CMSA Blog
Stay in the know on the most recent updates and best practices for case management. Gain insight from peers in the field as well as leading experts. From legislative initiatives to real-world applications for the latest practices, the CMSA Blog is the go-to resource for new and seasoned case managers. Find every perspective HERE!
The Latest in Case Management
My Case Management Marathon
By Maryann Ott, BSN, RN, CCM, CPC As Case Management Month 2026 comes to a close, I’ve been reflecting on how I became interested in CMSA and pursued my Certified Case Manager (CCM) credential. It...
Patient Choice Isn’t a Checkbox, It’s a Decision: 5 Practices for Making It Meaningful (And Compliant)
By Shara Ragan, LMSW, Clinical Executive at Aidin A hospital stay can hold frightening, even life-changing moments, and the conversation about what comes next is rarely the loudest one. But it’s a...
Beyond the Alphabet Soup: Presenting Your Credentials with Confidence in Case Management
By Heather Kelly, MSN, RN, BCPA, CPC How You Display Your Credentials Matters Let’s be honest, those letters after your name can sometimes look like alphabet soup. But once you understand what...
Career Advancement & Advice
On the Value of Belonging to a Professional Organization
By Gary Wolfe, RN, CCM, FCM Occasionally, the questions arise: Why should I belong to a professional organization like CMSA? Where is the value of being a member of CMSA? Even when...
Developing Leaders: Essential Coaching Techniques for Teens and Adults
By Ed Carter Developing leadership skills in adolescents and adults requires a thoughtful approach combining support, guidance, and growth-fostering strategies. Coaching is vital in helping...
Why I Became A Case Manager and How CMSA Shaped My Journey
By Cynthia Hopkins, RN, MBA/HCM, ACM-RN, CCM My journey into case management began while I was working as a nurse manager; I vividly remember the CNO and CEO frequently talking about grooming me to...
Professional Development
Celebrating Us! Celebrating Leadership! Celebrating the Future of Case Management!
10 Reasons to Join Us October 3 for CMSA’s Virtual Leadership Conference By Janet S. Coulter, MSN, MS, RN, CCM, FCM The Case Management Society of America’s 2nd Annual Virtual Leadership Conference...
Perspectives of an Older Case Manager
By Michael B. Garrett, MS, CCM, CVE, CPCHE I have been involved with professional case management practice for more than 40 years. My experience has included workers’ compensation, long-term...
CMSA Fellow Class of 2026
By Gary Wolfe, RN, CCM, FCM At the Annual CMSA Conference the CMSA Fellows Class of 2026 was introduced. The Fellow Program was introduced in 2021 to recognize distinguished...
Perspectives
Perspectives of an Older Case Manager
By Michael B. Garrett, MS, CCM, CVE, CPCHE I have been involved with professional case management practice for more than 40 years. My experience has included workers’ compensation, long-term...
The Surprising Connection Between Letterboxing and Case Management
By Janet Coulter, MSN, MS, RN, CCM, FCM At first glance, letterboxing may seem far removed from healthcare. It is an outdoor treasure-hunting activity where participants follow clues to...
Returning People to Work Starts with Returning Them to Life – I learned that as a mother.
Mental Health Recovery, Medical Privacy, How to Secure Mental Health Records By Diann Cohen Mental health conversations are finally becoming more open in both our personal lives and the workplace....
Health and Wellness
The Conversation We Cannot Afford to Avoid: Sexual Health, Chronic Illness, and the Case Manager’s Role
By Heather R. Kelly, MSN, RN, BCPA, CPC Have you ever cared for a young adult with cancer? Looked a patient in the eyes as they realized they may never have biological children? Sat with a young...
Do You Know August?
By Sandra Zawalski, MSN Ed, CRRN, CCM, MSCC Did you know August is National Wellness Month and taking small Steps can have a lasting Impact? As summer begins to wind down, August provides a natural...
The Healing Power of Humor: Why Sometimes the Best Medicine Isn’t in the Care Plan
By Heather Kelly, MSN, RN, BCPA, CPC Let’s start with an uncomfortable truth: chronic illness, fear of the unknown, and conversations about end-of-life care are not exactly punchline...
Case Management
The Power of Active Listening and Individualized Discharge Planning
By Eleanor Diaz, MSN, BSN, BA, ACM-RN, ONN-CG One case that deeply touched my heart reinforced the importance of conducting comprehensive assessments and developing individualized care plans. It...
What Case Managers Are Telling Us About Equity in Practice
By Colleen Morley DNP RN CCM CMAC CMGT-BC CMCN ACM-RN FCM FAACM There’s something both encouraging and eye-opening about what case managers across the country are sharing about equity in...
Just Because I Can, Should Not Mean I Have to: Lessons from the Hospitalization of a Family Member for Professional Case Managers
By Dr. Ellen Fink-Samnick DBH, MSW, LCSW, ACSW, CCM, CCTP, CRP, FCM One of the biggest challenges for healthcare professionals is when our family and friends have a...
Clinical Care
Hidden in Plain Sight: Chronic Kidney Disease
By Janet Coulter, MSN, MS, RN, CCM, FCM Did you know that chronic kidney disease (CKD) affects more than 1 in 7 adults in the United States? That is approximately 35.5 million Americans and...
Beyond the Diagnosis: Supporting a Rural Navy Veteran/ RN / First Responder at the World Trade Center Through Complex Pulmonary Care
By Anna Zimmerly, BSN, RN Case management is never one-size-fits-all. Each member brings a unique story, shaped by their health history, environment, and lived experience. As a Case Manager with the...
How Are You Listening To Your Patients?
By Heidi Steinhebel RN, BSN, CCM I began my case management journey working with catastrophic patients who primarily had a cancer diagnosis. It required me to quickly become well-versed in various...
Advocacy and Policy
CMSA Advocate for Change: A Successful Virtual Hill Visit Experience
By Ron Ordona, DNP, FNP-BC, GS-C, WCC In the ever-evolving landscape of healthcare advocacy, CMSA and case managers have taken a proactive role in shaping policies that impact patient care, access...
Breaking the Chains: Understanding Sex Trafficking in America
By Lisa Lucchesi, MPH Sex trafficking is a pervasive human rights violation that affects people of all ages, genders, and backgrounds across the United States. It involves the exploitation of...
Gun Control: A Public Health Issue
By Laura Ostrowsky, RN, CCM, MUP, FCM In August 2024, there were three separate incidents of accidental shootings by children aged 3, 5, and 8; two were fatal. On the first day of school in...
The views and opinions expressed are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect those of CMSA.