ACMA's Lasting Impact

ACMA Case Management Hero Award

As practicing professionals, we know there are unsung heroes among us. But while caring for patients in a heroic manner, some health care workers struggle with challenging circumstances in their personal lives. Sometimes even a hero needs help and support. The ACMA Case Management Hero Award was established to recognize case management professionals, who continually deliver exemplary service for our patients and families, but also face a major life challenge and could benefit from ACMA's support. Since the award’s inception, ACMA has financially supported recipients with medical, mortgage, utility, and childcare expenses, funded scholarships, and more.

ACMA Karen Vanaskie Scholarship Fund

The ACMA Karen Vanaskie Scholarship supports case management professionals who are seeking to obtain the Accredited Case Manager (ACM) credential.

Karen Vanaskie was one of case management's brightest and most dedicated professionals. She was serving as Secretary / Treasurer on the ACMA National Board of Directors at the time of her unexpected passing on June 21, 2024.

At the request of Karen's family, ACMA has set up the Karen Vanaskie Scholarship Fund. Karen was passionate about the need for case management certification. She actively supported her staff in pursuing the Accredited Case Manager (ACM) Certification. To continue her legacy, this scholarship fund will cover the cost of their ACM certification application fee for those to whom it is awarded. We believe this continues Karen's legacy.

Applicants must complete and submit a scholarship application form. Applications are reviewed by an ACMA committee, which selects and notifies winning candidates.

The scholarship covers the cost of ACM certification. Note that the scholarship may only be used for initial examinations. It may not be used for retest or recertification.

ACMA Legislative Advocacy

ACMA is the organization trusted to advocate on behalf of our members, case management professionals. Health care is an industry that must comply with a rapidly changing regulatory environment. ACMA is the voice of these professionals to US lawmakers.

ACMA’s current advocacy is focused on two efforts:

• Improving Access to Medicare Coverage Act
  
  The Improving Access to Medicare Coverage Act (H.R. 3954) would allow the time Medicare beneficiaries spend in a hospital under observation to count toward the three-day stay requirement for skilled nursing facility (SNF) coverage. This bipartisan bill is designed to ensure that patients who spend three midnights in a hospital—regardless of their admission status—can access the post-acute care they need. Although the legislation has long enjoyed bipartisan support, concerns about potential costs have delayed its passage. However, recent data from Medicare Accountable Care Organizations (ACOs) that waived the three-day requirement indicate that SNF use following non-qualifying hospital stays is extremely limited. Only 3–5% of ACO SNF stays were related to the waiver, and most of these admissions were directly from home. These findings suggest that the financial impact on Medicare would likely be minimal
  
• Value of Certification
  
  ACMA and the Commission for Case Manager Certification (CCMC) have issued a joint position statement affirming the critical role and value of professional certification in case management. “To uphold the highest standards of care, case managers should obtain certification upon meeting qualification requirements and receive appropriate compensation for their vital services. Recognizing the value of certification through its inclusion in reimbursement models is a necessary step toward strengthening care delivery, reducing costs, and improving outcomes.” This advocacy priority emphasizes how certification strengthens professional competency, elevates practice standards, and contributes to improved patient outcomes. 

For more information, visit our policy page here.here.