Case Management in Michigan | Counseling & Therapy

Case Management in Michigan helps you get the right care, at the right time, without feeling lost. If you or a loved one has many appointments, medications, or health needs, a case manager can help you make a clear plan. This service is for people dealing with medical, mental health, or recovery needs—especially when life feels overwhelming. Many patients tell us the hardest part is not the diagnosis, but keeping up with everything that comes next.

Signs You Might Benefit

Case management is a good fit when you need extra support to manage care across doctors, schools, work, and community services. It can also help if you feel stuck, confused, or tired of repeating your story.

• Many providers: You see more than one doctor or therapist and information does not always match.
• Recent hospital or ER visit: You need help with follow-up care, instructions, or discharge plans.
• Medication concerns: You have side effects, missed doses, or questions about how prescriptions work together.
• Chronic health problems: Conditions like diabetes, asthma, heart disease, or chronic pain make daily life harder.
• Mental health or substance use needs: You need therapy, psychiatry, groups, or recovery supports coordinated.
• Caregiver stress: A parent, partner, or adult child is doing “everything,” and it is too much.
• Housing, food, or transportation issues: Basic needs make it hard to follow a treatment plan.
• School or work problems: You need help with forms, accommodations, or return-to-work planning.

When care is organized well, people often notice real benefits: fewer missed appointments, clearer goals, better communication with providers, and less stress. Case management can also support safer care by helping you understand warning signs and when to call for help.

Evidence-Based Approach

Good case management is not just “making calls.” It uses proven methods: careful assessment, clear care plans, and ongoing tracking of outcomes. Research shows that coordinated care can improve access and support better health outcomes, especially for people with complex needs (Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality [AHRQ], 2018). The NIH also highlights that care coordination helps patients manage chronic conditions and navigate the healthcare system more safely (National Institutes of Health, 2020).

Core clinical modalities we use

• Biopsychosocial assessment: We look at medical, emotional, family, and community factors—not just one piece.
• Motivational Interviewing (MI): A supportive way to build confidence and help you choose realistic next steps.
• SMART care planning: Goals that are Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-based.
• Care coordination and warm handoffs: With your consent, we communicate with providers so you do not have to carry the whole load.
• Health literacy coaching: We explain terms in plain language so you can make informed choices.
• Risk and safety planning: For urgent needs (like suicidal thoughts, overdose risk, or unsafe living situations), we help you identify resources and steps to stay safe.

Clinical reasoning: how we decide what comes first

We start with safety and basic needs. If you do not have stable housing, food, or safe transportation, health goals are harder to reach. Next, we focus on the highest medical risks (like uncontrolled symptoms, medication problems, or missed follow-up care). Then we help you build routines and support systems that can last.

Michigan licensing standards and ethical care

In Michigan, case management may be provided by licensed or credentialed professionals, depending on the setting and patient needs. When services include clinical judgment, mental health coordination, or care planning tied to treatment, we follow Michigan licensing standards for scope of practice, confidentiality, documentation, and informed consent. We also follow HIPAA guidelines for privacy and only share information with your written permission (unless required by law for safety).

What to Expect

Case management should feel organized, kind, and doable. You will not be rushed. We help you break big problems into small steps.

Step 1: Intake (first visit or first call)

Your intake usually takes 45–60 minutes. We will ask about:

• Your current health concerns and diagnoses
• Recent hospitalizations, ER visits, or major changes
• Medications, side effects, and pharmacy needs
• Your care team (primary care, specialists, therapist, psychiatrist, etc.)
• Insurance, costs, transportation, and scheduling barriers
• Home, school, work, and caregiver responsibilities
• What has worked before and what has not

We will also ask what matters most to you right now. That helps us set goals you can actually reach.

Step 2: Care plan and priorities

Together, we create a clear plan that may include:

• A list of top goals for the next 2–4 weeks
• Appointments to schedule (and in what order)
• Questions to ask your doctors
• Medication and refill tracking
• Community supports (transportation, food programs, housing supports, support groups)

Step 3: Ongoing sessions and coordination

Follow-up sessions are often 30–45 minutes weekly or biweekly, based on need. Sessions may be in person or by telehealth/phone, depending on your location and the type of support needed. With your signed consent, we can coordinate with:

• Primary care and specialty providers
• Mental health therapists and psychiatry
• Hospitals and discharge planners
• Schools (for plans like 504/IEP supports, when appropriate)
• Employers or disability services (when you request it)
• Community agencies and benefits offices

Between visits: simple support that keeps you moving

Many patients need help between appointments. We may provide check-ins, reminders, help finding resources, and support with forms. You will always know the next step.

Insurance

Coverage for case management in Michigan depends on your plan and the setting of care. Some plans cover case management as part of behavioral health benefits, chronic care programs, or care coordination services. Others may apply coverage under outpatient mental health, medical management, or community-based programs.

Copays and deductibles

• Copay: A set amount you may pay per visit (for example, $20–$60), based on your plan.
• Deductible: The amount you may need to pay before benefits begin. If your deductible is not met, you may pay the full allowed rate.
• Coinsurance: A percentage you may pay after the deductible (for example, 10%–30%).

Mental health parity

If case management is billed under behavioral health, many plans must follow mental health parity rules. This means mental health benefits should not be more restrictive than medical benefits in key ways, like visit limits and cost-sharing, when parity laws apply (U.S. Department of Labor, 2024). We can help you ask the right questions when you call your insurance company.

What we can do to help

• Verify benefits when possible
• Explain common insurance terms in plain language
• Provide documentation you may need for authorization or continuation of care
• Discuss self-pay options if coverage is limited

FAQ

Is case management the same as therapy?

No. Therapy focuses on emotions, thoughts, and behavior change. Case management focuses on organizing care, removing barriers, and helping you follow a plan. Some patients use both, and they work well together.

Will you talk to my doctors or my child’s school?

Only if you want us to. We will ask you to sign a release so we can share and receive information. Without your written consent, we protect your privacy, except in rare cases where the law requires action for safety.

How long does case management last?

It depends on your needs and goals. Some people use it for a few weeks after a hospital stay. Others benefit for several months when care is complex. We review progress often and step down support when things feel stable.

What if I feel overwhelmed and don’t even know where to start?

That is one of the most common reasons people reach out. We start small: one priority, one phone call, one appointment. You do not have to solve everything at once. We help you build a path forward that fits your life.

References

• Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality. (2018). Care coordination. https://www.ahrq.gov/
• National Institutes of Health. (2020). Chronic disease and care coordination resources. https://www.nih.gov/
• U.S. Department of Labor. (2024). Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act (MHPAEA). https://www.dol.gov/