WHEN OUR SON, Jeremy, had to stop working and go on disability in December 2018, his employer provided a patient advocate for him: Barbara Abruzzo RN, BCPA. She is the founder and CEO of the Patient Advocacy agency, Livingwell Care Navigation. Many such agencies are available throughout the country.
We had never heard of a patient advocate before. Barbara helped our son considerably and took a lot of the difficult work off his back. She was a bulldog when it came to getting results.
Wikipedia has an informative page on patient advocacy.
Coursera has a more detailed description. Some passages from that page are included below.
What does a patient advocate do?
Written by Coursera (updated on Coursera’s website Oct 25, 2022):
Patient advocates help patients—and their loved ones—navigate the health care system in many ways, like communicating with doctors, finding legal help, working with insurance companies, and setting up tests and screenings. They assist with many aspects of a patient’s medical care to make it a little less complicated.
The health care system can be confusing and overwhelming, especially when a patient is also dealing with a scary health diagnosis. Advocates take care of patients from their diagnosis through their treatment, recovery, and follow-up visits. Though they may work with anyone who requires health care, advocates more commonly assist those with chronic illnesses, multiple illnesses, or life-threatening conditions.
Sometimes, a social worker, chaplain, or even a loved one may fill the role of a patient advocate. In recent years, hospitals and other health care facilities have started to add professional staff members to fill the void. Patient advocates may also work independently or for small businesses specializing in health care advocacy.
Patient advocate titles
Other potential titles for a patient advocate include the following:
- Health advocate
- Patient navigator
- Care manager
- Case manager
- Ombudsman
- Medical advocate
- Patient liaison
- Patient representative
- Consumer advocate
Regular duties and responsibilities
- Setting up medical appointments and finding second opinions
- Finding financial and legal resources
- Locating support groups and other social support
- Negotiating medical bills
- Checking medical bills for accuracy
- Resolving disputes between patients and their health care providers and between patients and insurance companies
- Gathering information on specific conditions and illnesses
- Communicating with doctors, nurses, therapists, and other providers, as well as insurance companies on a patient’s behalf
- Explaining things to patients, ranging from medical bills to information on a diagnosis
- Navigating treatment and care options
- Keeping notes of what happens during medical visits
- Ensuring patients’ needs and wishes are met when they can’ t speak for themselves
- Helping patients fill out forms and applications
- Identifying areas where more or better care is needed
- Supporting patients’ rights
- Reading medical charts, bills, and documents
- Providing general support when a patient feels lonely or sad
- Securing transportation to and from appointments
Where do advocates work?
- Hospitals: Hospitals typically keep patient advocates on staff. They are available to all patients during a hospital stay and then remain in contact for a time after discharge.
- Nursing homes: Many nursing homes, senior living homes, and assisted living facilities also have patient advocates.
- Insurance companies: Like hospitals, many insurance companies have patient advocates available.
- Health care advocacy nonprofits: Some nonprofit organizations provide patient advocates for people in need. While some rely on volunteers, others may hire professional patient advocates to have on staff.
- Independent patient advocacy businesses: As the need for patient advocates grows, some people are working as independent contractors or setting up small businesses that deal solely with helping patients navigate the health care system. Directories online can help patients find private patient advocates: Solace Health, Patient Advocate Foundation, and National Patient Advocate Foundation.
- Government agencies: Some governmental agencies hire patient advocates at the federal or state level. These include government-run health care programs, such as Medicare and Medicaid.
