CCM Exam Preparation
CCM Preparation and Resources
The Commission for Case Manager Certification (CCMC®) provides a list of suggested references to assist in preparation for the Certified Case Manager (CCM®) exam. These resources focus on the core knowledge domains of case management practice, including care delivery, reimbursement methods, psychosocial support, and ethical standards.
This is where BoardCerts comes in. BoardCerts CCM practice questions are meticulously aligned with the official exam blueprint and the suggested references provided by the Commission. The questions and detailed rationales are designed to reinforce key case management concepts, sharpen clinical reasoning, and allow candidates to self-evaluate their readiness for the exam.
Key Concepts on CCM exam
Exam Categories: Percentage Distribution
CCM Exam Blueprint Focus Areas
| Area of Focus | Subtopics | Number of Questions | Percent of Exam |
|---|---|---|---|
Care Management | Develop client-centered care plans; apply evidence-based models; assess acuity and severity levels; manage transitions of care across settings (acute, hospice, SNF); coordinate medication reconciliation and interdisciplinary teams. | 45 | 30% |
Psychosocial Concepts & Support Systems | Evaluate social determinants of health (SDOH); apply trauma-informed care principles; assess mental health and cognitive capacity; address gender health influences; manage crisis intervention and client support dynamics. | 30 | 20% |
Ethical, Legal, & Practice Standards | Adhere to the Code of Professional Conduct; apply healthcare legislation (HIPAA, ADA, ACA); manage risk and confidentiality; advocate for client rights; maintain professional documentation and standards of practice. | 27 | 18% |
Reimbursement Methods | Navigate payment methodologies (Medicare, Medicaid, Private); understand Value-Based Care and ACOs; apply utilization review/management principles; manage military/veteran benefits and negotiation techniques. | 18 | 12% |
Quality & Outcomes Evaluation | Use healthcare analytics and data interpretation; conduct cost-benefit analysis; apply quality improvement tools; monitor accreditation standards and quality indicators (CMS, NCQA, NQF). | 15 | 10% |
Rehabilitation Concepts & Strategies | Manage functional capacity evaluations; coordinate vocational rehabilitation and return-to-work strategies; utilize adaptive technologies; navigate life care planning and post-acute rehabilitation service delivery. | 15 | 10% |
CCM Resources
- CMSA Core Curriculum for Case Management, H.M. Tahan, T.M. Treiger, 2016, Wolters Kluwer.
- The Case Manager's Survival Guide: Winning Strategies in the New Healthcare Environment, T.G. Cesta, H.M. Tahan, 2016, Wolters Kluwer.
- Contemporary Issues in Healthcare Law and Ethics, D.M. Harris, 2014, Health Administration Press.
- Delivering Health Care in America: A Systems Approach, L. Shi, D.A. Singh, 2022, Jones & Bartlett Learning.
- Essentials of Managed Health Care, P.R. Kongstvedt, 2013, Jones & Bartlett Learning.
- Handbook of Geriatric Care Management, C.J. Cress, 2015, Jones & Bartlett Learning.
- The Psychological and Social Impact of Illness and Disability, I. Marini, M. Stebnicki, 2017, Springer Publishing Company.
- Medical and Psychosocial Aspects of Chronic Illness and Disability, D. Falvo, B.E. Holland, 2017, Jones & Bartlett Learning.
- Life Care Planning and Case Management Handbook, D.E. Berens, R.O. Weed, 2010, CRC Press.
- Community/Public Health Nursing: Promoting the Health of Populations, M.A. Nies, M. McEwen, 2018, Elsevier.
- Health Program Planning and Evaluation: A Practical, Systematic Approach, L.M. Issel, R. Wells, 2017, Jones & Bartlett Learning.
- Motivational Interviewing: Helping People Change, W.R. Miller, S. Rollnick, 2012, Guilford Press.
- Fundamentals of Case Management Practice: Skills for the Human Services, N. Summers, 2015, Cengage Learning.
- Specialty Practice of Rehabilitation Nursing, C.S. Jacelon, Association of Rehabilitation Nurses, 2011, Rehabilitation Nursing Foundation.
- Case Management Body of Knowledge (CMBOK), Commission for Case Manager Certification, ccmcertification.org.
- CCMC Code of Professional Conduct, Commission for Case Manager Certification, ccmcertification.org.
