WHY PRIVATE PATIENT ADVOCATES MAKE A DIFFERENCE IN HEALTH CARE

By: Pnina Rosner

Courtesy of Homodia Magazine

A private patient advocate proactively guides a patient and their loved ones through the increasingly complex and fragmented health- care system. Private Patient advocates educate and empower clients to stand up to doctors, hospitals and insurance companies in defense of their best interests.

Advocates work with physicians, nursing homes, rehabilitation centers and insurance carriers to make sure the patient understands the diagnosis and treatment plan. An advocate is there to make sure little goes wrong in the first place, including the goal to enable every individual to live the most fulfilling life possible with utmost dignity, focusing on the physical, mental, spiritual, family and financial well-being.

Doctors and nurses who have worked with advocates recognize what an advantage it is to their work. They spend less time having to reiterate their instructions to a patient and they feel confident to rely on a patient advocate. Having an independent professional patient advocate can help you and your family through emotional times such as facing a new diagnosis, going through treatments, and making tough decisions, and finding appropriate medical providers with the expertise needed.

As health-care insurance policies are continually changing, doctors are trying to squeeze in more patients per visit. The patient advocate’s role is to make sure the patients get the care they need. Private patient advocates are willing to stand up for their patients because the health-care system is becoming more complex and patients must be more proactive in their health.

Private advocates can mean the difference when it comes to quality, or quantity, of life. An advocate may help you or your loved one live longer, or live stronger and better, or save you money. A patient advocate knows how to explain things in terms you can understand, whether it is your diagnosis or treatment recommendations. A private patient advocate will charge for the services but they ate definitely worth the cost.

Advocates develop personal relationships with you loved ones, providing a safety net, and will notice any changes that the ever-changing medical staff may overlook. As a second set of eyes and ears in the hospital room, they are alert to any circumstances appearing out of the ordinary. You or your loved one will have the opportunity to share your worries and concerns with an empathetic companion who can help relieve the feeling of isolation that is common in most hospital stays.

Knowing that your loved one has a personal patient advocate gives you the peace of mind you need to continue with your personal life. The patient has the security of an advocate, they will devote their valuable time to healing and recovery, rather than having to challenge matters of care and treatment. Patients and their caregivers will be notified immediately with any marked changed in medical status and will be documented for continuous reviews.