Case Management Services

Case Management is a service provided to patients, families and guests of St. Joseph’s, as well as the communities we serve. The Case Management Department is located in the hospital, but reaches far beyond the hospital walls to meet the medical and social needs you may have as you experience changes in your health. Case Managers are available to help you identify and meet those needs.

Gay Strakshus, Director of Case Management, oversees Registered Nurses and Social Workers working as Case Managers in acute care units, the skilled nursing units, Home Health/Hospice, the Mercy Cancer Center, Outpatient Department, Denial and Appeals, the Emergency Department and other regional communities serviced by St. Joseph's. Case Managers are also available in the Chest Pain Unit, Mercy Pregnancy Care Clinic, and by consult with Heritage Physician Groups physicians, other physician offices and Lifemobile.

Case Management Services include determining the needs of the person through interview and evaluation, directing the person to resources and assistance, providing information, education, emotional support and advocacy services. Case Managers also assist you with providing precertification as a courtesy to you to inform your payor of your healthcare needs. We work closely with your physician(s) and other healthcare team members to gather all the information necessary for your insurance provider. If you do not have insurance, your Case Manager will work with the financial counselor to assist you with a payment plan. Case Managers also perform duties such as social services, ethical consultations, healthcare team coordination, crisis intervention, utilization review, and discharge planning. Discharge planning is available to you and your family to help decide the type of services you will need when you leave the hospital. Your Case Manager can arrange for referrals to community resources, placements in other facilities such as nursing homes, and transition to assisted living. Medical equipment, home health care, and transfers to other hospitals or rehabilitation facilities can also be arranged with an order from your physician.

Interpreter Services are another service Case Management can provide. If you or you family member need an interpreter, you can contact the Case Manager assigned to your area for a sign language interpreter or a language interpreter to meet your needs. It is your right to have medical services provided and explained to you in a way that you can understand.

Please call the Case Management Department at 622-1031 for any questions about Case Management or to make a referral for services.