Case Management: Functions & Tasks Martin B. Tracy, Ph.D. 4-7 November 2008 Ashgabat, Turkmenistan

What is Case Management? Case management is a method for coordinating the delivery of services The Case Manager is typically a professionally trained person, such as a Social Assistant or Social Worker

Goals of Case Management Help to identify persons at risk Prevent hospitalization & institutionalization Facilitate access to community care Coordinate formal and informal community health care options Ensure effective, efficient, accountable services within an agency

Qualities of a Case Manager A Case Manager is a professional who knows the formal and informal community resources and can provide management of care by coordinating the range of multiple services required by an individual

Professional Background Professional Case Managers usually have a background in social work, counseling, or a related healthcare field and are trained to assess individual situations and to implement and monitor a care plan in cooperation with the recipient

General Duties Case Managers help determine eligibility for entitlement, assess needs, and plan for long-term care (familiar with process for developing community-based services) Case Managers work with the recipients, families, and physicians, to identify needs and to arrange services to fit individual situations

Specific Duties Identifies and engages consumers Assesses needs Identifies available formal and informal resources Identifies the skills and capacities of the recipient Specifies the tasks of family members and others

Specific Duties Continued Identifies organizations and/or individuals who will provide services and resources Develops a service plan Assigns a service provider Identifies measurable, short-term objectives Specifies long-term goals

Duties Continued Specifies starting and ending dates of service Specifies fees, if any Monitors the process for targeted outcomes Maintains a written record of services Evaluates services for effectiveness and efficiency