Launched earlier this year, CMSA’s Career & Knowledge Pathways (CKP) educational program is a contextual learning program that gives you the opportunity to learn foundational case management knowledge at your own pace. Where traditional educational programs are limited in content, structure, mode of delivery, or timing, CKP uses multiple delivery methods including video, simulations, and case studies to encourage a collaborative and flexible learning experience.

The debut CKP course, CMSA Standards of Practice: The Foundation for Professional Excellence in Coordination of Care Across the Continuum, was developed by thought leaders in case management to contribute to the basic understanding of the standards that govern your practice. Based on CMSA’s Standards of Practice for Case Management, this tool is made up of 16 modules, providing up to 72 hours of continuing education for nurses, social workers, and case management certification. The relative cost for groups of 20 or more case managers is less than one academic college course in an undergraduate program.

Don't miss access to the most cutting-edge case management information, valuable resources, and networking opportunities year-round! In honor of National Case Management Week, new members can take $30 off National membership dues when you join online through Nov. 30, 2014! Increase your knowledge, identify and address important foundational skills of the case manager by joining as a member today!

National Case Management Week commenced from Oct. 12-18, a week in which we recognized and celebrated the contributions and achievements of all case/care management professionals.

CMSA President Kathy Fraser said it best: "You were born caring. You worked hard to gain the experience. With the right tools, we can change the world."

Throughout the week, case managers and organizations across the nation celebrated and shared their message on social media where:

• Nearly 200 individuals and organizations posted on Twitter with photos and updates throughout the week.
• National Case Management Week updates on Facebook garnered more than 3,300 views and initiated over 250 actions including shares and likes.
• On Thursday, Oct. 16, CMSA initiated a Thunderclap—a social media posting that is shared at the same time by a community of people—that garnered an impact among 36,589 individuals across the web.

The CMSA awards program was established to pay special tribute to those individuals or organizations who have demonstrated distinguished service to the case management profession or association management. 

Each year several individuals, chapters and organizations are recognized at CMSA’s Annual Conference. Those awards include:

•  Case Manager of the Year (CMOY)

•  Award of Service Excellence (AOSE)

•  Chapter Excellence and Innovation Awards (CEIA)
   **New: Award of Excellence for Chapter Revitalization
   **View all categories at cmsa.org/awards

•  Case Management Research Award (CMRA)

•  Case Management Practice Improvement Award (CMPI)

Visit www.cmsa.org/awards to learn more about the awards and nominations process.

CMAG 2012 addresses medication and treatment adherence as defined by WHO as being one of the primary reasons for readmissions and emergency room visits. The information and tools presented in this edition serve the professional care management community as the standard by which case managers can advance assistance, coaching, and monitoring efforts with the goal of ultimately improving care delivery and patient outcomes. CMSA has made medication adherence a strategic initiative since 2004, as part of its central mission to be the trusted source of resources that support and enable the professional growth of care managers. Given the key leadership role of case managers in the provision, transfer and coordination of patient information and treatment, CMSA is invested in providing educational materials like CMAG which enable case managers to be more effective in improving care quality.

Learn more and access your copy at www.cmsa.org/cmag.

On Oct. 31, 2014, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) released final rules outlining how Medicare will pay major healthcare providers and suppliers in 2015. Important provisions of the Affordable Care Act that reward higher quality, patient-centered care at a lower cost are being implemented by these rules. The final rules include Medicare payments to physicians and non-physician practitioners, hospital outpatient departments, ambulatory surgical centers, home health agencies, and dialysis facilities that treat patients with end-stage renal disease.

Consumers can sign up for health plans for the first time, renew or change their plans for 2015 on HealthCare.gov; more plans are available this year

Starting Nov. 15, consumers can now sign up for 2015 health insurance plans through HealthCare.gov, the call center, or in-person assistance. With more issuers offering coverage through the Health Insurance Marketplace this year, the consumers will find more options for themselves and their families.

Dec. 3 - 5, 2014
Orlando, FL
Register

As part of CMSA's goal to provide access to case management resources, CMSA is extending an offer from Decision Health for CMSA members to receive a discount on the 4th Annual Patient Advocate Conference. Members can access a $50 discount using code 50OFFPAC (expires 11/30/2014). 

The 4th Annual Patient Advocate Conference brings together all who advocate on behalf of patients. The event offers a forum to learn tactics and methods that bring better care, improved outcomes, and an overall better experience for those navigating our complex healthcare system.

Learn from leaders in the field of patient advocacy, and network with colleagues in your setting and from other disciplines.

The 2014 Conference, over the course of two days, features general sessions along with breakout tracks for specific disciplines, including a Managed Care track; an Independent Practice track; and a Hospital Patient Advocacy track.

CMSA President Kathleen Fraser will be speaking at this event in a session entitled, "Best Practices in Employee/Employer Advocacy Obtain Positive Outcomes for All Parties."