The benefit of patient navigator programs

A recent study published in the American Journal of Managed Care looked at the impact of an emergency department patient navigator program for patients in a Medicaid accountable care organization across three hospitals in a large health system. The program engaged community health workers to promote primary care engagement, facilitate care coordination, and identify and address patients’ health-related social needs. These findings underscored the importance of patient navigation and patient-centered care.

Nearly 33% of US adults and 13% of children enrolled in Medicaid insurance programs experience obstacles when seeking care. Oftentimes, the obstacles derive from physical and economic barriers that hinder patient access to non–emergent care settings.

Acadian Health utilizes Coleman’s Four Pillars of the Care Transitions model as part of our core fundamentals for post-discharge visits and patients with low provider engagement. Acadian Health’s use of the Four Pillars aligns with Mass General Brigham’s ED Patient Navigator Program, which aims to reduce care access barriers. Patient navigation is responsible for promoting primary care engagement, facilitating care coordination, identifying patient social needs and reducing future ED use and hospitalizations. Additional tasks include reviewing the patient record, providing resource materials, and developing a provider engagement with the patient.

Learn more about the study:

Patient Engagement Hit: Patient Navigation Program Drops Emergency Department Utilization

American Journal of Managed Care: Improving Care Coordination and Reducing ED Utilization Through Patient Navigation