As the weather cools and the days grow shorter, the risks faced by aging and vulnerable members often rise. From slippery leaves and uneven sidewalks to medication changes and isolation, fall brings new challenges that can compromise safety and independence, especially for those living alone or managing chronic conditions. 

For case managers, this is the perfect time to pause, reassess, and strengthen support strategies to keep members safe and engaged through the months ahead. With thoughtful preparation and the right tools, you can help prevent avoidable hospitalizations and empower members to maintain their well-being year-round. 

Why Fall Can Be a Risky Season for Members 

While the autumn season can be refreshing, it’s also associated with increased health and safety risks among older adults. 

• Falls remain the leading cause of injury-related ER visits and deaths among adults aged 65 and older, according to the CDC. Every year, one in four older adults experiences a fall — and many never report it. 
• Medication changes are also common this time of year, as physicians adjust prescriptions ahead of winter. In fact, the National Institute on Aging notes that 40–50% of older adults take five or more medications daily, which increases the risk of interactions, side effects, and confusion. 
• As temperatures drop, social isolation tends to rise. Members may stay indoors more often, which can lead to loneliness, depression, and delayed care when health issues arise.

By anticipating these seasonal risks, case managers can take simple but meaningful steps to prevent incidents and improve outcomes.

1. Conduct Seasonal Safety Assessments

Fall is an ideal time to revisit home safety checklists. Encourage members to inspect common areas for trip hazards  such as throw rugs, cords, clutter, or poor lighting. If your organization offers in-home assessments, this is a good time to schedule them. 

You might also recommend: 

• Checking that smoke detectors and carbon monoxide alarms have fresh batteries. 
• Ensuring members have secure footwear and mobility aids in good condition. 
• Making sure exterior walkways are well-lit and clear of debris or wet leaves.

Proactive prevention goes a long way: the CDC estimates that preventing even a single fall-related injury can save more than $30,000 in medical costs.  

2. Review Medications and Care Plans

Medication management is one of the most common challenges for members — and one of the easiest ways to prevent hospital readmissions. Fall offers a natural reminder to review prescriptions, especially as new flu and respiratory medications are introduced. 

Encourage members to: 

• Keep an updated medication list and bring it to all appointments. 
• Use pill organizers or pharmacy-prepared blister packs. 
• Ask pharmacists about potential interactions with over-the-counter cold or allergy medications

For members with cognitive decline or complex care needs, scheduling a fall check-in to review medications can prevent confusion and reduce risk.

3. Promote Engagement and Connection

Social isolation doesn’t just affect mood,  it impacts physical health, too. The U.S. Surgeon General recently declared loneliness a public health epidemic, with effects comparable to smoking 15 cigarettes a day. 

Case managers play a vital role in helping members feel seen, heard, and supported. This fall, take time to: 

• Check in with members who haven’t been active in recent months. 
• Encourage participation in local wellness programs or virtual activities. 
• Make sure members know who to contact in case of an emergency.

Even small gestures — like a five-minute phone call or reminder to test their emergency device — can make a big difference in how connected and confident a member feels.  

4. Leverage Technology for Safety and Peace of Mind

As caseloads grow and members become more dispersed, technology can be a critical extension of a case manager’s reach. Personal Emergency Response Systems (PERS) from MedScope provide around-the-clock protection for members, ensuring that help is always just a button press away. 

Modern PERS devices are lightweight, waterproof, and designed for independence — connecting users directly to trained responders 24/7. Whether at home or on the go, members can feel secure knowing help is always available.

5. Stay Proactive to Stay Ahead

The best way to protect members this season is to stay one step ahead. Start by identifying those most at risk — such as individuals with mobility challenges, chronic conditions, or limited social support. Then, create a simple fall-prevention plan that includes regular check-ins, medication reviews, and safety assessments. 

By combining your clinical expertise with supportive tools like PERS, you can help members stay safe, connected, and independent — even when you can’t be there in person. 

Supporting Case Managers Every Step of the Way 

At MedScope, we know that case managers are the cornerstone of effective care. You balance complex caseloads, navigate countless systems, and advocate for every member’s well-being. Our mission is to make that work easier — providing reliable technology and responsive support so you can focus on what matters most: helping people live safely at home. 

