Celebrating National Case Management Week 2025

October 12–18 is National Case Management Week, a time to recognize the vital role care management professionals play in the health care system. At Carilion, we proudly use the term Care Management to reflect the breadth of our department and the collaborative work we do across all settings, from inpatient units and observation to the children’s hospital, pre-surgical planning, and the emergency department. Our team provides coverage at every Carilion hospital, ensuring patients and families receive the right support at the right time.

Care Management is about more than logistics and discharging patients. It’s about bridging the gap between clinical care and life beyond the hospital. Our services are designed to guide patients and families through the complexities of hospitalization and support them as they transition back into their communities.

• Nurse Case Managers use their clinical expertise to coordinate essential services.  They work with the care team during patients’ hospitalizations to determine appropriate skilled services for home health or hospice services.  Nurse case managers arrange needed home infusion and medical equipment before discharges. Additionally, they collaborate on medications and help overcome financial or logistical barriers supporting optimal health outcomes. They anticipate needs and advocate for patients at every step.
• Social Workers provide comprehensive assessments, helping patients and families address psychosocial needs and adjust to life changes after discharge. They can review appropriate levels of care needed to facilitate a safe transition with the patient and their support system. This is done with a goal to maximize outcomes of the quality care provided to them in the hospital and in recovery after discharge. Our team of Social Workers can assist with advocacy across other systems in the complex healthcare environment such as insurance, access to care, post-acute options both within and outside of the home and community resources.
• Central Resource Center staff work behind the scenes on insurance authorizations, patient notices, and data tracking, making top of skill set practice possible for the entire team. They solve problems and escalate quickly to resolve throughput and access to care issues in support of the Care Management team and organizational throughput goals. Whether navigating an expedited insurance authorization, delivering a required patient notification timely at the bedside, or assisting the team with setting up appeals and peer to peer discussion between our physicians and the insurance company their work is essential to supporting the access to care gains we have seen. 

Together, these professionals balance quality, cost, and collaboration—all while keeping patients at the center. All with a watchful eye on utilization of resources, and access to care.  This week, we celebrate their dedication, compassion, and expertise. 

Care Management truly is the backbone of patient-centered transitions, and its impact is felt in every patient journey.