Faster than a speeding bullet: changes in medicare rules for the hospital case manager.

Purpose/objectives: Compliance with the various Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services rules and regulations is rapidly becoming a challenge in hospitals as the frequency and complexity of the new mandates have increased. Although compliance officers may oversee major elements emanating from the regulatory agencies, practical application during routine work activities requires current information and peer-to-peer reinforcement. This article addresses some of the more recent changes-or proposed changes-that may impact hospital case management practice and the case managers' role as patient advocate.

Hospitalists and case managers: the perfect partnership.

Part of every hospital case manager's strategic advocacy is the promotion of a consistent partnership with the patient's primary clinical player. The presence of hospitalists, a new and growing specialty, offers the case manager an opportunity to advance that partnership. Instead of having to wait for a doctor whose practice is outside the hospital to review a test result or order a procedure, hospitalists can do the same thing faster--leading to greater efficiency, better care, and shorter stays for patients.