Personal Senior Advocates

09/05/2023

As you read this, I’m in New Orleans attending the Healthcare Advocate Summit. 🎊

I’m excited to be with over 500 of my Healthcare Advocate colleagues, some just starting out and, of course, many, many seasoned professionals.

Why do we attend? → To offer the BEST in Healthcare Advocacy services to our clients!

This event offers the latest in continuing education and invaluable networking.

As advocates, we're dedicated and passionate about serving our clients and in that pursuit, we learn and grow the profession together. 👏

I’m sure I’ll come away with knowledge I didn’t have going in, as well as new contacts and friends. 😊

Looking forward to continuing my service to my clients and their families while incorporating the knowledge gathered during this conference.

08/29/2023

Medical litigation can affect patient care in far reaching ways...

It’s so important to follow cases like these (see link) in order to keep current about your rights and understand what may come in the future.

Even if it's not happening in your state, you can be the effects will reach beyond state lines.

If you’re a Healthcare Advocate, it’s especially important to know what’s going on in these very important healthcare decision processes.

Whichever way this particular case resolves, there WILL be possible negative implications for patients going forward.

On the one hand, reversing this decision may affect a patients ability to seek compensation for medical negligence.

On the other hand, NOT reversing this decision may price patients out of health coverage as costs rise to cover litigations.

How do you feel?

AMA Litigation Center and Oregon Medical Association urge state Supreme Court to overturn ruling creating “bad law” and “bad policy” that harms patients.

08/24/2023

I'm super excited for September 5-8th, that's when I'll be attending the Healthcare Advocate Summit in New Orleans. 🎊 (Link Below)

Anyone who works as a healthcare advocate, as a patient navigator, or is involved with health insurance reimbursements, should consider attending. This event is a meeting of the minds, created by advocates for other advocates.

You get to hang out with with seasoned advocates, as well as those who are just getting started. It's a very exciting event and I'll certainly be busy making the most of my time there!

Tons of sessions, workshops and continuing education opportunities. 👏

Looking forward to seeing many of my advocate friends there, connecting with colleagues, and meeting new people. 😊

I'll see you in New Orleans! 👍

https://www.healthcareadvocatesummit.com/

Navigating Access and Reimbursement

08/22/2023

Have you ever seen - BCPA - after a Health Advocate's name and wonder what it means?

BCPA stands for Board Certified Patient Advocate. This certification is a globally recognized credential that was developed by the Patient Advocate Certification Board (PACB).

I'm proud to have earned my BCPA Certification in 2019, and honored to have been one of only 18 Advocates chosen by the PACB to be on the Test Writing Task Force during the creation of the Exam in 2017.

To earn this certification, an advocate has to qualify and take the national licensing exam. The exam assesses domains of competency and contains ethical and moral components.

Holding this certification indicates an Advocate's commitment to...
→ Practice within a high code of conduct and standards.
→ Promote health advocacy while encouraging more to enter the field.
→ Enhance their knowledge with continuing education requirements.

The PACB maintains a searchable list of all who have earned this certification:
https://www.pacboard.org/bcpa-certificant-list/

If you're interested in becoming a BCPA or need help finding an advocate, I'd be happy to answer any questions. Comment below or DM.

08/17/2023

A new study quantifies the frightening rate of misdiagnosis, and diagnostic errors in healthcare. But because many cases of misdiagnoses go undetected, it's estimated the true number is probably closer to 50-100 Million each year!

The following 5 diseases account for 40% of all misdiagnoses:
• Stroke
• Sepsis
• Pneumonia
• Venous thromboembolism
• Lung cancer

Mistakes happen and doctors are human.

The study suggests doctors seek the consult of another doctor prior to diagnosis. This could help, but it's an action OUT of your control.

Another action that may reduce risk of misdiagnosis, and one that's IN your control, is seeking the assistance of an Independent Healthcare Advocate.

An advocate can accompany a patient during appointments, take notes, ask appropriate questions, arrange for second opinions, do research, and follow up with providers.

❗️Take action to protect yourself against medical misdiagnosis❗️

Read More: https://www.statnews.com/2023/07/21/misdiagnoses-cost-the-u-s-800000-deaths-and-serious-disabilities-annually-study/?_hsmi=267655782&_hsenc=p2ANqtz-_U7dNkMyCSURoj8TqH3shQjW5agP6iZoDUzEWaBuQHeahuLZHbsdaIOVIZTZlJnw3-AYyKQLF2cKujISKwxZVF88dfoeffCToHKAMK-X3rj8cHpBM

Read the Study: https://qualitysafety.bmj.com/content/early/2023/08/07/bmjqs-2021-014130?rss=1

08/15/2023

Thank you, Gene and Vicki, for trusting us with medical relocation of your sister. It was a pleasure working with you and your family: helping you sort out our very complex medical system and getting your sister settled close by.

