Case managers are advocates, leaders, influencers, problem-solvers, educators and more! In every work setting and within healthcare in general, there is a common challenge: how to best meet our clients’ needs in an industry that is continually evolving. Legislative and regulatory changes trickle down and lead to more change at the employer level. Initiatives to improve our practice, reinforce our value and protect our profession will ultimately lead to increased recognition that case management is the true healthcare reform. We invite you to become a part of the conversation by participating in the 2018 Call for Presentations. Based on rigorous market research, proposals should fall under one or more of the following tracks. Proposals in these categories will be given priority in the selection process: Acute Care; Workers’ Compensation; Discipline-Specific Case Management; Long Term Care; Leadership; Population Health; Managed Care. Consider your contribution and submit by today, September 21, 2017.

 

CMSA is looking for the best individuals to join our Board of Directors to ensure we continue to be the leading membership association providing professional collaboration across the health care continuum. CMSA’s Board of Directors consists of individuals who possess extensive experience with diverse perspectives. Each year, members are sought from all disciplines and perspectives, those who have the expertise and desire to serve and represent CMSA as a whole. CMSA is looking for individuals who: • Are recognized leaders • Have demonstrated expertise and experience • Are willing to serve, if elected, and willing to commit the necessary time, energy, and effort to participating in CMSA activities Click below to learn more about open positions and submit your nomination by October 31, 2017.

 

by Eric Bergman, RN, CCM, Vice-Chair CMSA National PPC CMSA has wrapped up another successful Hill Day, which included education and networking for our members and dozens of meetings with legislators and staff. Nearly 70 members from 22 states came together for the two-day event packed with education, new connections and productive meetings with many members of Congress. We began the event with a reception allowing members of the CMSA Board, Public Policy committee, and attendees to get acquainted and share stories and lessons from their experience. We adjourned to a training session which featured expert advice and guidance from CMSA Public Policy advisors Neil Neuberger and Garry Carneal, as well as an educational presentation from Chriss Wheeler and Eric Bergman, CMSA National Public Policy Chair and Vice Chair.

 

Are you ready for 2018? So are we! Registration for our 2018 conference in Chicago is open! In case you haven't heard yet, each paid registrant will receive a FREE one year individual membership with CMSA! Follow the link below to learn more and register. We can't wait to see you there!

Learn More & Register

 

Download CMSA's Standards of Practice for Case Management, 2016 revision, which provides practice guidelines for the case management industry and its diverse stakeholders.The impetus for the 2016 revision of the Standards is the need to emphasize the professional nature of the practice and role of the case manager.

The 2016 Standards contain information about case management including an updated definition, practice settings, roles and responsibilities, case management process, philosophy and guiding principles, as well as the standards and how they are demonstrated.

Download Your Copy

 

Professional Case Management is a peer-reviewed, contemporary journal that crosses all case management settings. The Journal features best practices, industry benchmarks and hands-on information for both the professional case manager and those newer to the specialty. Additionally, PCM provides continuing education opportunities and cutting-edge research, as reflected in the tagline, Leading Evidence Based Practice Across Transitions of Care.

Professional Case Management Print Upgrade

All members receive complimentary online access to Professional Case Management, the official journal of CMSA, as a benefit of membership. A print subscription to Professional Case Management is now available to all members for an additional $35.00 fee (per year). To add the print version to your subscription, please call Lippincott Williams & Wilkins' Member Services at 1-866-489-0443 and reference promotion code MGK296ZZ. Learn More

Discounted CEs from Lippincott, Williams, and Wilkins

As part of your CMSA member benefits, you have access to discounted continuing education opportunities through our journal publishing partner, Lippincott Williams & Wilkins. Content is based on peer-reviewed Lippincott journals, trusted by nurses globally to provide current, evidence-based and authoritative content critical to everyday practice. All CE activities in Professional Case Management are discounted 25 percent.

This includes CCMC, ANCC, NAHQ, and NASW contact hours. To access activities, take these steps:
1. Go to http://nursing.ceconnection.com/default. Log in using your NursingCenter.com user ID and password.
2. Visit http://nursing.ceconnection.com/browse/sources/28 and enter the offer code "CMSA" into the coupon field upon check out.
3. Complete check out and enjoy.

