CMSA Delivers Important Message to Congress: Case Management Services Improve Patient Care and Should Be Key Strategy in Health Care Reform Initiative
CMSA holds its third Public Policy Day in Washington, D.C.
LITTLE ROCK, Ark., May 13 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The Case Management Society of America (CMSA) held its third annual Public Policy Day on Capitol Hill on April 28 to increase awareness of case management and the vital care coordination services case managers perform across the health care continuum, as well as how these services can support federal health care reform efforts.
"Case management is still one of the best kept secrets in health care for improving clinical outcomes for patients and for lowering costs," stated Margaret Leonard, MS, RN-BC, FNP, CMSA President-Elect and Chairman of the CMSA Public Policy Committee. "CMSA hopes to build continued awareness with legislators and regulators on how case managers work collaboratively with physicians, pharmacists, and others to coordinate and manage individualized services to patients and their family caregivers."
Members of CMSA's Board of Directors, its Public Policy Committee, and various state chapter liaisons attended a total of 70 scheduled meetings with their respective congressional representatives or their staff. The 30 individuals representing 18 states saturated Capitol Hill to stress the significance of the following health care issues:
Case managers are licensed health care professionals providing patient assessment, treatment planning and health care facilitation pursuant to CMSA's national Standards of Practice.
They play a central role in promoting smooth transitions of care -- especially for the chronically ill.
Case management programs should become a centerpiece to health care reform at federal and state levels.
New guidelines are required to align payment incentives for case management services, including the establishment of new CPT Codes to help pay for these vital services.
Barriers to efficient case management should be reduced, such as promoting interstate nursing licensure compacts and promoting interoperable health IT platforms that include the treatment plans generated by case managers.
CMSA's Public Policy Day is an annual activity, and while the visits on Capitol Hill take place in a single day, this effort is only one component of a larger strategy to help CMSA members build continued awareness with legislators.
"The energy and enthusiasm of Case Management leaders at the third annual CMSA Lobby Day was infectious to say the least," said President, Jeff Frater, RN, BSN. "What was even more exciting for me was the warm reception and recognition that we experienced when visiting with legislators and their legislative aides. There in an increasing recognition of the value case management brings to the health care experience and a ripe opportunity to influence the future as health care reform is a front burner issue with significant momentum."
About Case Management Society of America (CMSA)
Established in 1990, the Case Management Society of America is an international non-profit 501(c)(6) multi-disciplinary professional association dedicated to the support and advancement of the case management profession through educational forums, networking opportunities, legislative advocacy, and establishing standards to advance the profession. It is based in Little Rock, AR, and serves more than 20,000 members/subscribers and 73 affiliate and pending chapters. Since its inception, CMSA has been at the forefront of setting professional standards for the industry, which allows for the highest level of efficiency and integrity, as well as developing national and local leaders who are recognized for their practice and professional excellence. For more information on CMSA, call CMSA at (501) 225-2229 or go to www.cmsa.org.
SOURCE Case Management Society of America
LITTLE ROCK, Ark., May 13 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The Case Management Society of America (CMSA) held its third annual Public Policy Day on Capitol Hill on April 28 to increase awareness of case management and the vital care coordination services case managers perform across the health care continuum, as well as how these services can support federal health care reform efforts.
"Case management is still one of the best kept secrets in health care for improving clinical outcomes for patients and for lowering costs," stated Margaret Leonard, MS, RN-BC, FNP, CMSA President-Elect and Chairman of the CMSA Public Policy Committee. "CMSA hopes to build continued awareness with legislators and regulators on how case managers work collaboratively with physicians, pharmacists, and others to coordinate and manage individualized services to patients and their family caregivers."
Members of CMSA's Board of Directors, its Public Policy Committee, and various state chapter liaisons attended a total of 70 scheduled meetings with their respective congressional representatives or their staff. The 30 individuals representing 18 states saturated Capitol Hill to stress the significance of the following health care issues:
Case managers are licensed health care professionals providing patient assessment, treatment planning and health care facilitation pursuant to CMSA's national Standards of Practice.
They play a central role in promoting smooth transitions of care -- especially for the chronically ill.
Case management programs should become a centerpiece to health care reform at federal and state levels.
New guidelines are required to align payment incentives for case management services, including the establishment of new CPT Codes to help pay for these vital services.
Barriers to efficient case management should be reduced, such as promoting interstate nursing licensure compacts and promoting interoperable health IT platforms that include the treatment plans generated by case managers.
CMSA's Public Policy Day is an annual activity, and while the visits on Capitol Hill take place in a single day, this effort is only one component of a larger strategy to help CMSA members build continued awareness with legislators.
"The energy and enthusiasm of Case Management leaders at the third annual CMSA Lobby Day was infectious to say the least," said President, Jeff Frater, RN, BSN. "What was even more exciting for me was the warm reception and recognition that we experienced when visiting with legislators and their legislative aides. There in an increasing recognition of the value case management brings to the health care experience and a ripe opportunity to influence the future as health care reform is a front burner issue with significant momentum."
About Case Management Society of America (CMSA)
Established in 1990, the Case Management Society of America is an international non-profit 501(c)(6) multi-disciplinary professional association dedicated to the support and advancement of the case management profession through educational forums, networking opportunities, legislative advocacy, and establishing standards to advance the profession. It is based in Little Rock, AR, and serves more than 20,000 members/subscribers and 73 affiliate and pending chapters. Since its inception, CMSA has been at the forefront of setting professional standards for the industry, which allows for the highest level of efficiency and integrity, as well as developing national and local leaders who are recognized for their practice and professional excellence. For more information on CMSA, call CMSA at (501) 225-2229 or go to www.cmsa.org.
SOURCE Case Management Society of America
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