Who We Are

Founded in 1990, the Case Management Society of America (CMSA) has grown to be the leading non-profit association dedicated to the support and development of the profession of case management. It is based in Little Rock, AR, and serves more than 11,000 members, 20,000 subscribers, and 75 chapters through educational forums, networking opportunities, legislative advocacy and establishing standards to advance the profession.

Its leadership programs, educational forums, and breadth of tools and resources enable case management professionals to ensure more positive outcomes for individual patients’ healthcare needs. Case management professionals help patients get healthier, faster; and help curtail the exorbitant costs that too often afflict the nation’s health care system. To further the professional knowledge and career opportunities of its members, CMSA also offers a number of education programs.

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What is a Case Manager?

Definition of Case Management

Case management is a collaborative process of assessment, planning, facilitation and advocacy for options and services to meet an individual's health needs through communication and available resources to promote quality cost-effective outcomes.

Philosophy of Case Management

The underlying premise of case management is based in the fact that when an individual reaches the optimum level of wellness and functional capability, everyone benefits: the individuals being served, their support systems, the health care delivery systems and the various reimbursement sources.

Case management serves as a means for achieving client wellness and autonomy through advocacy, communication, education, identification of service resources and service facilitation. The case manager helps identify appropriate providers and facilities throughout the continuum of services, while ensuring that available resources are being used in a timely and cost-effective manner in order to obtain optimum value for both the client and the reimbursement source. Case management services are best offered in a climate that allows direct communication between the case manager, the client, and appropriate service personnel, in order to optimize the outcome for all concerned.

Certification determines that the case manager possesses the education, skills and experience required to render appropriate services based on sound principles of practice.

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Our History

The Case Management Society of America is an international, non-profit organization founded in 1990 dedicated to the support and development of the profession of case management through educational forums, networking opportunities and legislative involvement. Unique in its composition as an international organization, over 70 affiliated and prospective chapters in a tiered democratic structure, CMSA’s success and strength is its structure as a member-driven society.

CMSA’s emergence as a prominent national organization is in large part due to its unique and involved membership. Innovation is used to continually mentor new leaders for national positions. CMSA has developed a leadership ladder, whereby local leaders progress in their scope of responsibility through appointed national committee positions or elected director/officer positions. To enhance this process, the society provides ongoing leadership training seminars geared for the local leaders.

In nationally recognized innovation, CMSA developed the nationally recognized Standards of Practice for Case Management. This publication was officially released in early 1995, and is a forerunner in establishing formal, written standards of practice from a variety of disciplines. During that same year, the National Board approved a peer-reviewed Ethics Statement on Case Management Practice, a base foundation from which to apply ethical principles to the practice of case management. The Standards of Practice and Ethics Statement are both available from CMSA National.

In response to payer and purchaser expectations for demonstrating value in the marketplace, CMSA created the Council for Case Management Accountability. This new division of CMSA will establish evidence-based standards of practice and help its members achieve those standards through the measurement, evaluation and reporting of outcomes.

Education, research, and networking continue to be top priorities sought by CMSA’s members. Proactive measures from grassroots lobbying to national briefings have been at the forefront of CMSA legislative activity. Government Affairs committees are currently active in most of the local and state chapters across the country.

Through the support of a certification program, CMSA continues to enhance the level of case manager professionalism - furthering the development of a new, higher level of industry expertise. For more information, please contact the Commission for Case Manager Certification at (856) 380-6836. CCMC is a separate entity and is independent from CMSA.

Ultimately, the quality and productivity of CMSA’s services rely upon the commitment of its membership. Because case managers are effective communicators, problem solvers, and visionaries, CMSA offers an opportunity for members to utilize their skill sets and maximize their talents. The enormous success of the organization lies in one simple concept - professional leadership.

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CMSA Mission and Vision

CMSA Strategic Vision

"Case managers are recognized experts and vital participants in the care coordination team who empower people to understand and access quality, efficient health care."

CMSA Strategic Mission

The Case Management Society of America is the leading membership association providing professional collaboration across the health care continuum to advocate for patients’ wellbeing and improved health outcomes through:

• Fostering Case Management growth and development
• Impacting health care policy and
• Providing evidence-based tools and resources