Hospice Care
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The State of Hospice

BY SARA DADO, BSW, MSW, LCSW
November has always been one of my favorite months of the year. Partially because of fall and Thanksgiving and family time and all the things that come along with preparing for the holiday season. But also because it is National Hospice and Palliative Care Month, a time of year when the focus turns to the sector of our healthcare system where much of my professional career has been spent.

Legal issues
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Estate and Medicaid Planning: What Case Managers Need to Know 101

BY RONALD R. KEARNS, RN, ESQ.
Case managers play a key role in helping patients navigate the complicated maze of the continuum of care from hospital, rehabilitation and then back home. Important legal considerations include having appropriate legal documents such as healthcare proxy, HIPAA authorization and a durable power of attorney; accessing Medicaid and other benefits to help pay for care at home or in a nursing home; protecting assets from potential long-term care costs; and avoiding probate. A referral to an elder law attorney is a valuable resource to help the patient break through any legal and financial barriers to access benefits and to get an appropriate estate plan in place.

Regulatory issues
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Incorporating Frailty Standards into Case Management

By TIFFANY FERGUSON, LMSW, CMAC, ACM
The Age-Friendly Hospital Rating, introduced as part of the CMS 2025 Inpatient Prospective Payment System (IPPS) Final Rule (HHS, 2024), highlights an opportunity for case managers to play a pivotal role in enhancing care for older adults.

Legal issues
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California’s Epple Act to Long-Term Care Patient Representative Program: Solution to Nursing Home and Intermediate Care Facility Mentally Incapacitated Residents’ Care Gaps

BY PAUL BORJA, RN, DNP, EdD, PhD, PHN, CCM, ACM-RN, CMAC, CMCN, CNML, CMGT-BC, CDONA, FACDONA, FAACM
Healthcare decision-making is always optimal when coming from the patient. However, if the patient cannot make those decisions, a surrogate decisionmaker would be the following route to obtain medical decisions for care planning. But what happens when no family, friends, dedicated decision-maker or power of attorney exists?

End-Of-Life Care
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Collaborating with End-of-Life Doulas to Support Patients Needs

BY LOREN TALBOT, INELDA’S DIRECTOR OF PARTNERSHIPS AND COMMUNICATIONS
The death positive movement of the past decade has ushered in a new wave of death awareness and willingness to discuss and plan for end-of-life. Along with that wave has come the accession of end-of-life doulas, also known as death doulas or death companions. While the role of end-of-life doulas may be new to some, aspects of the support we offer has always been threaded through communities.

End-Of-Life Care
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A Day in the Life of a Death Doula

BY CATHERINE DURKIN ROBINSON
When most people think of doulas, they think of non-medical professionals helping to facilitate the birth of babies. And they’d be right! But there are other kinds of doulas, too.

WORKFORCE
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The Silver Tsunami Is Hitting. Is Your Department Ready?

BY PEGGY A. ROSSI, BSN, MPA – AUTHOR AND RETIRED RN/PHN, CCM, ACM-RN, CMAC
I have long considered case managers as the ICU of a healthcare organization’s revenue cycle. As the “silver tsunami” hits your organization, we may all need to think about what we might have to do to preserve our role while also working to help our hospital or organization financially survive.

Past President's Corner
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Geriatric Care, End-of-Life Planning, and Hospice Support

BY DR. COLLEEN MORLEY, DNP, RN, CCM, CMAC, CMCN, CMGT BC, ACM-RN, IQCI, FCM, FAACM
As we continue to evolve in our role as case managers, the themes in this edition of CMSA Today touch upon some of the most profound and meaningful aspects of our practice: geriatric care, end-of-life planning, and hospice support. These themes are both timely and essential as we see the demographic shift of a growing aging population and face the unique challenges this presents in healthcare. Navigating the complexities of elder care requires not only clinical knowledge and organizational expertise but also a deep understanding of compassion, dignity and advocacy.

Association News
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Celebrating 35 Years of CMSA: A Legacy of Leadership in Case Management

This year marks a significant milestone for the Case Management Society of America (CMSA) as we celebrate 35 years of advancing the professional practice of case management. From its humble beginnings in 1990 to its status today as a recognized leader in healthcare, CMSA’s journey is a testament to the power of collaboration, advocacy and unwavering commitment to quality care.

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