What is an Independent Patient Advocate?
What is an Independent Patient Advocate?
This definition from Cancer.gov below is an excellent description of what a patient advocate is, but this is just the surface of what Patient Advocates offer. Caring for yourself or a loved one can present a particular set of challenges that you may have never encountered before.
Often our clients tell us that these challenges can leave them exhausted and frustrated. An Independent Patient Advocate is one that practices independently and does not work directly for any organization. Contracts for these consulting services are directly between the patient/family and the independent 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
From understanding diagnoses and the possible treatments to determining what level of care is needed, to understanding what insurance will cover, Whitley Patient Advocates can guide you through this difficult time.
This can be mind-boggling 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 for you and your loved ones.
What Whitely Patients Advocates do:
- Attend appointments with you to ask appropriate questions and to ensure you understand the responses given to you.
- Coordinate your care needs among doctors and other healthcare providers, especially in new diagnoses such as diabetes, cancer, Parkinson’s, ALS, etc.
- Communicate with your insurance to find the best providers for you.
- Medical bill review and assist you with appeals if necessary.
- Support you in understanding your options in the hospital when things get overwhelming and confusing.
- Guiding patients and 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 and resource options to put you at ease.
- 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 scenario.
- Work with your financial managers in budgeting through a current illness or forecasting for future funds needed.
- Establish 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?
With almost 60 decades of experience in the healthcare industry, 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, as well as aging 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 having a conversation with a patient advocate. Don’t let frustration and confusion steal your joy of being a senior and flourishing at a later age.
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/