This testimonial is only one example of how an advocate can help achieve the best patient outcome. We, and other advocates are in the business to answer questions and help patients and families navigate all types of illnesses and tasks.

If you feel frustrated, overwhelmed, confused, tired, or lack the time needed to navigate the healthcare system, please seek the help of an Independent Healthcare Advocate.

Call us if you don't know where to start or need help locating an advocate in your area.

08/10/2023

Have you ever received one of the following uninitiated calls from someone claiming they are from Medicare?

The most common medicare scam calls will be about...

• Medicare is issuing new cards.
• Your coverage is about to be cancelled.
• You can receive early access to vaccines.
• You have an appointment for free testing.
• You qualify for free supplies
• You're eligible for a refund
• You're pre-approved for a better plan.

According to Medicare, there are only 2 REASONS why they may call you by phone...

1. A Medicare health or drug plan provider may call you if you’re already a member of that plan. The agent who helped you join might also call you. Keep track of ALL PLANS YOU HAVE JOINED.

2. A customer service representative from 1-800-MEDICARE can call you IF YOU'VE ALREADY CALLED AND LEFT A MESSAGE (or received a letter informing you that someone will call you).

Protect Yourself❗️

Never give out personal information❗️
TRUST YOUR INSTINCTS❗️
Hang up❗️

Report the caller to the medicare fraud hotline: 1-800-HHS-TIPS.

08/08/2023

Has an older loved one ever said they felt "tossed aside" or of lesser importance in the doctor's busy day? Maybe you're the one who has felt that way!

I've often seen patients, in their 80's or 90's, get rushed during doctor appointments and not offered all possible treatment options for their health issues.

Did the doctor offer clinical trial options, or alternative treatment ideas? Did they give you hope for a recovery? These are things commonly offered to a younger patient with the same health problem.

Having someone with you before/during/after appointments can greatly improve the quality of the doctor/patient exchange and very much affect the health outcomes of the older patient.

Many people don't even know the option exists, but Healthcare Advocates are here to help you . Hiring someone to partner with you can be the best decision you make in your health journey.

Reach out for any questions about your own needs or healthcare advocacy in general: https://personalsenioradvocates.com/

08/03/2023

What is... Medical Gaslighting?

👉 Medical gaslighting... describes a behavior in which a physician or other medical professional dismisses or downplays a patient's physical symptoms or attributes them to something else, such as a psychological condition.

Medical gaslighting is especially likely to happen to women and people of color.

This happens all the time, I've experienced it myself.

What can you do?
Stand up for yourself!

→ Keep a detailed diary of your symptoms.
→ Take notes during appointments.
→ Ask for a thorough exam.
→ Get a second, third or fourth opinion.

Advocate for your health!

And if you need help advocating for yourself → reach out to an Independent Healthcare Advocate who would be happy to do it for you!

08/02/2023

How can I help you during your health and medical journey?

As an independent Healthcare Advocate I will be there to advocate for you, whether it be in a hospital, assisted living, long term care, hospice, at a doctors office, or in your home.

Chronic care coordination or crisis management or anything in between.

I'll communicate with your healthcare team and coordinate your care across specialties and departments.

YOUR needs are my number one priority, NOT the needs of the hospital, the providers, or the insurers.

Don't go it alone. Reach out for help.

07/31/2023

This is a wonderful 7 minute overview of what a Healthcare Advocate can do for a patient and/or their family.

The video is a few years old but the work of advocacy is even more relevant today.

Do you see yourself in these types of situations?

"... You can be the smartest person in the world, but when you're sucked into the healthcare vortex, you need help...."

Reach out to me or any Healthcare Advocate for help. We'll point you in the right direction.

The tangled, inscrutable bureaucracy of the American healthcare system has given rise to a brand new profession: the patient advocate.Often second careerists...

07/27/2023

Are you a healthcare professional?

If so, how has our antiquated and for-profit healthcare system affected you and your work?

You most likely entered into your career with a deep passion for improving patient outcomes, a selfless goal to say the least.

Sadly, however, we recognize that you're often unable to realize your full ability due to the ineffective and disjointed health system in which you work.

As a healthcare advocate, I'd like to shed light on how far reaching these effects can be.

It would be great if you could take a moment and share a real life example in the comments below. 👇🏼

The more we share, the more we become aware.

