As a case manager at UPMC South Side hospital, Michele Notte’s job is to make sure the best interests of the patient, the hospital, and UPMC Health Plan are all being served on a daily basis. Ms. Notte serves as liaison among these three, seeing that patients get appropriate care, hospital procedures are followed, and Health Plan guidelines are met.

Ms. Notte’s responsibilities include tracking patients through the health care system, obtaining necessary authorizations for treatment, and coordinating patient care after discharge from the hospital.

“As complex as relationships among patient, hospital, and insurer can be,” Ms. Notte says, “the Health Plan shows a real understanding of patient needs, especially during transitions of care.

“If a patient needs acute rehab, you tell the Health Plan the name of the facility and, as long as it’s a participating facility, it’s a smooth transfer,” she explains. “I think that’s very important because patients can get scared at discharge time.”