MSC Care Management, the industry's leading provider of medical products and services to post-discharge and post-injury workers' compensation claimants nationwide, announced today that it has acquired Total Medical Solutions (TMS), a national company specializing in large-loss claims. The acquisition of TMS brings with it more than 17 years of experience working with complex and catastrophic cases and further fortifies MSC's position as the leading provider of clinically based, specialized ancillary solutions in the workers' compensation market.
Comprised of industry professionals, TMS has distinguished itself by addressing all aspects of complex claims, from clinically managed homecare to home and vehicle modifications and assistive technologies. TMS' Complex Care Unit (CCU) team immerses itself in each catastrophic case, assessing the claimant and researching rehabilitation treatment and technology options. The CCU gathers and synthesizes data into a comprehensive, multi-media report with detailed assessments and specific recommendations for home health care products and services.
"We have devoted ourselves to finding best-in-class solutions within our core area of expertise," said Joe Delaney, MSC's President and CEO. "Our guiding principle has been to combine clinical expertise with the most highly skilled network of locally based providers committed to delivering the best service possible. Our acquisition of TMS is evidence of our continued commitment to that strategy, as it further strengthens our in-house expertise surrounding the development and delivery of our catastrophic care program. TMS's professionals support our mission in every aspect of our business and culture," Delaney said.
The highly successful TMS model provides a hands-on approach, which includes sending team members to work with claimants and their providers in rehabilitation centers or hospitals and visiting the claimant's home to evaluate the physical and psycho-social environment. "Often we find that equipment prescribed at the rehab center doesn't fit in the home, or that a ceiling lift could eliminate the need for a costly bathroom modification. Home visits also help determine the level of support the claimant will likely receive from family members. We are establishing relationships with everyone involved in the claim and we're getting the right home modifications, equipment and services in place from the beginning, which ultimately contains costs," said Cara Barde, Vice Chairman of the Board for TMS.
TMS' Complex Care Unit standardizes the best practices developed over the years into a unique approach to caring for seriously-injured employees. This targeted approach will now be combined with MSC's extensive team of more than 40 clinically trained Care Coordinators and RN's, one of whom is assigned to each and every case. MSC's clinical team provides peer-to-peer clinical support and streamlines the coordination of efforts between the claims team, field nurse case management staff and MSC on high-exposure catastrophic claims. "MSC's clinical resources will help TMS deliver on its mission to provide the highest level of care so the claimant can achieve and sustain the greatest level of independence for as long as possible, while maximizing cost containment," said Cara Barde.
"As severity levels rise and medical costs continue to climb, we remain committed to providing superior resources and capabilities for our clients," said Joe Delaney. "Our merger with Total Medical Solutions represents the coming together of two highly respected firms, which together represent a powerful solution in the management of large-loss claims. Together, we will continue to provide the highest quality of service to our clients with an increased ability to draw upon the expertise and resources for which MSC and TMS are well known."
About MSC
Headquartered in Jacksonville, Fla., MSC is a care management company focused on coordinating care for its customers' post-discharge and post-injury workers' compensation claimants. MSC's customers include the nation's leading workers' compensation insurers, third-party administrators and self-insured employers. MSC offers customers four highly focused product and service areas, each with distinct expertise but available via a single point of contact. These are: Catastrophic & Home Health Services, Equipment & Device Management, Surgical Implantable Devices, and Transportation & Translation. For more information, visit www.YourMSC.com.
About Total Medical Solutions
An INC. 5,000 fast-growing company, TMS is a leading provider of complex care products and services, specializing in workers' compensation. Providing services nationally, the company coordinates home health care and catastrophic care services, home infusion therapy, custom mobility, home modifications, assistive technology, and durable medical equipment and supplies. For more information, please call 1-800-700-9393 or visit www.newtms.com and TMS' blog www.workcompcomplexcare.com.
Now, imagine a home of four adults, including an injured worker trying to recover - all of which are chronic smokers. Ultimately, the smoke within the home can cripple the injured worker's road to recovery, but not just because of the health issues related to smoking. What about the equipment used to facilitate that recovery? Can equipment be victim to secondhand smoke? If smoke can have such damaging effects on an individual, imagine the effect it can have on a low air-loss mattress - another "breathing" unit within the home. 