07/25/2023

According to TIME Magazine "More Than 70% of Americans Feel Failed by the Health Care System". https://time.com/6279937/us-health-care-system-attitudes/

The top 3 reasons cited are:
1. Costs
2. Inaccessibility
3. Confusing Logistics

- Our healthcare system is focused on profits.
- Treatment options and insurance coverage are often inaccessible.
- Confusion blocks us from finding the right provider, the right treatment, and the right insurance.

How has our healthcare system failed you? or a loved one?

Please share your stories with us here on FB.

Because the more we shed light on this growing problem, the more opportunity we have to change it!

07/20/2023

So you want to find a Healthcare Advocate, but aren't sure how?

Start by visiting the following Professional Healthcare Advocacy organizations' searchable directories...

1. Alliance of Professional Health Advocates/Umbra Health Advocacy ( https://app.umbrahealthadvocacy.com )

2. National Association of Healthcare Advocacy
( https://nahac.com )

3. Greater National Advocates ( https://www.gnanow.org )

Other options:

👉 Search on LinkedIn where you'll find a far reaching network of advocates sharing valuable insights (enter 'healthcare advocate' into your search bar). Connect and message the advocates. Even if not in your area, they may be able to point you in the right direction.

👉 Ask your healthcare provider if they have any recommendations.

👉 Ask family/friends/coworkers.

👉 Put out a request on your social media.

👉 Google "private healthcare advocate near.... "

I promise you, Healthcare Advocates are out there and ready to help with your healthcare journey.

07/18/2023

Personal Healthcare Advocacy is growing in popularity. 👏

I'm on a mission to contribute to that growth by sharing valuable information and resources about Healthcare Advocacy.

My goal is to increase awareness about advocacy and how it could help you or a loved one.

My hope is to reach someone out there who may be feeling overwhelmed by a health challenge, and provide them with the information needed in order to achieve a better health outcome. 👍

Whatever your needs may be, a privately hired Healthcare Advocate will work with you one-on-one, and will personalize the services to your situation.

How do you find a Healthcare Advocate 🤔 Stay tuned for tips.

Message me if you have any questions at all about healthcare advocacy.

07/14/2023

Have you ever felt this way? If you haven't, chances are, you will.

I apologize if this statement seems accusatory or vindictive. But truth be told, it's too often very real.

Reach out for help from an Independent Healthcare Advocate.

A Healthcare Advocate will help you to navigate the messy and disjointed healthcare system.

Healthcare Advocates have professional experience and an extensive network of health and medical contacts.

Reach out for help, it's out there!

If you need help finding an advocate in your area, please contact us at... personalsenioradvocates.com.... We would be happy to help and/or provide local referrals.

07/13/2023

Granting yourself permission to ask for help when struggling with your own, or a loved one's health concerns, is probably the last thing on your mind.

However, asking for help from a professionally trained Independent Healthcare Advocate can be the best, and potentially life-altering, decision you make.

The following journey illustrates why...

Jennifer lives on the west coast. Her mom, who recently became a widow and has some health challenges, lives alone on the east coast.

So Jen thinks, “ok, I’ve got this, how hard can it be with all the remote services available?” And she begins the task of long distance health care management...

➕ Scheduling appointments ➕ Arranging for transportation to those appointments ➕ Scheduling time to speak with doctors because her mom is unable to provide accurate information regarding what happened during those appointments ➕ Arranging for medication delivery and home services ➕ And so on, and so on, and so on.

This works for a short time, but when mom’s care becomes a bit more involved, Jen not only feels overwhelmed, but suffers from the guilt of not ‘being there’. Mom's health is declining, but for Jen, putting mom in a facility is not an option.

Hiring a private Healthcare Advocate near her mom would function not only as Jen's eyes/ears and take all of these tasks off her plate, but equally important, it would provide her mom with a consistent and comforting point of contact.

Don’t be afraid to reach out for help.

It may be the best way to care for yourself or a loved one.

07/10/2023

Managing healthcare can be messy, time consuming, and overwhelming.

An Independent Healthcare Advocate can help.

But what, you may ask, is a Healthcare or Patient Advocate and what can they do for me?

An Independent Healthcare Advocate is someone who can be hired to help with the task of managing your own or a loved one's health journey, when that journey has grown beyond the scope of your own knowledge, location, or time.

What can a Healthcare Advocate do?

1. Coordinate care among multiple doctors. 2. Communicate with providers on your behalf. 3. Arrange for, and attend appointments. 4. Keep family members informed. 5. Conduct research for treatment alternatives. 6. Negotiate insurance billing. 7. Guide you through a complex diagnosis. 8. Arrange for in-home care, long-term care, or hospice. care, and so, so, so much more!

Note: While healthcare advocates do NOT provide hands on medical care, many of them have come from healthcare and related backgrounds.

Stay tuned for examples of how an advocate can play a vital role in your health journey.