CCM - Certified Case Manager Ethical Principles and Conduct Questions and Answers 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: A case manager realizes following employer policy would deny a medically necessary service. What ethical principle is in conflict?
- Autonomy vs. justice
- Fidelity to client vs. fidelity to employer (Correct answer)
- Beneficence vs. veracity
- Non-maleficence vs. autonomy
Correct answer: Fidelity to client vs. fidelity to employer
This is a conflict between fidelity to the client's best interests and fidelity to the employer's policies.
The CCMC Code states the primary obligation is to the client, balanced with organizational responsibilities. Case managers should work within the system to advocate through internal appeals, peer-to-peer reviews, and exception requests.
Question 2: What is 'distributive justice' in case management?
- Ensuring providers are paid equally
- Fair allocation of limited healthcare resources among competing needs (Correct answer)
- Distributing workload evenly
- Providing the same treatment to every client
Correct answer: Fair allocation of limited healthcare resources among competing needs
Distributive justice concerns fair allocation of limited resources among competing needs.
Theories include utilitarian (greatest good for greatest number), egalitarian (equal distribution), and needs-based (allocation based on severity). Case managers must balance individual advocacy with broader resource stewardship.
Question 3: Under the CCMC Code, what must a case manager do if they lack competency in a required area?
- Proceed while learning on the job
- Refer to a qualified professional or seek supervision and training (Correct answer)
- Decline without offering alternatives
- Ask the client to find their own specialist
Correct answer: Refer to a qualified professional or seek supervision and training
The case manager must refer to a qualified professional or obtain appropriate supervision and training.
The key is ensuring client needs are met even if the case manager cannot personally meet them. This may involve referral, consultation, or obtaining additional training under supervision.
Question 4: What ethical obligation exists when a colleague provides substandard care?
- Ignore it
- Report through appropriate channels to protect client safety (Correct answer)
- Confront publicly
- Wait for self-resolution
Correct answer: Report through appropriate channels to protect client safety
Case managers must report substandard care through appropriate channels to protect clients.
The CCMC Code includes provisions for addressing unethical or incompetent practice. Reporting should be factual, documented, and follow established protocols. Ignoring substandard care makes the observer complicit.
Question 5: A grateful client offers a gift. What is the appropriate response?
- Accept graciously to maintain the relationship
- Politely decline and explain professional boundaries (Correct answer)
- Accept but donate to charity
- Accept and report to supervisor
Correct answer: Politely decline and explain professional boundaries
Ethical guidelines generally require declining gifts to maintain professional boundaries.
Accepting gifts can create obligation, alter professional dynamics, and blur boundaries. The case manager should thank the client, explain the policy without causing rejection, and redirect the sentiment.
Question 6: What is 'informed consent' in case management?
- Getting the client's signature on paperwork
- Ensuring the client has sufficient information to voluntarily and competently agree to or refuse services (Correct answer)
- Having the physician sign the care plan
- Reading the client their rights
Correct answer: Ensuring the client has sufficient information to voluntarily and competently agree to or refuse services
Informed consent means ensuring clients have adequate information for voluntary, competent decision-making.
Three elements: disclosure of sufficient information, voluntary agreement without coercion, and client capacity to understand. This applies to medical treatments, case management participation, and information sharing.
CCM - Certified Case Manager Ethical Principles and Conduct Questions and Answers 2
A case manager realizes following employer policy would deny a medically necessary service.
What ethical principle is in conflict?