Archive | 2015

SCs can help make a smooth transition home

By Renee on December 22, 2015 in Resources

Talking to members about the transition home before and after a hospitalization is vital for service coordinators involved with the process.

Phina Smith-Hamilton, Director of Case Management at Henry Ford Hospital stated that service coordinators could be instrumental in providing referrals to additional care givers after a member is discharged. “It depends on what services are needed when it comes to community services, and the service coordinator being in touch with the patient after the hospitalization.”

Edie English, Director of Nursing at Beaumont Hospital in Taylor said patients have to disclose to discharge planners if he or she wants the service coordinator to be involved with the transition home.

English said that Beaumont currently uses home care agencies and The Senior Alliance to provide support to patients leaving the hospital. Sometimes, Adult Protective Services is used to make sure that the patient is safe in the home.

English suggested that home safety assessments could be one way that service coordinators could help. Currently, the hospital uses outside agencies, such as home care agencies, to conduct home safety assessments.

A priority for discharge planners, English said, is to “ensure a safe discharge in the safest location possible.” Additionally, care transitions involve making sure the patient is taking their medication correctly and a follow-up plan to keep the patients home.

The main priority for all professionals involved is to provide quality, person-centered care. “It really depends on the patient,” English said. “What does the patient expect out of the relationship? It’s about doing the right thing for the patient.”

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Code of Ethics Turns 55

By Brenda on December 1, 2015 in General information, Reference Information

The NASW Code of Ethics turns 55. Below is the original Code of Ethics from 1960 and today’s Code.

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Tips on Coping with Major Health Setbacks

By Brenda on November 30, 2015 in General information, Reference Information

Good article written by a former clinical social worker.

http://www.charlotteobserver.com/living/health-family/article46097785.html

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Elder Abuse Article

By Brenda on November 17, 2015 in Reference Information

An article on the multi-disciplinary approach needed to identify elder abuse.

http://khn.org/news/doctors-lawyers-and-even-the-bank-can-help-identify-elder-abuse/

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AASC youtube about service coordination

By Karen on October 16, 2015 in Front Page Announcement Only

This video about service coordination explains the basics of what we do, for those who have no idea about SCs.

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Medicare Annual Wellness Exam

By Brenda on September 16, 2015 in Medicare, Reference Information

Below is a great flyer about the Annual Wellness Exam now covered under Medicare.

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Medicare Coverage of a CPAP

By Brenda on August 24, 2015 in Health and Medical, Medicare, Resources

Original Medicare will cover an initial three-month trial of your CPAP device if you have been diagnosed with obstructive sleep apnea. At the end of the trial, Medicare will continue to pay for the device if your doctor certifies that you have benefited from the device and used it properly.

Before the three-month trial, your physician and supplier must submit paperwork to Medicare to justify your need for a CPAP device. Although it is their job to know these requirements, familiarizing yourself with them can help to avoid errors and navigate any challenges that arise.

To qualify for coverage of a three-month CPAP trial, Original Medicare requires certain steps:

Your doctor must diagnose you with obstructive sleep apnea based on an examination and subsequent sleep test. This test can be performed in your home or at an approved facility.
Your doctor must certify that you had a face-to-face exam with him/her or another health professional within the six-month period before the CPAP was ordered.
You must use a Medicare-approved supplier who provides you and/or your caregiver with instructions about proper use and care for the CPAP device. Many areas including Chesapeake, Virginia are called competitive bidding regions, which means Medicare will usually only pay for most durable medical equipment (DME) from a select group of suppliers, known as contract suppliers.
Lastly, for continued coverage of your CPAP device following the three-month trial, your provider must re-evaluate you during those initial three months. He or she must certify that the CPAP device is helping you and that you are using it as recommended.

If these conditions are met, Medicare will cover 80 percent of the rental fees for a CPAP device for 13 months, once the Part B deductible is met. After that you will own the device. Note that these 13 months include the three-month trial. Medicare will also pay 80 percent of the cost of CPAP supplies, such as masks and tubing.

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Parkinson’s Disease Resources

By Brenda on June 23, 2015 in Health and Medical, Resources

I received a letter in the mail from the Parkinson’s Disease Foundation with some available resources. They are:

CEU Opportunities: They host six webinars a year on topics such as medication management, physical therapy and advanced PD. Their next series kicks off in September. To learn more, you can visit www.pdf.org/parkinsononline

Free Educational Materials: Booklets including PD Resource List, Parkinson’s Disease Q & A and more than 40 fact sheets. To order go to support.pdf.org/publications

National HelpLine: (800) 457-6676 or email info@pdf.org (available Monday – Friday, 9 am – 5 pm Eastern Time).

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