BID Needham is committed to a case management program that promotes consistency and ensures safe and clinically appropriate discharge planning. The team consists of RN Case Managers and Masters of Social Work staff who are responsible for coordinating your discharge plan. The case management staff assess patient and family needs, consult with your physicians, and collaborate with insurance-based case managers to develop a post-hospital transition plan. The transition plan may include arranging for skilled home health care services or arranging for transfer to a skilled nursing facility or an acute rehabilitation facility for ongoing rehabilitation services. An essential component of the case management program is linking patients back to their community, primary care physician and local resources. The hospital’s case management program is staffed seven days a week.

Should you or your family have questions regarding your discharge plan you can discuss your concerns with the case management staff and your physician. In addition, if you disagree with your hospital discharge and/or discharge plan, you may contact your insurance provider and follow their instructions.

Social work services are available to you and your family during your hospital stay. Our licensed, master’s-prepared social workers (MSW) will address and provide support regarding your medically related psychosocial needs which can result from the stress of illness and hospitalization that may impact medical treatment, recovery and transition from one care environment to another. A social worker can guide you to support services both within the Beth Israel Deaconess Hospital–Needham system and in the community where you live.

Our case managers are responsible for providing oversight of the use of services available to you while you are hospitalized. Federal law requires that hospitals provide a system to oversee the appropriate utilization of services to ensure high quality care at the most reasonable cost to you and your health care insurer. This oversight of appropriate utilization of services is referred to as utilization review. Case managers make use of Interqual guidelines and discuss your treatment plan and goals of care with your physician and your insurance company when performing utilization reviews. Utilization Review confirms that you are receiving the most appropriate medical care during your hospitalization.

Should you or your family wish to speak to your case manager or your social worker please contact the Case Management Department at 781-453-5414.