Commission for Case Manager Certification calls for comments on revised Code of Conduct

MOUNT LAUREL, N.J., Oct. 1, 2014 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The Commission for Case Manager Certification (the Commission), the nation's oldest and largest certification body for case managers, is seeking input from case managers and other interested parties on its revised Code of Professional Conduct for Case Managers (the Code). The deadline for public comment is Oct. 31, 2014.

"One of the principles of the Code itself is that board-certified case managers help maintain the integrity of the Code through public comment on revisions," said Patrice Sminkey, the Commission's CEO. Originally adopted in 1996, the Commission developed the code to assure quality and protect the public interest. It includes broad principles--advisory in nature--and proscriptive rules and standards for professional conduct. Compliance with the rules and standards in the Code is mandatory for every case manager earning the Commission's board-certified case manager credential, the CCM®.

Commissioners from across varied work settings, including worker's compensation, health care providers, health plans and the military contributed to the rigorous, multi-step revision process. Part 2 of the Code, governing procedures for hearing ethical complaints, was distributed for public comment in 2013. Following review of recommendations from across the industry, that portion was approved by the CCMC Board in January 2014.

The current public comment period directly concerns changes to Part 1—the principles, rules and standards for conduct. It covers common concerns in case management ethics, such as conflict of interest and client relationships—as well as a statement of core values and standards for advocacy, professional responsibility, keeping electronic records secure and client data private.

"Implementation of the Affordable Care Act has magnified the critical nature of key case management functions--for example, care coordination and communication across settings for smooth transitions in care," Sminkey said. "The Commission has accelerated its workforce development efforts and expanded eligibility for board certification to more allied health professionals. We are addressing the real-world need for case managers that can demonstrate knowledge and competency through our research-based exam."

Perhaps the most significant changes to the Code are formalized definitions of case management terminology that reference industry-accepted standards. 

"It's a time of great change in health care, and the Commission found it appropriate to re-examine the Code in that light," said Jo Carter, BSN, RN, CCM, the Commission's chair. "Compliance with the Code sets board-certified case managers apart as client advocates who keep ethical practice top of mind and underscores their responsibility to put the patient first and follow ethical principles to protect the client's safety, privacy and autonomy."

The proposed Code is available for review at http://ccmcertification.org/center-stage/public-comment-code-professional-conduct-part-i. The Commission will only accept comments through this online method. After the public comment period is complete, a task force will convene to review all comments and address the need for additional revisions. The final revised Code of Professional Conduct is expected to be released in 2015.

About the Commission for Case Manager Certification 
The Commission for Case Manager Certification (the Commission) is the first and largest nationally accredited organization that certifies more than 35,000 professional case managers. The Commission is a nonprofit, volunteer organization that oversees the process of case manager certification with its CCM^® credential. The Commission is positioned as the most active and prestigious certification organization supporting the practice of case management. For more information, visit www.ccmcertification.org, connect with the Commission on Facebook or follow us on Twitter @CCM_Cert.

SOURCE Commission for Case Manager Certification