How can case managers help with patients’ financial barriers to care?

Case managers play a critical role in addressing the financial barriers that patients may encounter in accessing care. By managing healthcare expenses and developing solutions, they help patients navigate the complexities of medical costs, insurance coverage, and available financial assistance programs. This support can include reviewing patients' insurance plans, identifying changes in coverage, and finding alternative payment options or resources, such as community programs or subsidies.

The approach of addressing financial concerns allows case managers to ensure that patients receive the necessary care without foregoing treatment due to cost issues. By advocating for patients and collaborating with other healthcare providers and organizations, case managers can facilitate a path toward affordable care, ultimately improving health outcomes.

In contrast to this approach, ignoring financial concerns could leave patients unable to access necessary treatments, while increasing the cost of treatments would exacerbate their financial struggles. Allowing patients to manage their finances independently, without guidance or support, may lead to them missing out on vital resources and assistance that they may not be aware of. Thus, the correct answer highlights the proactive and supportive role that case managers have in mitigating financial barriers to care.