The Role of Case Management-Beginning to End Linda Hanf, RN, BSN, CCM, CRRN The Directions Group, Inc.

MANAGED HEALTH CARE PROVISIONS should look familiar to all NEW REGS APPROVED JAN AND EFFECTIVE FEB R Rehabilitation Professionals. R Communication Between Parties And Health Care Providers. Available at South Carolina Worker’s Compensation Commission web page

R Rehabilitation Professionals Rehabilitation professionals are coordinators of medical rehabilitation services, including but not limited to state, private, or carrier based, whether on site, telephonic, in or out of state. The role of a rehabilitation professional is to ensure the primary concern and commitment in each workers’ compensation case is to advance the medical rehabilitation of the injured worker. A rehabilitation professional must comply with S.C. Section and R when communicating with a health care provider who provides examination or treatment for any injury, disease, or condition for which compensation is sought. A rehabilitation professional shall possess one of the following certifications:

CERTIFICATIONS Registered Nurse – RN-(means have LICENSE for state) Certified Rehabilitation Counselor – CRC Certified Registered Rehabilitation Nurse – CRRN Certified Disability Management Specialist – CDMS Certified Occupational Health Nurse – COHN Certified Case Manager – CCM EACH HAS A STANDARD/COMPLIANCE REVIEW BOARD FOR COMPLAINTS/CONCERNS

Rehabilitation professionals shall be subject to the requirements, rules, regulations, and Code of Ethics specific to their license and certification. Held accountable through here first. Can lose certification or license.

R Communication Between Parties And Health Care Providers after July 2007

A. A health care provider who provides examination or treatment for any injury, disease or condition for which compensation is sought under the provisions of this title may discuss or communicate an employee’s medical history, diagnosis, causation course of treatment, prognosis, work restrictions, and impairments with the insurance carrier, employer, their respective attorneys or certified rehabilitation professionals or the Commission without the employee’s consent.

B. The claimant must be: 1. Notified by the employer, carrier or their representative requesting the discussion or communication with the health care provider in a timely fashion, but no less than ten (10) days notice unless the parties agree otherwise. Notification may be oral or in writing.

2. Allowed to attend and participate with claimant’s attorney, if any.

3. Advised by the employer, carrier or their representative requesting the discussion or communication prior to the discussion or communication.

4. Provided a copy of the written questions at the same time the questions are submitted to the health care provider and provided a copy of the response by the health care provider.

SO WHAT DOES IT MEAN-IS IT A GOOD THING? LOVE IT, LOVE IT, LOVE IT. CM HAVE GUIDELINES TO FOLLOW, BEFORE IT WAS EVERY PERSON DOING INTERPRETAION OF WHAT SHOULD BE DONE- (regardless of certifying agency). KEEPS US ETHICAL, HONEST, PROFESSIONAL (ALL GOOD THINGS). CAN ONLY DO WHAT IT SAYS, ADDS LEGITIMACY FOR DECLINING TO DO SUSPECT THINGS. POSSIBLE ISSUE-FOLLOW GUIDELINES OR PLEASE CUSTOMER- IS IT A BUSINESS DECISION??? STEPHEN RATLIFF..HELP HERE! NO ONE CAN ADD OR CHANGE WHAT YOU CAN OR CANNOT DO …LETTERS FROM ATTORNEY ASKING TO REVIEW LETTERS BEFORE SENDING TO MD-NOT REQUIRED. AGREEING TO ATTORNEY STIPULATIONS-NOT NECESSARY- GUIDELINES ARE CLEAR.

1.MAINTAIN OPEN COMMUNICATION WITH INJURED WORKER AND/OR ESPECIALLY ATTORNEY FROM BEGINNING OF CASE. 2.EXPLAIN ROLE TO INJURED WORKER/ATTORNEY AND AGREE TO WHAT WILL HAPPEN- FOR EXAMPLE-WILL ATTEND EACH APPOINTMENT, SEND LETTER WITH QUESTIONS EACH TIME?, WHAT ABOUT 10 DAYS RULE FOR MD APPT, FOR PT APPT-COMPLY WITH GUIDELINE. 3.PROVIDE COPIES OF CASE MANAGEMENT REPORTS TO ALL PARTIES/ UPDATES. NO SECRETS. 4.OBTAIN SIGNED MEDICAL RELEASE IF POSSIBLE. 5.KNOW THE SC GUIDELINES, CODE OF ETHICS FOR YOUR CERTIFICATION(S) AND STANDARDS OF PRACTICE FOR RN. 6.ALWAYS ADVOCATE FOR THE INJURED WORKER. 7.LET INJURED WORKER KNOW THEY HAVE RIGHT TO A PRIVATE EXAM. 8.IF ASKED TO ATTEND EXAM, DOCUMENT IN REPORT. 9.EDUCATE ATTORNEY OF GUIDELINES IF NECESSARY. BEST PRACTICES FOR CASE MANAGERS/REHABILITATION CONSULTANTS

WHEN DO WE CLOSE THE FILE? When IW no longer requires medical case management.  Treatment plan identified and accepted by all.  Return to work, restricted or full.  At MMI. Per carrier guidelines Not Case Manager decision always but all should be notified.

QUESTIONS???

Maisey Mindy (above) and Maisey (in basket) is pet therapy dog Brag a little