Certified Rehabilitation Registered Nurse (CRRN) Practice Exam

What must an internal case manager do when arranging for equipment in the home environment?

1. Evaluate the patient's living conditions

2. Identify if the payer source has contracts with any vendors

3. Assess the patient's medical needs

4. Coordinate with family members

The correct answer is: Identify if the payer source has contracts with any vendors

When arranging for equipment in the home environment, it is crucial for an internal case manager to identify whether the payer source has contracts with any vendors. This step is vital because understanding these agreements will help ensure that the equipment needed by the patient is covered financially and can be delivered efficiently. It streamlines the process of obtaining the necessary equipment by making sure that the chosen vendors are approved by the patient's insurance or payer source, thereby avoiding potential delays or issues related to cost coverage. In the home care context, knowing which vendors are associated with the insurance plan can significantly impact the patient’s access to needed supplies and equipment, as well as the overall management of the care plan. Coordination with vendors that are in network helps to facilitate approvals, minimizes out-of-pocket costs for the patient, and ensures timely access to critical medical equipment. While evaluating living conditions, assessing medical needs, and coordinating with family members are all important tasks for a case manager, they do not specifically address the financial logistics and contractual relationships that are crucial for effective equipment arrangement in home care. Each of these tasks supports the overall care process, but identifying vendor contracts is a key factor in successfully implementing the needed interventions.