Personal Senior Advocates
We are Private Patient Advocates
The field of Private Patient Advocacy is new to many people. It’s growth has been fueled by the for-profit Healthcare climate which has taken the focus off of what is best for the patient, to what is best for the shareholders.
Here are answers to the most often asked questions we receive about Advocacy:
What is a Patient Advocate?
A Patient Advocate will work with the healthcare team to ensure you receive timely, appropriate treatment, necessary pain management, basic comfort measures and respect. Your advocate speaks the language, knows what questions to ask and what the answers mean. In a medical crisis, communication is key. Advocates understand the policies and procedures in a medical setting and will prepare you with the knowledge needed for you and your family to make informed decisions regarding your care.
Why do I need a patient advocate?
Our healthcare system is not user friendly. No one should be in a medical facility without an advocate. When you or a family member is experiencing a health crisis, having an advocate can make the difference between a good outcome and a devastating result.
Does Insurance cover the cost of a patient advocate?
Insurance does not pay for an advocate. While this might not be the answer you were looking for, if your advocate was paid by your insurance company, he or she would be making decisions based on what is best for the insurance company, which is not necessarily what is best for you. Your advocate is hired to work strictly on your behalf to ensure you receive appropriate patient focused care.
Who hires a patient advocate?
Advocates are hired by the patient, a family member or a friend. Anyone can hire an advocate for any number of issues. Advocates provide a variety of services. Quality of care issues, insurance billing reviews, insurance denials, diagnosis specific assistance, legal issues, just to name a few.
What is the cost of a patient advocate?
The cost for an advocate varies and is determined by the services they provide. The hourly fees can range from $150 to $450 per hour or more. Each advocate has a fee structure and retainer structure that is specific to their practice. Hiring an advocate to oversee your care can seem pricey, however, peace of mind you receive is priceless.
Below is a more complete list of our services.
Other Services You May Need
You wouldn’t imagine some of the unique requests we receive from our clients. Even better, you wouldn’t believe how many of those client requests we have been able to successfully fulfill. So ask away!