What is the role of a case manager in healthcare?

The role of a case manager in healthcare primarily involves evaluating client needs and coordinating services. Case managers work to assess patients' requirements across various domains, including healthcare, social services, and community resources. This involves understanding the specific needs of individuals, particularly those with complex health conditions, and creating a tailored plan that ensures they receive the appropriate care and support.

This coordination is crucial, as it helps to facilitate communication among healthcare providers, patients, and families, ensuring that everyone is aligned on the patient's care plan. Case managers also actively link patients to necessary services, which can include arranging appointments, connecting to specialists, and facilitating ongoing monitoring of the patient’s progress.

By focusing on the comprehensive needs of the client, case managers play a vital role in improving health outcomes and optimizing the use of healthcare resources, rather than providing direct medical care, managing finances for the healthcare team, or substituting for healthcare providers. Each of those roles requires different skill sets and responsibilities that are not aligned with the primary duties of a case manager.