SHAPING HEALTHCARE POLICY AND ELEVATING THE ROLE OF THE CASE MANAGER

Earlier this month, CMSA members met virtually with members of Congress and their staff to represent case managers nationwide and advocate for CMSA’s public policy priorities. Participants of the 2024 CMSA Virtual Hill Visits Program worked to educate legislators about the importance of case managers and their critical role in improving patient health outcomes. This essential event helped to elevate the professional practice of case management and the immediate needs of case managers nationwide.

Key Achievements:

• Workforce Development: Our commitment to enhancing professional skills, attracting new talent to case management and recognizing its vital role in healthcare teams.
• Telehealth: Advocating for permanent access to telehealth, inclusion of case managers in reimbursement models and understanding potential limitations.
• Mental Health: Ensuring mental health services are integrated into case management models and advocating for permanent funding for expanded services.

Through over 30 scheduled meetings, participants of the CMSA Virtual Hill Visits Program made progress in advancing the awareness of the professional practice of case management to ensure “a seat at the table” for future healthcare legislation. Additionally, CMSA advocates worked for more permanent access to and funding for both telehealth and mental health services presented through six legislative bills already introduced.

What's Next:

• Stay informed through our webinars, articles and blogs on policy developments.
• Engage locally and at the state level to amplify our collective voice.
• Watch for opportunities to get involved and make a lasting impact.

Thank you to our CMSA Advocates for their dedication to advancing our profession and improving healthcare outcomes. Together, we will continue to shape policies that benefit case managers and the patients we serve.

Learn more about advocating for case management and see photos from our 2024 CMSA Virtual Hill Visits HERE!

TOP-NOTCH EDUCATION AVAILABLE AT THE 2024 CMSA ANNUAL CONFERENCE & EXPO

Now is the time to invest in you and your professional growth. Make plans to join us for the 2024 CMSA Annual Conference & Expo, “The Future of Healthcare Powered by Case Management,” June 4-7, 2024, at the Rhode Island Convention Center in historic Providence, RI.

We are offering an unprecedented 75+ CEs, but don’t worry, all main conference sessions will be recorded, giving you until July 31 to watch and evaluate at your own pace.

Dive into a wealth of knowledge, elevate your skills, connect with leaders in the field and stay ahead in the dynamic world of case management. What are you waiting for? 

Are you an organization interested in face-to-face engagement with 1,000+ case managers? Check out our sponsorship and exhibit opportunities!

"Stop Telling Me About Self-Care!" Case Managers and Self-Care Fatigue

Wednesday, March 27 at 12 p.m. Eastern

Pre-Approved CEs: 1 Hour RN and CCM

The ever-increasing demands of the healthcare industry, whether one works in-patient or out-patient, in the acute or chronic setting, can make the concept of self-care seem hollow and out of reach. With a critical eye, participants will explore the idea of self-care and how it came to prominence. Common self-care strategies will be reviewed, as will their efficacy in the modern working lives of case managers. The presentation will unpack the healthcare delivery system and the ways in which it promotes self-care of staff while simultaneously imposing barriers that can thwart sustainable self-care practices.

Presenter: Sarah Stevenson, LICSW, NSW-C, CCM

Free to members. $40 for non-members.

Create Your Eat Well Plan: Fast Tips to Eat to Reduce Inflammation & Feel Great

Thursday, April 11 at 12 p.m. Eastern

Pre-Approved CEs: 1 Hour RN and CCM

How we eat impacts our moods, our energy and how we feel. Ready to take control and activate healthy eating to reduce your signs of inflammation (belly fat, headaches, joint pain, digestive issues, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes, auto-immune conditions) AND improve how you feel? Join us to learn how to turn "I want to eat better" into new behaviors that stick! You'll identify your motivation, set your goals, and leave inspired with the breakfast, lunch and snack ideas you need to make it happen!

Presenter: Sue Levy, CEO and Founder, Savory Living

Free to members. $40 for non-members.

