In the middle of a heated conversation the angry family member of a patient blurts out, "I think it's time to call my lawyer. I'm going to sue." These are words that can strike fear into the most steadfast case managers. After all, lawsuits can be time-consuming and potentially costly.
The Center for Connected Health at Partners HealthCare System in Boston is putting technology to use to track patient health in the home setting. The center uses the latest technologies, from text messaging and social media to remote monitoring and patients downloading their medical records to help them take control of chronic conditions.
Numerous community groups are working to help people stay healthy. Programs that help individuals pay for expensive medications, free health clinics, and support services for chronic illnesses are just a few examples. However, the problem is that the people who need these services often don't know they're available.
The Medicare Transitional Care Act of 2014 would require Medicare to provide payment for approved transition services designed to move patients safely to the next level of care.
Changes may be afoot for the 2-midnight rule. CMS' 2015 inpatient prospective payment system (IPPS) proposed rule seeks opinions about an alternate payment for short hospital stays.
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease affects millions of Americans and is the third leading cause of death in this country. It is also a major source of preventable hospital readmissions.
With new regulatory pressures and a changing political landscape, the world of case management is changing. One trend you may notice is an increase in the number of outside organizations, such as physician's offices, insurance companies, and postacute facilities that are hiring their own case managers to help manage patients. These individuals are often referred to as liaisons.
