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You are a registered nurse who is performing the role of a case manager in your hospital. You have been asked to present a class to newly employed nurses about your role, your responsibilities and how they can collaborate with you as the case manager. Which of the following is a primary case management responsibility associated with reimbursement that you should you include in this class?

  • A

    The case manager’s role in terms of organization wide performance improvement activities

  • B

    The case manager’s role in terms complete, timely and accurate documentation

  • C

    The case manager’s role in terms of the clients’ being at the appropriate level of care

  • D

    The case manager’s role in terms of contesting denied reimbursements

Correct Response: C

Registered nurse case managers have a primary case management responsibility associated with reimbursement because they are responsible for insuring that the client is being cared for at the appropriate level of care along the continuum of care that is consistent with medical necessity and the client’s current needs. A failure to insure the appropriate level of care jeopardizes reimbursement. For example, care in an acute care facility will not be reimbursed when the client’s current needs can be met in a subacute or long term care setting.

Nurse case managers do not have organization wide performance improvement activities, the supervision of complete, timely and accurate documentation or challenging denied reimbursements in their role. These roles and responsibilities are typically assumed by quality assurance/performance improvement, supervisory staff and medical billers, respectively.