Patient advocates assist patients when it comes to resolving numerous challenges related to medical care.
Patient advocates help those who receive medical care and their loved ones get adequate medical attention. Men and women who act as patient advocates are a type of middle person, communicating the desires of a patient to those in charge of that person's medical treatment. The duties an advocate may perform include helping with the choices a person has when it comes to medical procedures, resolution of payment challenges, setting up doctors visits and locating the best possible doctor to perform an operation.
Instructions
1. Set aside the amount of money you can afford. Standard health insurance does not often pay for an advocate of this type. Be ready to come out of pocket to pay for your personal helper, whose fees can range as high as $200 for each 60 minutes they serve (see Resources). If you are not able to cover these fees, consider working through an organization such as the Patient Advocate Foundation, which offers assistance to those who need it at little to no cost.
2. Find a patient advocate with whom you connect. The person with whom you choose to work should be patient, caring and relentless in her efforts to meet your medical needs. Look for candidates who meet all of these criteria, and above all choose someone who has a great deal of experience in the medical industry. You can also find a paid source for patient advocates at healthcareadvocates.com. They perform tasks such as assistance with finding a doctor and research regarding client health choices for a one-time charge of up to $400.
3. Speak with candidates you are considering face-to-face. Watch the facial expressions of the people you speak with to see how they react to your current health circumstances. Find out the amount of time they have been an advocate, tasks they will perform and the costs they charge on an hourly basis.
Tags: medical care, when comes, with whom