HCPro.com: Case Management Monthly

This newsletter offers case studies, best practices, and how-to analysis to help case managers move patients through the care continuum efficiently and safely.

To view the entire newsletter issue, click the “View Entire Issue” link below

May 2008 (Volume 5, Issue 5)	view entire issue

Setting up a charity care team can save your hospital money in the long run
There's no getting around the fact that the number of uninsured and underinsured patients raises the costs of healthcare. In 2005, one-third of all businesses did not offer their employees health coverage, according to the National Coalition of Healthcare, and many people who are offered insurance can't pay the premiums or afford the deductibles. And that doesn't even account for the millions of homeless people and the large population of undocumented illegal immigrants in the United States.

Massachusetts hospital finding way to help repeat substance abusers in the ED
Substance abuse is a chronic illness just like congestive heart failure or diabetes, but it certainly has a much different image in most hospitals, says Susan Krupnick, MSN, APRN, BC, CARN, clinical nurse specialist and adult nurse practitioner for addictions consultations in the ED at Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH) in Boston. "Too many people look at repeat substance abusers or individuals with addictive illnesses as hopeless and believe it's the patient's fault," says Krupnick. "But many patients with heart failure or diabetes are equally responsible for their relapse situations. However, they receive more compassionate care from the staff."

Revised ABN should cause less confusion for patients
On March 3, CMS released the new ABN. This form, also known as the ABN-R-131, will be used for all Part B provider and supplier services, making it essential for all case managers to be aware of the change so they can effectively communicate with patients and providers. The new ABN can be used immediately, although it is not required until September 1. The biggest benefits to hospitals are that it replaces the existing ABN-G and ABN-L and that it may be used for voluntary notifications, in place of the Notice of Exclusion from Medicare Benefits.

Other recently-published articles from Case Management Monthly:

Taking an interdisciplinary approach to attacking

Data collection, analysis lead to positive outcomes

Case managers and documentation specialists: Collaboration for improved documentation and communication

Maximizing your PA program: How one facility uses PAs to create a team approach to patient care

Manage your fear of the RAC

Make advocacy and quality the focus of a comprehensive case management program

Ask June

Transforming the elective precertification process

LOS initiative saves one facility more than $1 million

Improving nurse and case manager relations

Say yes to best practices in denial prevention

Collaboration accelerates discharge planning process

Reaching out to the disadvantaged obstetrics population

Where case management sits in the POA puzzle

Rewiring the discharge planning process

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