Case Management

Nurse-led support balancing compassionate care with responsible cost management

Personalized Case Management for Complex Care Needs

Innovative Care Management’s Case Management program provides personalized, nurse-led support for members with complex, high-risk, or resource-intensive healthcare needs. Case management helps ensure care is coordinated, appropriate, and aligned with the member’s clinical goals—while supporting plans in managing and mitigating avoidable utilization and cost.

By addressing both clinical and non-clinical barriers to care, case management improves continuity, reduces preventable complications, and supports better long-term outcomes for members and plans alike.

How We Do It

Clinically focused, integrated, and member-centered.

ICM’s case management is led by experienced registered nurses who apply clinical expertise, education, and care coordination across the continuum. Nurses work directly with members, providers, and caregivers to support informed decision-making and adherence to care plans.

Key elements of our approach include:

Nurse-led assessment and care planning for complex or high-risk cases

Guides complex cases with personalized, expert care plans

Member education to support understanding, engagement, and self- management

Empowers members to take control of their health journey

Integration with utilization management, clinical navigation and transitions of care

Ensures seamless support across the full care continuum

Coordination across providers, settings and services

Keeps care aligned across providers, settings, and services

Identification of barriers to care, including social and psychosocial factors

Addresses non-clinical barriers that impact outcomes

Timeline and thorough updates to the Plan on potential high costs

Flags rising costs early to support proactive plan decisions

Nurse-led assessment and care planning for complex or high-risk cases

Coordination across providers, settings, and services

Member education to support understanding, engagement, and self-management

Identification of barriers to care, including social and psychosocial factors

Integration with utilization management, clinical navigation, and transitions of care

Timely and thorough updates to the Plan on potential high costs

By caring for members through clinically guided coordination, ICM’s case management program delivers better outcomes and measurable value for plans.

Why Is Case Management Important?

Imagine a member is diagnosed with a life-threatening form of cancer and recommended a course of care that includes chemotherapy and high-cost medications. In addition to clinical complexity, the case presents significant financial exposure for the plan, with multiple treatment options, coverage considerations, and potential variation in cost and outcomes.

ICM’s Case Management services provide critical and compassionate guidance. It’s not just about cost control. It’s about making healthcare more human.

At the same time, cost control is important. The majority of plan costs are typically driven by a small number of members. For example, the AARP says the average cost of cancer treatments runs around $150,000, and the out-of-pocket share can add to a cancer patient’s stress and health problems. An organ transplant is even more expensive, running around $446,800 in billed charges for a kidney transplant and around $1,918,700 in billed charges for a heart transplant, according to Milliman.

As medical advances lead to better treatments and outcomes, costs can surge. According to the American Association for Cancer Research, the cost of cancer care is expected to increase by more than 30% by 2030, reaching $245 billion.

How Much Can One Medication Cost?

Keytruda (pembrolizumab) is an established immunotherapy medication used to treat certain types of cancers. It is administered by infusion.

When given every three weeks, the list price per dose exceeds $12,000 as of September 2025.*

For a participant who remains on therapy for two years, total drug costs can exceed $408,000.

*Source: Keytruda

Case Management Case Studies

Case Study1

Supporting Recovery Through Complex Care Transitions

A young man sustained significant injuries following a motorcycle accident and required hospitalization, inpatient rehabilitation, and ongoing recovery at home. An ICM case management nurse was engaged early on during his hospital stay and followed the member’s care across each setting, supporting coordinated discharge planning at each transition.  Prior to going home, the case management nurse worked closely with facility staff, providers, the member, and his caregiver to ensure appropriate durable medical equipment (DME) was in place and that post-acute services were aligned with clinical needs. Through ongoing education, caregiver support, and advocacy, the nurse helped the member understand what to expect at each transition and how to recognize potential complications. As a result, the member avoided hospital readmission and was able to continue healing safely at home with appropriate support in place.

Case Study2

Supporting Access to Specialized Cancer Care

A member was recently diagnosed with a rare form of breast cancer and faced uncertainty about treatment options and where to seek specialized care.

An ICM case management nurse worked closely with the member to understand the diagnosis and identify facilities with expertise and emerging research specific to this cancer type. The nurse helped the member engage with a leading treatment center offering a newer therapy that had demonstrated improved outcomes for this rare diagnosis. Throughout the process, the nurse supported coordination of care and helped the member navigate next steps.

As a result, the member was able to access specialized care aligned with the latest clinical advancements without adding greater costs to the plan, supporting an informed treatment decision, better outcomes and a more confident care journey.

Additional Services to Consider

ICM’s Case Management Services are just one way that ICM supports member well-being while controlling costs. Additional services include:

Utilization Management

Prior authorization processes protect members from unexpected costs while ensuring that care is safe, effective and medically necessary.

Chronic Condition Management

This program helps members navigate and coordinate care for chronic conditions.

Healthy Mother Baby Management

This maternity management program gives expecting mothers the education and support needed to promote healthy pregnancies and deliveries.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will members work with a single, dedicated case manager?

Yes. ICM pairs each member enrolled in the program with a dedicated Registered Nurse case manager. This arrangement supports continuity of care and fosters trust between the member and the nurse. This also allows for the formation of the strong, supportive relationships that members need when facing complex medical conditions.

Members can expect personalized, one on one support from a registered nurse to help coordinate care, understand treatment plans, and navigate complex healthcare needs. ICM case management nurses work with members, providers, and caregivers to address barriers to care, support safe transitions, and promote better health outcomes, so members feel supported and informed throughout their care journey.
ICM’s case managers advocate for members while helping plans reduce avoidable costs. Through early intervention, care coordination, and education, our nurses help prevent complications, readmissions, and unnecessary utilization—supporting better outcomes for members and responsible use of plan resources.