 

 

Pat Stricker, RN, M Ed SVP, Clinical Services TCS Healthcare Technologies Happy National Case Management Week! I know this may seem a little early, but if I wait until next month’s newsletter it will be too late. So I thought I would rather be among the first to congratulate you, rather than do it belatedly. This year’s National Case Management Week is October 8-14. The theme is "Together We Stand Strong." As a group, we (case managers) develop close working relationships and have a strong sense of friendship and camaraderie. This is evident each year at our national conference, when you see case managers from across the country (and from other countries) come together as "friends." It is also shown monthly at local chapter meetings across the country. We support each other and know that the more we stand together on important issues that affect our profession, the stronger we become. The goal of Case Management Week is to educate payers, providers,regulators and consumers about the tremendous value case managers bring to the successful delivery of healthcare.Case managers act as advocates, educators, coordinators, facilitators, navigators, and resource managers to help patients understand and manage their condition, find and gain access to services, and obtain high-quality, cost-effective care. People need to be aware of your dedication, commitment and passion for working with patients and their families in these endeavors. These things make a tremendous difference in their lives and in the healthcare delivery system. National Case Management Week focuses on making people aware of what you do and provides an opportunity to celebrate your accomplishments.

 

CMSA President, Mary McLaughlin-Davis, was recently featured on Johnson & Johnson's The Campaign for Nursing website, discussing the role of case managers in the lives of patients. Click below to read the full article!

 

by Anne Llewellyn, RN-BC, MS, BHSA, CCM, CRRN At the recent Case Management Society of America Annual Conference in Austin, TX, 10 of the past presidents of the organization held a general session to share their insights into the practice of case management. The panel of leaders made it clear that case management is recognized as one of the essential tools patients, payers and providers are using to improve outcomes, contain healthcare costs and improve the patient experience throughout the broad healthcare system. The group participated in an interactive discussion with the audience and shared that for the practice to continue to grow, professionals involved in case management must be nourished with continuing education, leadership and mentoring at every level. Today, unlike in the early days of case management, there is research to demonstrate the value case management professionals bring. With publications like CMSA Today and Professional Case Management, professional case managers have the opportunity to share their work. The panel agreed that in order to meet their goals, professionals working in the area of case management need to follow the Standards of Practice for Case Management to reflect current practice. The Standards, when implemented into individual and organizational practice, allow professionals to share a common bond and demonstrate the value they bring regardless of the setting. The Standards also can be used to educate the C-suite as to how case management is and what case management is not.

 

Agency waives provider screening requirements in U.S. Virgin Islands, Puerto Rico and Florida The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) Administrator Seema Verma temporarily suspended certain Medicare enrollment screening requirements for healthcare providers that are assisting with Hurricane Irma recovery efforts in Florida, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. CMS established a hotline to assist these healthcare providers in order to enroll in federal health programs and receive temporary Medicare billing privileges. This is part of the agency’s ongoing efforts to provide immediate relief to those affected by the hurricane. "CMS is dedicated to making it as easy as possible for the individuals and families impacted by Hurricane Irma to access medical care during this difficult time," said Administrator Verma. "There are healthcare providers and suppliers in the aftermath of the hurricane that are ready and willing to help. CMS has established a hotline for providers and temporarily suspended certain Medicare requirements so that these healthcare professionals can provide services to those in need." Source: Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services

 

CMSA Today™—the official magazine of the Case Management Society of America—is the magazine for case managers. We are committed to providing case management knowledge, perspectives and news to case managers in all sectors of the profession. To facilitate that mission, we accept and consider:

• Original articles written by case managers of all healthcare backgrounds;
• Expertly prepared articles from professional writers—whether medical writers or experienced generalists—on case management topics;
  
• Feature articles, column material, and news about case management trends and issues, as well as about CMSA chapters and their activities;
  
• and personal, member-generated items considered nontraditional for a professional-association publication as poems, remembrances and similar sorts of content.
  

Consider sharing your knowledge by writing and submitting an article! Click below to learn more.
Learn More  

 

We have a few weeks before National Case Management Week arrives, and now is the perfect time to begin planning your celebrations! Activities during the week include banquets and recognition dinners, state and city proclamations, continuing education seminars, and other community events. Case managers are often honored with gifts, dinners, and flowers by friends and family members, coworkers such as doctors and administrators, and patients who want to show their appreciation. We have history, communications and product resources available now; click on the link below to begin planning your week with your colleagues!