CASE MANAGEMENT INSIDER. Thinking of Separating Utilization Management and Case Management? Think Again!

Case management should be designed as a fully patient-centric model with all the roles and functions of the case manager and social worker performed as part of a package of services provided to the patient, not as a series of tasks that are disjointed and performed in isolation of each other. When case management models separate these roles, they create an environment in which these roles no longer interface and no longer are applied with the patient's current and long-term care needs in mind. Be very cautious when implementing such models and as you can see above, the argument that the collaborative model is less expensive simply does not hold true. Whenever possible, try to keep your case management roles and functions as integrated as possible for the greatest success and achievement of outcomes!