This program will review the current rules and regulations from the Conditions of Participation for discharge planning. We will then discuss the most recent changes to the Medicare program and how they will impact the roles of the RN case manager and the social worker. We will review strategies for safely transitioning your patients across the continuum of care. In addition, we will review how to engage other members of the interdisciplinary care team in the process of planning for the patient’s movement across the continuum including verbal and written hand-off communication. We will also discuss the positive impact that effective discharge planning processes can have on hospitals, post-acute providers, and patients.The proposed changes to the Conditions of Participation for Discharge Planning will likely have profound effects on how case management departments organize their work. It will also affect the workloads of RN case managers and social workers. Patients in ambulatory settings such as outpatient surgery, outpatient procedures, and emergency departments will all need to be assessed for the purpose of creating a discharge plan. Family caregivers and physicians will be expected to be much more involved than they have in the past. Case management departments will be expected to follow patients via phone calls as they transition out into the community.With the proposed changes to the CMS Conditions of Participation for discharge planning, it is important that RN case managers and social workers understand the differences between the current rules and the proposed rules regarding discharge planning. As a social worker or RN case manager, you should learn how to ensure that your processes address the complexities of the new healthcare environment regarding discharge planning and that your role as a case manager or social worker is designed and staffed to meet the changes aheadIn order to remain compliant, you need to understand how to evaluate your current discharge planning process and make any needed changes to remain compliant. There are many myths surrounding the Conditions of Participation for discharge planning. These myths will be discussed and corrected so that you can improve your daily practice.Learning ObjectivesUnderstand what the CMS Conditions of Participation are and how they guide the practice of the RN case manager and social workerReview the current Conditions of Participation Discharge Planning rulesLearn the CMS proposed rules for discharge planningBe able to identify any gaps in your discharge planning process related to the current versus the proposed rulesEnsure that you are current and compliant with the current rules for discharge planningUnderstand any misconceptions that are in the field related to discharge planning, especially related to the ‘choice list’Areas CoveredTransitional planning is a process, not a destinationThe current discharge planning requirements under the Conditions of Participation for discharge planningThe new CMS changes related to transitional and discharge planning and how they will impact your practiceHow to engage providers and patients across the continuum in the discharge planning processThe best ways to transition patients across the continuum of careHow to evaluate the effectiveness of your discharge planning programWays that you can ensure that your department is ready and able to meet the changes related to discharge planningWho Should AttendHospital Director of Case ManagementHospital Director of FinanceCase Managers Across the ContinuumSocial Workers Across the ContinuumVice President of Case ManagementDirectors of Patient-Centered Medical HomesHome Care Directors and ManagersHome Care Case ManagersCommunity-Based ProvidersDirectors of NursingDirectors of Ambulatory Programs