What is a Patient Advocate?
What is a Patient Advocate?
A person who helps guide a patient through the healthcare system. This includes help going through the screening, diagnosis, treatment, and follow-up of a medical condition. A patient advocate helps patients communicate with their healthcare providers so they get the information they need to make decisions about their health care. Patient advocates may also help patients set up appointments for doctor visits and medical tests and get financial, legal, and social support. They may also work with insurance companies, employers, case managers, lawyers, and others who may have an effect on a patient’s healthcare needs. Also called patient navigator. – https://www.cancer.gov/publications/dictionaries/cancer-terms/def/patient-advocate
This definition from Cancer.gov is an excellent, yet long-winded, synopsis of what a patient advocate is, but this is just the surface of what we offer. Caring for yourself or a loved one presents a unique set of challenges, many of which we have never encountered before.
From understanding diagnoses and the possible treatments to determining what level of care is needed, to understanding what insurance will cover. This can all be overwhelming during a time that is already emotionally overwhelming. This is where Patient Advocates come in. We will be at your side to help you better understand your options and the best plan of action moving forward.
What Whitely Patients Advocates do:
- Accompany you to appointments to ask specific questions and help you understand what doctors are saying
- Coordinate your care needs among doctors and other healthcare providers especially in new diagnoses such as diabetes, cancer, Parkinson’s, ALS, etc
- Work with your insurance to find the best providers for you
- Review your medical bills and assist you with appeals when necessary
- Supporting you in understanding your options in the hospital when things get overwhelming and confusing
- Guiding patients in families as they transition from different levels of care. For example, going from the hospital to home or adding homecare to cover basic needs in order to stay at home safely and successfully.
- Caregiver support, resource options
- Support in planning for the best senior living option (senior living complex, shared housing, assisted living facility, long-term care facility)
- Support in planning for the end of life
- Work with your financial managers in budgeting through a current illness or forecasting for future funds needed.
- Develop the most efficient plan for your current health
- Background Research: Diagnosis, treatment options, second opinion options. (Information regarding possible options will be documented and given to client/patient and family)
Why use a Patient Advocate?
We have decades of experience in the healthcare industry and we hope to turn our wealth of knowledge into informed decision-making for your unique situation because we know that no two people are the same.
Patient advocates aren’t just for individuals who have recently been diagnosed with a new condition. We support aging in place and alone ensuring that your needs get taken care of so that you may continue to thrive and live your best life!
Remember, anyone who has ever been confused with any part of the ever-changing healthcare environment could benefit from at least having a conversation with a patient advocate.
Have a question or want to learn more if Whitley Patient Advocates could help you click this link to schedule your consult today https://whitleyptadvocates.com/schedule-a-consultation/