Table 1.

Comparison of the two main case management models in the COMPAS* study

Characteristics of different models	Linkage model	Intensive case management/joint agency model
Central point for registration of cognitively impaired persons	New clients are referred by GP or medical specialist to the central registration point after diagnosis	New clients are referred by GP or medical specialist to the Multidisciplinary team at central registration point before or after diagnosis
Possibility to diagnose dementia	No, CM generally starts after diagnosis	By Multidisciplinary team
Starting point of case management	After diagnosis	Also possible before diagnosis; e.g. in case of MCI or suspicion of dementia.
Delivery of services	Independent and competitive organizations that often differ regarding case manager tasks and type of employment.	Mainly by one organization that provides uniform case manager tasks
Multidisciplinary team	Intramural or extramural expert team that case managers can consult. Not always operating in the same organization. Frequency of consultation varies	Elderly care physicians, neuropsychologist, neurologist, geriatrician, psychiatrist, dementia consultant all work within the same organization as case managers
Financing	Annual contracts with insurance companies. Funding is provided based on the “Law on Exceptional Medical Expenses” (AWBZ) as well as municipalities (WMO).	Annual contracts with insurance companies. Funding is provided based on the Law on Exceptional Medical Expenses (AWBZ) as well as municipalities (WMO). Sometimes diagnostics and treatment tasks are funded by the Health Insurance Act (Zvw) and certain case manager tasks are covered by the Diagnostic Treatment Combinations (DBC).

(CM = case management, GP = general practitioner, WMO = Social Support Act).

(*The COMPAS study investigates clinical, cost-effectiveness and process outcomes between the case management models and usual care).