In general, the process of following up a patient through various types of treatment and helping with care. It also refers to a type of health care delivery with emphasis on the development of alternative treatment plans for patients who have been identified (by preadmission certification, diagnosis, etc.) As potentially high-cost cases. Once such a case has been identified, the case manager confers with the patient’s physician to develop a less expensive treatment plan and aftercare.
An individualized approach to coordinating patient care services, especially when clients with complex needs or chronic medical problems require multifaceted or interdisciplinary care. Case management is a particularly valuable approach to meeting the service needs of impaired older persons and others with chronic medical disabilities.