Care management for children with special needs: part I: the role of health plans.

This study documents screening methods and services provided by health plan case managers for high need children in a Washington State health plan. Enrollees were screened to identify 315 children who had or were at risk of developing a chronic condition and were high users of health services. From this group, 46 children/families could be contacted and needed case management. Services included assessment of physical/social needs, patient education, referral to community resources, and benefit utilization. These services were different from care coordination provided in primary care practices.