A patient navigator aids in the management of a patient’s health care, treatment plan, or hospital stay. Patient navigators are typically trained to assist patients in navigating the health-care system. A patient may be required to visit doctors’ offices, hospitals, diagnostic centers, clinics, and medical facilities that provide outpatient care in order to receive the care he requires. He may also have to deal with insurance companies and billing offices. A patient navigator assists a patient in scheduling appointments and adhering to insurance and billing requirements.
A patient navigator’s job often entails assisting in the scheduling of appointments and ensuring that patients are treated in a timely manner. In order to accomplish this, he may collaborate with various medical offices and scheduling personnel to coordinate the appointments that a patient requires. He may also inform the patient of his upcoming appointments and assist in resolving any scheduling conflicts. If a patient is unable to keep an appointment, the doctor may reschedule the patient’s appointments to ensure that he is examined, diagnostic testing is performed, and treatment is administered on a timely basis.
A patient navigator will typically communicate with all of the people involved in the patient’s care. A person with this title, for example, is responsible for keeping in touch with the patient and his family. On a regular basis, he may communicate with the patient’s health care providers. His primary goal is to ensure that the patient and his loved ones are well informed and satisfied with the care they are receiving.
A patient navigator can also assist a patient in understanding his insurance coverage and medical provider billing practices in many cases. If a patient requires assistance paying for medical services, a patient navigator may be able to assist him in locating financial assistance. A person with this title may also assist a patient in completing financial paperwork needed to apply for financial assistance and ensuring that his medical providers are paid on time.
Patient navigators frequently assist patients with a variety of other issues. A person with this title, for example, could arrange transportation to and from medical appointments and assist patients with any paperwork required to receive transportation services. A person with this title may also assist patients in finding local support groups or locating useful services in their communities.