Ageless - AUTUMN 2022

Is case management
available for you?
Medicare Advantage
PFFS
Most of our members have case management
available if needed. There is a good chance
you qualify if you have:
Medicare
HMO
Medicare
PPO
For Case Management programs and information, call 800-285-6682.
A Passionate Advocate
“She needed an advocate and
guidance,” said Ashley Stormes,
an Arkansas Blue Cross and
Blue Shield social worker, about
a recent member case that
came to her attention. Sheila’s
needs were brought to Stormes
by Ann Furlow, a Registered
Nurse case manager for Blue
Cross and Blue Shield.
“This patient came to my
attention after calling customer
service needing resources,”
said Furlow. “Sheila had been
case-managed in the past by
one of my co-workers, so she
was aware of the assistance
the case management program
could provide.”
Sheila had been recently
diagnosed with stage three
rectal cancer and needed to
receive six weeks of daily
chemotherapy and radiation
treatments at the University of
Arkansas Medical Sciences’
Winthrop P. Rockefeller Cancer
Institute. The problem? Living
two hours away from UAMS,
Sheila could not drive or get
transportation to Little
Rock. She also dealt
with multiple mental
health issues that made
making the necessary
arrangements for the
needed care impossible.
This is where Arkansas
Blue Cross stepped in.
Stormes set on an
extensive search for a
place for the member to stay
while going back and forth from
UAMS for cancer treatments.
One of the hurdles Stormes
had to clear was keeping the
temporary housing affordable.
“After many calls and what
felt like daily changes, I found
an apartment complex called
The Goodness Village of
Little Rock,” said Stormes.
“They offer very clean and
assessable apartments for
people and families going
through medical struggles.
It’s located close to UAMS.
The cost is very, very minimal
compared to other options.
As a case manager, we
can impact change and
hopefully improve the
outcome of the member’s
healthcare experience.
– Ashley Stormes
Arkansas Blue Cross and Blue Shield social worker
And, in this case, the rate was
able to be covered by UAMS.”
The story has a happy ending.
Sheila got her chemotherapy
and radiation treatments and,
according to Stormes,
is currently “stable.”
“The most satisfying thing
about being a case manager
is meeting so many different
members and their care
teams,” said Furlow. “I love
that as a case manager,
along with my team of social
workers, we can impact change
and hopefully improve the
outcome of the member’s
healthcare experience.”
Ageless AUTUMN 2022 5