Monthly care management grew in 2021 – but with one surprise

Why This Topic Matters

Care management services continue to evolve, and changes in utilization can signal shifting provider adoption, payer scrutiny, and the impact of newer code families on older ones. Understanding these trend patterns helps organizations monitor service mix and anticipate operational or compliance implications.

Article Sections

1. Benchmark of the week

   Introduces the year-over-year Medicare utilization review for care management services and frames the main trend noted in 2021.

2. CMS expansion of care management codes

   Summarizes the broader growth of care management reporting options over time, including multiple service families and later updates to principal care management reporting.

3. 2021 Medicare utilization trends

   Discusses the observed changes in claims volume across the major care management categories and compares 2021 movement with earlier periods.

4. Notable decline in a longstanding CCM service

   Highlights the unexpected downward movement in one major chronic care management code and places that change in the context of newer services.