CBHCM Coordination of Care 3 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: In care coordination, the term 'warm handoff' refers to:
- Mailing a referral letter to a specialist
- A direct introduction between the client and the new provider before the case manager steps back (Correct answer)
- Closing a case after all goals are met
- Transferring a client file electronically
Correct answer: A direct introduction between the client and the new provider before the case manager steps back
A warm handoff involves the case manager directly introducing the client to the next provider, improving engagement and reducing dropout.
Question 2: A case manager is developing a care plan for a client with bipolar disorder who recently lost their job. Which approach BEST reflects a strengths-based coordination model?
- Focus exclusively on the client's psychiatric symptoms
- Identify the client's past coping skills and community supports to build recovery goals (Correct answer)
- Place the client in a day treatment program immediately
- Refer the client to disability benefits without exploring employment options
Correct answer: Identify the client's past coping skills and community supports to build recovery goals
A strengths-based approach identifies existing client capabilities and resources to build a recovery-oriented care plan.
Question 3: Under HIPAA, a behavioral health case manager may share a client's protected health information with other treatment providers without a separate written authorization when:
- The client has verbally agreed to the disclosure
- The disclosure is for treatment purposes among the treating team (Correct answer)
- The information involves only general mental health diagnoses
- The provider is a family member of the client
Correct answer: The disclosure is for treatment purposes among the treating team
HIPAA's Treatment, Payment, and Health Care Operations (TPO) provisions allow sharing PHI among treating providers without separate authorization.
Question 4: A case manager is working with a client who refuses to sign a release of information but needs coordinated care from multiple providers. The case manager's BEST action is to:
- Share information anyway because it is in the client's best interest
- Respect the client's refusal, document it, and explore the client's concerns about sharing (Correct answer)
- Discharge the client from services for non-compliance
- Contact the providers without the client's knowledge
Correct answer: Respect the client's refusal, document it, and explore the client's concerns about sharing
Respecting client autonomy includes honoring refusals and exploring the reasons, which may reveal concerns that can be addressed to build trust.
Question 5: Which federal program specifically funds community mental health centers to provide coordinated behavioral health services to underserved populations?
- Medicare Part D
- The Community Mental Health Act (CMHC Block Grant) (Correct answer)
- The Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
- TRICARE
Correct answer: The Community Mental Health Act (CMHC Block Grant)
The Community Mental Health Block Grant funds community mental health centers to deliver coordinated services to underserved and low-income populations.
Question 6: A case manager receives a referral for a client with major depression who also has a history of opioid use disorder. The MOST appropriate level of care coordination involves:
- Treating only the depression until it is resolved before addressing substance use
- Coordinating simultaneous treatment for both conditions using an integrated care approach (Correct answer)
- Referring the client exclusively to a substance use program
- Deferring any coordination until the client is stabilized in detox
Correct answer: Coordinating simultaneous treatment for both conditions using an integrated care approach
Co-occurring disorders are most effectively treated with integrated, simultaneous approaches rather than sequential single-disorder treatment.
Question 7: In population health management, a behavioral health case manager uses risk stratification PRIMARILY to:
- Determine which clients are eligible for Medicaid
- Identify high-need clients who require intensive care coordination (Correct answer)
- Decide which clients should be discharged from services
- Calculate insurance reimbursement rates
Correct answer: Identify high-need clients who require intensive care coordination
Risk stratification categorizes clients by complexity and need so that the most intensive case management resources are directed to highest-risk individuals.
CBHCM Coordination of Care 3
In care coordination, the term 'warm handoff' refers to: