Case management in managed care: past, present, and future

Case management (CM) has undergone radical, rapid change during the past 20 years and, from all appearances, shows no signs of slowing down. This article attempts to lay out the factors that will lead to the future of CM from three perspectives: patients, providers, and payers--the trilogy of the health care industry. The content of this article is rather provocative, intentionally designed to kindle thought and generate alternative ways to approach CM programs.