Guide to Interprofessional Ethics in Healthcare Case Management . Need expert advice? Email your questions for consideration in the Revenue Cycle Daily Advisor. Note: We do not guarantee that all questions will be answered.