title: Program for uninsured saves $4.56 million.
abstract: Memorial Hermann Healthcare System's program that provides support for uninsured patients saved the Houston hospital $4.56 million over an 18-month period. Social workers receive notification when a patient flagged for the program comes to the emergency department. They educate patients about the need to see primary care providers instead of coming to the emergency department and match them with clinics that provide free or reduced cost care. They work to overcome barriers to care such as providing assistance with transportation or medication. Chronically ill patients are eligible for coaching from an RN case manager.
mesh_terms: D017046:Cost Savings / Q000379:methods*; D003695:Delivery of Health Care / Q000191:economics*; D006801:Humans; D017057:Medically Uninsured; D019982:Organizational Case Studies; D013781:Texas