[jfpruitt]

I am currently a disability examiner for SSA. I have an active caseload of between 130-160 claims. I have to order medical, review medical charts, labs, etc and decide if these individuals are disabled based on SSA rules. I have been doing this for 5 years now. I am also currently getting a RN degree in May. I decided to return to school because I missed contact with others. I have been told that with my BS in biology, my 5 years with SSA doing claims, and my RN degree, that a case management position would be ideal for me. I would hate to waste my 5 years of experience here if I go to a floor RN position. However, I really don't know alot about the CM. Is case management similar to that of disability claims? I would think workman's comp and insurance claims are similar to that of disability b/c they both have similar guidelines. When I graduate I have SOO many options as a RN. I could go straight into med/surg, CCU, ER, etc. Or, I could pursue something like this. I really like my job now, just wish I had more patient contact. I also hear working from home is GREAT!!!! So, here is my question. Based on my experience and future RN degree, do you think case management is something up my ally?? Also, not to sound materialistic, but what kind of pay ranges could I expect? Right now I barely make $30k a year as an examiner. I know I will make more as a floor RN, but wonder about case management? I spoke with a case manager in my area who says her company pays per hour per case. You carry a caseload of 20 cases and they each are considered 2 hours for full time. But, I never received an answer on pay scale. Just wondering if this pays more than floor RN at my local hospital. Anyways, thanks for reading and responding.

[lynnintn]

JF
Congrats on your nursing degree; it looks like you have a great background for case management; you need to check out the sites below, re: certification requirements for CCM and CDMS.

You don't have to be certified to practice, but guidelines vary from state to state. In TN, w/c case management is regulated by the TN dept. of labor. Check out the CCM and CDMS sites to get an idea of what constitutes case management from a certification standpoint.

I have been a w/c cm since 1992, and am still at it. You can email me privately if you have any questions @ kcwarden@aol.com.

Kim
CCMcertification

CDMScertification