Issue Briefs

The role of the professional case manager is changing rapidly.  Health reform has called upon the industry to ensure that care delivered is efficient, effective, high quality and low cost.  Never in our history has the role and the function of the professional case manager been more important.  The expectations of today’s case manager are evolving and the experts in policy, research and industry are talking with the Commission about changes affecting case management practice.

The Commission’s Issue Briefs are offered as part of the CMLearning Network®. Each publication covers topics that are timely and relevant to today’s professional case manager. If you would like a hard copy of an Issue Brief for your staff, or for use at a meeting, we can send you a limited amount at no charge. Simply make your request by filling out the form in the sidebar, and we'll be happy to send them to you.

The Issue Briefs displayed below are the most recent.

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The role of motivational interviewing in helping clients address health behavior challenges

May 2023

As a certified case manager or disability management specialist, you’ve likely either encountered or will encounter a client who needs to change their behavior for the sake of their health. When people’s habits are entrenched, encouraging beneficial behavior change can feel like an uphill battle. Fortunately, motivational interviewing (MI) can serve as a useful tool to motivate clients to improve their wellbeing.

“Case managers should know that many therapists use MI techniques, and so they should consider referring clients who have a need to address problematic health behaviors for expert help,” says Patricia Nunez, MA, CRC, CDMS, CCM, director at the office of claim supply management at CNA Insurance. “Case managers and disability management specialists may wish to get MI training to enhance their communication and coaching of their clients.”

Transitions of care: How case managers mitigate risk for clients along the care continuum

Feb 2023

Effectively transitioning a client from one care setting or provider to the next is fundamental to client wellbeing. Given that ineffective transitions can put clients at clinical, emotional, and financial risk, board-certified case managers must be experts at adeptly facilitating transitions to optimize health outcomes.

The variety of providers that clients see after leaving acute care can increase the likelihood of medical errors and patient safety mishaps. If a client is at high risk of falling after hospitalization for an injury and that risk is not conveyed to their next provider at a rehabilitation center, the client may be more likely to fall without close supervision. Suboptimal handoffs and inadequate transfers of information can increase the danger of detrimental outcomes.

No Longer a Novelty: Integrating primary care and behavioral health

Jan 2023

“Primary care is inextricably linked to behavioral health.” With that, Teri Treiger, RN, MA, CCM, CHCQM, FABQAURP, chair-elect, Commission for Case Manager Certification articulates both the problem and the solution. Most outpatient mental health care takes place in the primary care setting. If you think about it, it makes sense: Primary care providers are often the first to observe and diagnose mental health issues, and they frequently write prescriptions for psychotropic medication.

Understanding health care financing in 2022: A primer for CCM and CDMS certificants seeking to improve health outcomes under value-based care

Nov 2022

The complex and evolving landscape of health care financing can seem daunting for people who work in the health care system—let alone clients. But by understanding the role of value- based care in health care financing, board-certified case managers (CCM) and disability management specialists (CDMS) can recognize their crucial role in helping clients to improve health outcomes.

 Understanding the changing landscape of health care payments is not only critical for CCM and CDMS certificants to help clients navigate the health care system, but also to support clients in the development of care plans to improve health and productivity, enabling a successful return to work, to play, and to living.

 Read the full issue brief for more.

By documenting health disparities across the country, the Commonwealth Fund scorecard highlights how CCMs can better support clients

Sep 2022

"Profound racial and ethnic disparities in health and well-being have long been the norm in the United States." That line opens the Commonwealth Fund's most recent health equity scorecard, titled "Achieving Racial and Ethnic Equity in U.S. Health Care: A Scorecard of State Performance." Researchers found that health care systems continue to fail many people of color in every state. Even in states with high-performing health systems, people of color often receive much worse health care than white people.

Although the details of the report are revelatory, the thesis comes as no surprise to most case managers, says MaryBeth Kurland, MPA, CAE, ICE-CCP, chief executive officer, Commission for Case Manager Certification. "This is one of the many reasons we embrace diversity. The Commission values diversity among its case manager and disability management specialists because having a diverse workforce helps broaden our reach."