Getting medical care, whether it’s a routine check-up or beginning a long-term treatment regimen for a complex diagnosis, should be a positive experience. We turn to healthcare providers to help us feel better and live healthy, happy lives, and they do their utmost to give us the proper care.
As beneficial as the healthcare system is, it can also be confusing and even frightening at times, especially in the face of a serious illness or injury. A patient advocate can help you coordinate care for yourself or a loved one, communicate with healthcare providers, find home health services, and clearly explain every step of the process.
What Is a Patient Advocate?
A patient advocate is a professional with medical knowledge and experience who can be by your side as you navigate the healthcare system. Working with a patient advocate can be particularly helpful in situations where you may be getting care from multiple providers, seeking increasing levels of care, or managing a loved one’s care from a distance.
Older Adults
Older adults often benefit from having an advocate coordinating their healthcare. Seniors frequently have to see multiple providers, keep track of a variety of prescriptions, and stay on top of appointments and tests. The logistics can be daunting for anyone, but seniors may have additional struggles with managing their care. Technology tools like patient portals and apps may be unfamiliar and can lead to missed communications with providers. Even analog communication, like paper forms and in-person conversations, may be more difficult if patients have difficulty with their vision or hearing. Patient advocates help seniors manage all the moving parts of healthcare.
Individuals with Complex Diagnoses
Receiving a diagnosis of a major medical condition is overwhelming. Patients and their families have to deal with the emotional impacts of a life-changing diagnosis, while also diving headfirst into a whirlwind of medical procedures, prescriptions, and treatment plans. Patient advocates can take on tasks that simplify care, such as:
- Coordinating appointments with specialists
- Reviewing medical records
- Dealing with insurance issues
- Arranging for home care services
- Providing patients and families with support
Patient advocates are also a valuable information resource. They can explain details about health conditions, treatment options, and clinical trials. They can also advocate for changes to treatment if there are challenges with a medication or protocol.
Individuals Living Far from Family Members
Many people, particularly seniors, don’t live near other family members. While they may have a strong community of friends, neighbors, and colleagues, they may not be comfortable asking non-family members for support in medical matters. Their families may also be worried about them and want the assurance that their loved one is getting the care they need.
J.K. found herself splitting her time between her home in New York and her mother’s home in Florida to help her aging mother. The stress and expense of frequent travel and incomplete communication with her mother and her mother’s care team were taking a toll on her. She brought on a patient advocate to provide support locally, so she could space out her visits without leaving her mother on her own during appointments. In addition, the advocate was a central point of communication between J.K., her mother, and the medical professionals caring for her. J.K. could count on the advocate to keep her fully informed and advise her on treatment options that would serve her mother’s best interests.
Families Seeking Long-Term Care Solutions
While many people are familiar with the idea of a residential care facility, the process of finding the right one can feel overwhelming. It’s not as simple as reading a few online reviews and signing a lease. Families must weigh medical needs, insurance networks, safety concerns, and personal preferences before making a decision.
That’s where Senior Placement Specialists can be invaluable. They assist families in identifying and evaluating the most appropriate Independent Living, Assisted Living, and Memory Care facilities. For individuals requiring higher levels of support, I can also recommend trusted Rehabilitation Facilities and Skilled Nursing Facilities.
A patient advocate can guide families through every step of this process, from joining tours of facilities, asking critical questions about the care provided, and ensuring nothing is overlooked. Once a family makes a decision, the advocate can also coordinate with doctors and therapists to update care plans and help with the transition to new providers.
Individuals with Health Insurance Challenges
Health insurance, disability insurance, and long-term care insurance can help defray the costs of medical care, pay for a residential facility, and make up for lost income while recovering from an illness or injury. However, navigating insurance claims can be a real headache. A patient advocate can help families make sense of insurance coverage and advise them on how to appeal denials.
G.R. was having trouble getting Medicare to approve claims for her aging aunt. Her patient advocate was able to work through the bureaucratic process to ensure that the patient’s care would be covered. In addition, the advocate made sure the patient could see the doctors she chose when she needed to see them.
Anyone With Questions About Their Health and Care
Healthcare is a nuanced and complex subject. Understanding diagnosis and treatment plans can be confusing for anyone, and that’s understandable. After all, it takes doctors seven years or more to be qualified to diagnose and treat patients!
Patients and their families shouldn’t expect to understand vast quantities of new information they hear in medical appointments. A healthcare advocate can cut through the jargon to help patients and their loved ones understand what healthcare providers mean. If patients have questions after appointments, they can ask their advocate, who can either provide an answer or facilitate communication with the provider to get more information.
Healthcare Advisor Nan
The team at Healthcare Advisor Nan offers comprehensive healthcare advocacy services, including medical record review, care coordination, support during hospitalization, and regular check-ins via phone and email.
You can also purchase the downloadable Living Healthy With Nan resource kit. The kit provides essential guides on topics including selecting residential care facilities, choosing doctors, understanding health insurance, and more.
Contact us today to learn more about how the patient advocates at Healthcare Advisor Nan can help you and your family. You can fill out our online form or call us at (786) 507-5637.