Contact MedScope to learn more about how our Personal Emergency Response Systems can support your care management team and keep your members safe this fall. 

Rural Health Day is September 25, a perfect time to talk about the real challenges case managers see every day when supporting members who live far from big hospitals or specialty clinics. Rural communities represent almost one in five Americans, yet many residents face long drives for care, limited provider availability, and higher rates of chronic conditions. 

You know the story well: clients who skip appointments because transportation fell through, older adults juggling multiple medications with no pharmacy nearby, or families who can’t get reliable broadband for virtual visits. 

The Reality on the Ground 

• Access: Some members travel hours for specialists—or delay care entirely. 
• Workforce: Recruiting and keeping providers is tough, making follow-up harder. 
• Technology: Spotty internet and outdated systems limit telehealth use. 
• Finances: Many rural facilities operate on slim budgets, so every dollar matters. 

These barriers add up to higher rates of chronic disease and hospitalizations, and they put extra pressure on care managers trying to coordinate services. 

A Major Investment in Rural Care 

There’s reason to be optimistic. CMS recently launched the $50 billion Rural Health Transformation Program, a five-year initiative to strengthen rural healthcare. 

States can apply for funds to support evidence-based prevention programs, chronic-disease management, technology upgrades, and workforce recruitment. Half the funding will be divided equally among states that qualify; the rest will go to states with the greatest needs, like larger rural populations or struggling hospitals. The deadline for state applications is November 5, 2025, and the dollars start flowing in 2026. You can learn more about this program here.  

For case managers, this program could mean new resources—more mobile clinics, expanded telehealth, and better tools to keep members safe at home. 

Steps You Can Take Now 

While state agencies prepare their proposals, care teams and case managers can help shape what comes next: 

• Share your insight. Your day-to-day experience gives you a clear view of what members need most. Connect with your state’s Office of Rural Health or local health departments to ensure those needs are heard. 
• Collect stories and data. Examples of delayed care, transportation barriers, or preventable hospitalizations can support funding requests. 
• Identify gaps in safety and monitoring. Highlight where members are at risk because they live alone, have chronic conditions, or lack quick access to emergency services. 

How MedScope PERS Supports Rural Members 

Technology that keeps people connected to help—without depending on strong broadband—can make an immediate difference. MedScope’s Personal Emergency Response Systems (PERS) are built for exactly this situation. 

With the press of a button, members can connect 24/7 to a trained operator who can dispatch emergency services or call a designated contact. For people in remote areas, that kind of direct link can be life-saving when minutes matter and neighbors may be miles away. 

As a case manager, recommending PERS for high-risk members can: 

• Reduce avoidable ER visits by providing help quickly during falls or sudden health changes. 
• Offer peace of mind for members and families who know someone is always available. 
• Support care-plan goals tied to safety and independence—especially important when your state’s Rural Health Transformation funds aim to keep more people healthy at home. 

Because MedScope PERS units use reliable cellular networks, they don’t rely on home internet service—an important advantage in rural communities where broadband may be limited. 

Make Rural Health Day a Call to Action 

As September 25 Rural Health Day approaches, it’s a great moment to talk with your members and your team about safety planning. Consider: 

• Identifying clients who live alone or have mobility challenges. 
• Discussing how a PERS device fits into their care plan. 
• Sharing feedback with your agency or state leaders about how emergency response technology can help meet the goals of the new federal program. 

Ready to help your rural members stay safe at home?

Learn more about how MedScope PERS can support your care plans and give your clients the immediate help they need—no matter how far they are from the nearest hospital.

Health plans are under increasing pressure to close care gaps, improve member experience, and lift quality metrics like HEDIS and CAHPS—all while navigating tight resources and engaging populations that are often difficult to reach. MGEngage360, MedScope’s built-in member engagement platform, offers a new approach: leveraging the personal emergency response systems (PERS) that members already use and trust. 

Instead of relying on apps, portals, or unfamiliar technology, MGEngage360 uses the PERS device to deliver AI-powered calls, personalized recordings, or live check-ins from our wellness team, making it easier to connect with high-risk, high-need members in a way that feels familiar and non-intrusive. 

