The AP/Spokane Spokesman Review on Friday examined how more health insurers are employing health coaches to counsel recently discharged hospital patients about follow-up visits, prescription drugs and other medical needs in an effort to reduce repeat visits to the emergency department. Recently discharged hospital patients are less likely to return to the ED during the first six months after discharge if they consult with a health coach, according to a recent study by the University of Colorado. In addition, for every patient enrolled in a health coaching program, an insurer can save nearly $845 in annual hospital costs, the study found. The federal government is conducting a three-year coaching pilot program to examine the concept. The program involves about 115,000 fee-for-service Medicare patients. Since 2005, participants have received health coaching after being discharged from the hospital or as part of their routine care through eight health care organizations. Participating health groups must show at least 5% savings from the coaching or repay the federal government for the cost of the service. Barbara Hoffman of CMS said results of the program will not be available until the summer of 2008, but anecdotal evidence suggests the program has been beneficial to some Medicare patients (AP/Spokane Spokesman Review, 10/13).

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