To Thine Own Self Be True (with apologies to William Shakespeare)

To Thine Own Self Be True (with apologies to William Shakespeare)

This post was contributed by
Cindi Gatton, Pathfinder Patient Advocacy Group

As professional patient advocates we come to our discipline with a deep desire to help people through the vagaries of our healthcare system, a system that can swallow up even the most informed consumer. Our clients trust us to be able to step back from the situations that are upsetting and unfathomable to them to help them make truly personalized, informed decisions.

This is not work for the ...

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client services, health and patient advocate skills, mentoring, starting an advocacy practice, Uncategorized

Lions, Tigers, and Insurance….Oh My!

Lions, Tigers, and Insurance….Oh My!

(or why investing in the jungle of insurance competence is worthwhile for your practice)

This post was contributed by
Cindi Gatton, Pathfinder Patient Advocacy Group

Occasionally when I’m asked the inevitable “What do you do?” at a party, I answer that I am a personal fire department for health care issues.

Most calls to the fire department don’t come when people first smell smoke, but rather when someone sees flames. The reality I experience in my own practice is ...

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client services, health and patient advocate skills, Uncategorized

Thinking About Developing a Patient Advocate Service?

Thinking About Developing a Patient Advocate Service?

This post was contributed by
Karen Mercereau, RN Patient Advocates

Undoubtedly you are passionate about the role and determined to help people survive the medical system as well as possible. What do I mean about survive?

You may already know that the Academy of Medicine report (2115) that states there are 12 million misdiagnoses in the US annually and that there are up to 440,000 deaths due in full or part to preventable ...

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client services, health and patient advocate skills, starting an advocacy practice

Building a Team to Help Your Clients

This video post was contributed by
Caryn Isaacs, Get Health Help

Building a Team to Help Your Clients

Caryn Isaacs

  • How can you acquire the knowledge you need?  How can you get the answers you are looking for?
  • Build a team of professionals as resources, people you can trust and recommend
  • Participate in events and committees so others ask you to join their teams
  • It takes time.  Surround yourself with people you want to ...
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client services, health and patient advocate skills, starting an advocacy practice, Uncategorized

Patient Advocacy Skill Set Checklist: The Ability to Negotiate

Patient Advocacy Skill Set Checklist: The Ability to Negotiate

This post was contributed by
Lisa Berry Blackstock, Soul Sherpa®
a mentor for those who are building an advocacy practice.

A patient advocate who isn’t afraid to negotiate on behalf of a client is likely to be an advocate in demand. Everywhere an advocate turns, opportunities to negotiate are plentiful: Inflated medical bills, premature hospital discharges, discontinuation of physical therapy sessions, procedures deemed medically unnecessary by insurance companies – yet desired by a specialty physician. The list is ...

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client services, health and patient advocate skills

4 Steps to Being the Most Effective Advocate

4 Steps to Being the Most Effective Advocate

This post was contributed by
Martine Brousse, AdvimedPro

Welcome to our growing circle of advocates!

You have learned from APHA and other mentors how to set your business and get started.

So let me ask you. Why did you choose this rewarding but challenging profession? What do you have to offer? What are your expectations?

1. Know your niche

Too often, new or prospective advocates ask me: “How quickly can I learn medical billing?”

While I always welcome the opportunity to educate, this ...

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client services, health and patient advocate skills, mentoring