Report: Patient navigators could save $200 billion

A new study by an organization representing Northeastern Ohio hospitals found that patient navigation could save billions of dollars at hospitals nationwide (Source: "Patient navigation: Revenue opportunities for hospitals," Fierce Healthcare, Jan. 1, 2013).

The report from Center for Health Affairs concludes that patient navigators -- professionals (either clinical or a lay person) dedicated to individualized patient care -- could reduce appointment no-show rates and cut readmission rates.

The report notes that "navigation is not about a set of specified services," but rather "recognizing barriers for individual patients and identifying strategies to eliminate them.