1 How can care managers effect future change in the health care system? Be specific. Topic 2 Discuss the meaning and policy implications of the following statement: quality care is cost-effective care. Be specific. A response is needed for the discussion post below: 1. In the United States’ healthcare system, care management is critical. Care management services, ranging from discharge planning to coaching and case management, are provided by social workers, nurses, and others in healthcare organizations across the spectrum to encourage appropriate use of healthcare services and resources and to improve health and well-being outcomes. While the scope of healthcare-based care managers varies per organization, they are primarily concerned with meeting resource and care demands so that patients may heal and manage chronic illnesses. While there is a growing focus on long-term services and supports for older persons who are dually eligible for Medicare and Medicaid, care managers who work in healthcare organizations often have a broader scope, which includes supporting older adults who are not Medicaid-eligible. Individuals with heart failure can benefit from care managers if they develop relationships with them in order to identify factors that may exacerbate symptoms (such as smoking), provide education and reminders on fluid intake and weight monitoring, coordinate with home health or family caregivers on medication adherence, and connect patients with disease-specific support groups or self-management education classes (Ewald, 2022). 2. The degree to which health services for people and groups enhance the likelihood of desired health outcomes is referred to as quality of care. It is essential for obtaining universal health coverage since it is based on evidence-based professional expertise. As governments commit to achieve Health for All, the quality of care and health services must be carefully considered. Quality health care can be defined in a variety of ways, but there is a growing consensus that it should include: • Effective – providing individuals in need with evidence-based healthcare services; • Safe – preventing damage to those for whom the care is meant; and • People-centered – delivering care that is tailored to the preferences, requirements, and values of each individual (quality of care, 2022). References: Ewald, B., & Golden, R. (n.d.). The Role of Care Management in a Changing Healthcare System. ASA Generations. https://generations.asaging.org/care-management-changing-healthcare-system. Quality of care. (n.d.). World Health Organization. 2022.
