The 75-year-old patient is preparing for discharge and tells the case manager, "I don't know what I am going to do when I get home. I cannot afford the medications the doctor has ordered for me

Question

" What is the case manager's most appropriate response?
a. "We can have a social worker see you when you get home."
b. "Medications are expensive, but you will need to take them."
c. "I can speak with your doctor about discontinuing some of the medications."
d. "The home health nurse will address this when she sees you."

Answer 1

A
Social workers counsel patients on financial, housing, marital, and family issues affecting healthcare. Owing to rising healthcare costs and diminished access to healthcare, particularly for aging populations, social workers are increasingly used to help move clients through the health system. Acknowledging the rising costs of medications does not assist the patient in solving the problem of his ability to pay for medications. The case manager cannot make any assumption that to alleviate the patient's concern for affording medications, it might be appropriate to have some medications discontinued. The home health nurse typically coordinates the care and services but is not typically the healthcare provider addressing financial concerns.