NEWS FROM
CARF…THE REHABILITATION ACCREDITATION COMMISSION
Providing Case Management Telehealth— Am I Ready? Christine M. MacDonell, FACRM
A
s COVID 19 began in early 2020, states moved at different rates to begin shutting down health and human services. Many of the individuals who were receiving case management services and case managers had limited mechanisms for face-to-face meetings. Access to nonemergency care was restricted. Being able to serve individuals became part of strategic planning, financial planning, and workforce development. Case managers and all health care providers had to explore new methods to provide services. Many turned to using telehealth to provide their services. Behavioral health is one health and human service arena that has used telehealth for many years, and behavioral health care providers are aware of the challenges of providing quality telehealth services. Some the challenges that need to be met in telehealth are: • Case managers may need training on how to set up, use, maintain, and
Christine M. MacDonell, FACRM, is the Managing Director of Medical Rehabilitation and International Aging Services/Medical Rehabilitation in Tucson, Arizona. She is part of the medical rehabilitation team responsible for the training of CARF surveyors and for the development and revision of CARF standards. 12 CareManagement April/May 2021
Based on the individualized plan for the person served, the use of information and communication technology allows providers to see, hear, and/or interact with persons served, families/support system members, and other providers in remote settings.
troubleshoot the technology used. • Persons served in case management may need equipment (eg, laptops, tablets, wireless access). Some equipment may be loaned to mitigate access barriers. This requires the financial capability to provide and/or loan this equipment. • Separate language channels may be needed for persons who require interpreters • A box of tools and equipment may be needed if arranging physical and/or occupational therapy so that the persons served can participate in the therapy session. • Case managers need to learn how to broadcast sessions over HIPAAcompliant telehealth services. • Case managers need to be knowledgeable about a variety of funding sources that allow telehealth services. • Case managers need to be aware of whether programs/services they are arranging for persons served use telehealth in a responsible and
knowledgeable manner. • Safety protocols must be established for both the persons served and case managers. CARF International, as an accreditor, has many organizations providing telehealth services. In the Technology standards, CARF describes information and communication technology (ICT) in the following manner: Based on the individualized plan for the person served, the use of ICT allows providers to see, hear, and/or interact with persons served, families/ support system members, and other providers in remote settings. The use of technology for strictly informational purposes such as having a website that provides information about the programs/services available is not considered providing services via the use of ICT. The provision of services via ICT may: • Include services such as assessment, monitoring, prevention, intervention, follow-up, supervision, education, consultation, and counseling. • Involve a variety of professionals such as case managers, service coordinators, social workers, psychologists, speech-language pathologists, occupational therapists, physical therapists, physicians, nurses, rehabilitation engineers, assistive technologists, and teachers. continues on page 35