Built for Medicaid, Dual Eligibles, and HCBS 

MGEngage360 is especially effective for complex, high-need populations—including Medicaid, D-SNP, and those receiving Home and Community-Based Services (HCBS). Our PERS devices, engagement tools, and reimbursement models were purpose-built to serve managed care organizations (MCOs) working with vulnerable populations that are often hardest to reach. 

Results with MGEngage360 (included with PERS at no cost): 

• 95% Member Satisfaction Rate 
• 70% Engagement Rate 
• 16% Increase in Fall Risk Assessments and Prevention Education 

We pair this with a highly cost-effective tech + touch approach that supports care management teams, surrounds members with the right level of engagement, and strengthens delivery systems. With MGEngage360, we turn daily safety into daily strategy for MCOs. 

Smarter Outreach That Delivers Results 

MGEngage360 is already deployed across thousands of members nationwide and is seamlessly included with MedScope PERS—meaning no added cost, setup, or IT lift for your organization. 

Here’s what plans using MGEngage360 are seeing: 

• 3–4x Higher Response Rates
  Outreach through the PERS device sees 3 to 4 times higher response rates compared to traditional channels. 
• 50%+ Care-Gap Closure Rates
  Health plans are closing more than 50% of preventive care gaps like screenings, follow-ups, and vaccinations. 
• Boosted HEDIS, CAHPS & Star Ratings
  Through pre-CAHPS surveys, medication reminders, and wellness prompts, plans improve satisfaction scores and quality metrics. 
• Customizable Engagement
  MGEngage360 campaigns can be tailored by line of business—including D-SNP, MLTSS, and PACE—to meet specific needs of your member populations. 

Future-Proofing Your Value-Based Care Strategy 

MGEngage360 is just one part of a broader ecosystem designed to improve outcomes and deliver meaningful cost savings. MedScope offers the only cohesive solution that integrates PERS, Remote Patient Monitoring (RPM), and Chronic Care Management (CCM) into a unified strategy that supports your value-based care goals. 

Results from bundling PERS, RPM, and CCM with MGEngage360: 

• 5% to 10% Reduction in Total Cost of Care 
• 50% Attributable Reduction in 30-Day Hospital Readmissions 
• 10% Increase in Preventive Care Screening Quality Measure Performance 

Whether your priority is closing care gaps, increasing engagement, or reducing avoidable utilization, MedScope helps move the needle—with data-driven insights and proven outcomes. 

Engagement Built In. No Integration Required. 

MGEngage360 is already embedded in every MedScope PERS device. That means smarter outreach is available from day one—no integration, no additional cost, no training required. 

Just better results, built in. 

Learn More About MGEngage360

Discover how MedScope can help you engage members, improve quality, and reduce costs—all through the tools members already trust. Visit www.medscope.org today!

Best Practices for Case Managers to Ensure HIPAA Compliance and Foster Trust 

In Medicaid programs, safeguarding patient privacy is more than a legal obligation—it’s a moral imperative. Case managers play a vital role in coordinating care for vulnerable populations, many of whom face barriers like chronic illness, housing insecurity, behavioral health challenges, or distrust in the healthcare system. When handling sensitive information, even small missteps can compromise a patient’s trust, and their willingness to engage in care. 

The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) sets clear expectations for how protected health information (PHI) should be collected, stored, and shared. But for case managers, the goal isn’t just compliance—it’s compassion. Applying HIPAA guidelines with empathy and intention builds stronger, more trusting relationships with the people you serve. 

Here are key ethical and practical considerations to help Medicaid case managers uphold HIPAA protections while delivering person-centered care.

1. Practice the “Minimum Necessary” Standard

HIPAA requires that healthcare professionals only access or share the minimum amount of PHI necessary to complete a task. This standard helps reduce the risk of accidental disclosures and reinforces ethical data use. 

Internal risks are still a critical threat, over 90% of healthcare organizations experienced multiple data loss incidents in the past two years—mostly caused by employee mistakes. Half reported impacts on patient care, including delays, poor outcomes, and even increased mortality.

