OBJECTIVES In addition to study outcome concerns arising from patients lost to follow-up (LFU) in pharmacoepidemiology and pharmacovigilance studies, the financial impact of LFU can be significant. Our objectives were to estimate cost per patient in Non-interventional studies, to identify variables that may affect this patient cost, to estimate cost of patient lost to follow-up (LFU), and financial benefits that can be expected from LFU minimization through Direct to Patient Contact service (DPC). METHODS Analysis of 2013 proposals and budgets submitted to study sponsors. Selection criteria: non interventional, prospective, longitudinal patient follow-up, full CRO services. Analysis were performed according to patient sample size, study duration, disease category, and different hypothesis for LFU rates. RESULTS CONCLUSIONS Return On Investment plays an important role for Sponsors to determine if DPC is valuable in a study. The financial investment may be beneficial regardless of the cost to insure completion of the patients, thus meeting the scientific study objectives. But it could generate cost savings as well.