Case Management Focus: Introducing New Feature for WorkersCompensation.com

My name is Anne Llewellyn. I am a new writer for WorkersCompensation.com. I will be writing on the role of case managers in workers' compensation as that is my area of expertise.

In this article, I will share who case managers are, what they do, and the value they bring to the healthcare system. In future columns, I will share stories, best practices, and challenges case managers face around workers’ compensation.

I look forward to your input, comments, and suggestions on what you would like to learn about as it relates to case management.

Who are Case Managers?

Case managers are key members of the healthcare team. They act as liaisons between the patient/family and all healthcare team members, including payers. Their work is to improve care coordination, ensure safe transitions of care and improve communications between all stakeholders in the broad healthcare system. It has been said they are the glue that holds the healthcare team together!

What Role do they Play in Workers' Compensation?

In the area of workers' compensation, case managers educate the injured worker (IW), the IW support systems, providers, employers, and adjustors to help all understand the injured workers’ conditions, the plan of care, and the resources needed to allow them to return to gainful employment based on their conditions.

Case managers collaborate with employers and vocational rehabilitation specialists to search for work opportunities for injured workers throughout the process. Early return to work is a goal that case managers strive to achieve so lost time is minimized.

Case managers encourage injured workers to participate in their plan of care actively. As advocates, case managers ensure the injured worker has a voice in their care and remains connected to their work setting.

When people participate in their care, healthcare dollars are saved, patient and provider satisfaction is improved, outcomes are achieved, and unnecessary attorney involvement is minimized.

Who Makes up the Practice of Case Management?

Case management is an advanced area of practice. Professionals who make up the practice of case management are nurses, social workers, and other disciplines with expertise in areas such as respiratory and physical therapy.

Case managers work with people at risk from pre-birth till the end of life to ensure they get the right care at the right time in the least restrictive setting. They work at every entry point across the overall healthcare system.

In workers' compensation, case managers work closely with the adjustor, the employer, the provider, and the injured worker to meet the medical needs the injured worker has sustained so they can return to gainful employment.

When brought in early, case managers break down barriers that arise in the contentious world of worker's comp by improving communication among all parties so the focus stays on addressing the injured worker's needs.

Celebrating Case Managers

I chose October to debut this column as it is designated as Case Management Month. It is a time when we recognize the value case managers bring to people (patients and caregivers), providers, and payers in every area of the healthcare system. If you work with or know a case manager, say Thank You! It will mean a lot!

If you are a case manager, thank you for all you do. You are making a difference!

References

1. Engaging patients in decision-making and behavior change to promote prevention: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6996004

2. Case Manager 2022 Salary and Trends Survey: https://casemanagementinstitute.com/2022-case-management-salary-and-trends-survey

Anne Llewellyn is a registered rehabilitation nurse with over forty-three years of experience in critical care, risk management, catastrophic case management, patient advocacy, and healthcare education, including training and development. Anne speaks and writes frequently on topics for consumers, caregivers, and all members of the healthcare team so that together we can improve each person's healthcare experience. Follow her in her weekly Blog, Nurses Advocate, where she shares stories and events that will help people be better prepared when they enter the healthcare system. https://nursesadvocates.com. If you would like to reach Anne, feel free to email her at allewellyn48@gmail.com

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