How to apply this in daily work: 

• • Share only what’s relevant when coordinating with providers or vendors
  • Customize requests instead of pulling full medical histories
  • Be mindful when documenting social or behavioral health factors—include only what is essential for care planning 

This practice not only protects privacy but also demonstrates respect for a patient’s dignity.

2. Use Secure Communication Methods

Fast-paced environments and heavy caseloads can make it tempting to take communication shortcuts. But texting PHI or emailing from a personal account puts data—and your organization—at risk. 

Best practices include: 

• • Use encrypted email or secure messaging platforms
  • Double-check email recipients before sending sensitive information
  • Avoid discussing PHI over speakerphone in public or shared spaces
  • Never store or share PHI on unauthorized cloud services or devices 

When in doubt, consult your compliance or IT team to ensure you’re using the correct tools. 

Internal risks demand secure tech, 53% of all Protected Health Information (PHI) breaches are caused by internal staff—not hackers. Choosing a HIPAA-compliant communication platform isn’t optional; it’s essential for preventing accidental data exposure and maintaining trust.

3. Safeguard PHI in the Field

Many case managers work in community settings, visiting homes, shelters, or meeting clients in public spaces. This flexibility is important—but it requires extra attention to data protection. 

Tips for working securely on the go: 

• • Enable automatic screen locks and strong passwords on mobile devices
  • Use two-factor authentication when logging into systems
  • Avoid storing PHI on personal devices
  • If paper records are necessary, keep them in a locked bag and shred as soon as possible after use
  • Log out of systems completely when not in use 

Even brief lapses in device security can lead to unintentional exposure.

4. Normalize Privacy as Part of Organizational Culture

Compliance shouldn’t be something that happens behind the scenes. When data privacy is discussed openly and regularly, it becomes part of how teams think and work. 

Encourage a culture of privacy by: 

• • Bringing up HIPAA scenarios in team meetings
  • Encouraging staff to ask questions or raise concerns without fear
  • Acknowledging and rewarding attention to data protection
  • Making sure new hires receive clear, practical HIPAA training 

Supervisors should model best practices consistently and support team members in upholding privacy standards in real-world situations.

5. Engage Patients with Transparency

Many Medicaid recipients are wary of institutions—often with good reason. Taking the time to explain how their information is used can go a long way toward easing concerns and building trust. 

Consider these simple strategies: 

• • Explain what information is being collected and why
  • Reassure patients that only individuals directly involved in their care will access their records
  • Answer privacy questions with honesty and empathy
  • Share how their information is protected, and what their rights are under HIPAA 

When patients feel in control of their information, they’re more likely to engage and follow through on care plans.

6. Partner with HIPAA-Compliant Vendors

Whether ordering a personal emergency response system (PERS), arranging transportation, or connecting patients with social services, case managers often need to share PHI with external partners. It’s essential to confirm those partners follow HIPAA standards. 

At MedScope, we make it easy for case managers to submit referrals securely through: 

• • Encrypted online portals
  • Dedicated fax and phone referral lines
  • HIPAA-compliant email submissions using organizational platforms 

We’ve built our systems with Medicaid workflows in mind so that case managers can focus on care, not compliance paperwork. 

Partnering with the right tech matters. Covered health care providers and health plans must use technology vendors that comply with the HIPAA Rules and will enter into HIPAA business associate agreements.

7. Report and Respond to Incidents Quickly

Even with the best systems in place, mistakes can occur. A laptop might get lost, a fax might go to the wrong number, or an email could be misaddressed. 

The most important thing you can do in those moments is act quickly: 

• • Report potential breaches immediately
  • Follow your organization’s incident response procedures
  • Learn from each situation and share lessons with your team 

Prompt, transparent responses protect patients—and demonstrate your commitment to doing the right thing. 

Final Thoughts: Privacy as a Foundation of Trust 

HIPAA is more than a rulebook—it’s a reflection of what it means to treat patients with dignity and respect. For Medicaid programs and the case managers who power them, protecting patient data is foundational to delivering ethical, equitable care. 

By committing to secure communication, intentional information sharing, and transparent engagement, you help ensure that every member feels seen, respected, and safe. 

Want to learn more about MedScope’s HIPAA-compliant solutions? Contact us today!