There is a lot happening with the CMSA Foundation this month, with opportunities for case managers to receive recognition, give back to the practice, win a scholarship and build leadership skills!

Showcase Your Outcomes: The CMSA Foundation's mission and vision are to elevate the practice of case management and case managers by supporting and publishing practice improvement projects and research. The Foundation encourages the submission of the good work case managers and organizations do to improve health outcomes. Applications for the Case Management Practice Improvement Award and Case Management Research Award are open until April 1, 2024. 
Submit your project HERE!

Become a Friend of the Foundation: The Foundation cannot provide this recognition without the generosity of our donors. Please consider becoming a recurring or one-time donor. In March, we will send a Starbucks Gift Card to new recurring donors and our existing recurring donors who increase their monthly donation by $5.00 or more.
“Grow With Us” HERE!

Donate to Win: The Foundation has partnered with the Case Management Institute (CMI) to make available three CCM Certification Scholarships. For as little as $25, you can be entered into a drawing for one of three CCM Scholarships. Each scholarship package is worth nearly $900! Included in each:

1. A copy of Certification Made Easy, 3rd Edition written by Deanna Gillingham
2. Access to CMI’s on-demand CCM Prep Course
3. Reimbursement for the CCMC testing fee

Hurry, this offer closes on April 1, 2024! Enter HERE! 

CMSAF Board Nominations: The Foundation has two board positions open. Please consider becoming a board member to help us support case management and build a body of knowledge based on best practices discovered through practice improvement and research.
Applications are open through April 1, 2024. Apply HERE!

Get involved and get inspired!

We are delighted to announce and extend a warm welcome to our newest CMSA Affiliate Partners —the National Mobility Equipment Dealers Association (NMEDA) and the National Transitions of Care Coalition (NTOCC). The addition of these collaborations marks an exciting chapter in CMSA’s commitment to knowledge sharing and the advancement of case management.

CMSA reaffirms its commitment to fostering connections and sharing expertise with synergistic non-profit organizations through our affiliate partnerships. By leveraging our current collaboration and pursuing future initiatives, we remain committed to empowering our members with the resources and knowledge to support the profession of case management and those who case managers serve.

Learn more about CMSA Affiliate Partners HERE!

Read our latest issue of CMSA Today, where we shine a spotlight on the invaluable contributions of social workers, military, and VA case managers. These dedicated professionals play a vital role in shaping the landscape of case management, navigating complex challenges with compassion and expertise.

Delve into the heart of healthcare with social workers, whose holistic approach ensures patients receive comprehensive support for their physical, emotional and social well-being. We also honor the unwavering dedication of military and VA case managers, who provide essential care and support to our nation's heroes.

Despite facing ongoing challenges, our field remains resilient and adaptive, constantly embracing opportunities for growth and innovation.

At CMSA, we're committed to supporting the professional development of case managers and fostering a community of collaboration and excellence. Together, let's continue to make a difference in the lives of those we serve and shape the future of healthcare. Read the latest issue of CMSA Today to stay informed and inspired HERE!

New issues post first on cmsatoday.com, plus new articles post each week, so visit regularly for fresh content on current case management trends.

CMSA Members: You should have received your print copy of Issue 2. If you have not, please email us at cmsa@cmsa.org.

Throughout the month of March, a.k.a. Social Work Month, we are featuring a new blog each Monday, written by or focusing on social workers.

"Empowering Social Workers" By Alan Boardman LMSW; ACM-SW

"Ethical Dilemmas in Post-Acute Care Placement: A Case Manager’s Perspective" by Tiffany Ferguson, LMSW, CMAC, ACM 

"Celebrating Social Work Month" by Dr. Colleen Morley, DNP, RN, CCM, CMAC, CMCN, ACM-RN, FCM

CMSA blogs are written and contributed by a broad range of authors, from board directors and industry partners to working case managers and recent retirees. Find every perspective HERE, Mondays and Thursdays each week!

Interested in becoming a CMSA Partner for 2024? Contact Rebecca Davis at rdavis@parthenonmgmt.com for more information!