Ask MyCaseManager Monday- Does my doctor have a Case Manager?

Dear MyCaseManager,

Do all doctor’s offices offer Case Management services?  Do you think I would potentially have access to someone like you at my doctor’s office?

The doctor’s office based Case Manager model is not one that I have seen in many health systems, however, because of it’s success, I think we will be seeing more of it.   I certainly recommend that you ask your doctor about it if you think you would benefit from Case Management services.  What you will more commonly find are Case Manager’s that coordinate care for patients with high cost medical needs, like spinal cord injury, preemie infants, cancer diagnoses, etc.  A Case Manager like this would assist with referrals and authorizations and coordinate care between specialists.  If you have a work related injury or illness, you most certainly will be assigned a Worker’s Compensation Case Manager, who’s job it is to make sure you have appropriate care and support so you can recover from your injury or illness.

The doctor’s I work with really value having a Case Manager in their office to assist them with the management of their patients and I know that our patient’s appreciate having a source of information and an advocate.  I hope more hospital systems adopt this model of care.