The Patient Advocate Role:
When You Go to Court, You Need a Lawyer; When You Go to the Hospital, You Need a Patient Advocate

Most people would agree, if you had to go to court on something, you would hire an attorney.

Why? Because they are the experts, they know the ins and outs of a courtroom, and they will fight for your cause. Most people also hire a tax person to do their taxes, because those of us who are not accountants, are not educated in finance, and an expert will do a better job.

Shouldn’t your health and well-being get the same consideration? After all it is your health and sometimes your life we are talking about.
 
What Does Being a “Patient Advocate” Even Mean?

“Patient advocates support and promote patients’ rights as they navigate the health care system. Whether or not you are ill, managing your health can be confusing and overwhelming. And when things go wrong, it can be hard to get your voice heard by the health care professionals around you. Health care providers and administrators do not intend to make things difficult for patients, but the system is so complicated that there is not much time for compassion and understanding.

A patient advocate can guide you through the confusing maze of health care with caring, sensitivity. (S)he can focus exclusively on your needs and help you resolve concerns about the quality of your care, get the care you need, and ensure that your voice is heard and that you are included in decision-making.” - [ Ссылка ]


Let Patient Advocates Help You Interpret and Reduce Medical Bills

Gross or Alarming Facts - There Are REAL People Behind These Statistics - Don’t Forget :
 
-The most germ ridden object in your hospital room is your TV remote control?
-90% of all medical bills are incorrect and it is the number one reason for bankruptcy in this
country?
-12 Million Americans are misdiagnosed every year?
-The third leading cause of death in this country is due to medical errors?
-Studies show doctors only spend 8 minutes with their patients?


Or perhaps your experience is like so many others:
-Can’t read your own test results because of all the test codes and medical jargon? Hema-what? ICD-10 code? Huh?
-You’re not alone: according to one recent study, up to 90% of hospital bills contain errors
-The Huffington Post, March 24, 2015 tells us in a study done by Harvard University, the #1 reason for bankruptcy in this country is medical bills
-And furthermore, “72% of those who filed bankruptcy due to medical expenses had some
type of medical insurance, thus debunking the myth that only the uninsured face financial
catastrophes due to medical related expenses”
-In an article by CBS, 12 Million Americans are misdiagnosed each year (CBS News, April 17, 2014)
-CBS also reported that per a study done in a journal by BMJ Quality and Safety, the 12 million people seeking outpatient care who were misdiagnosed represents 1 out of every 20 people, and apparently half of those patient diagnoses could result in serious harm
-The trend is now 11 to 15 minutes for a doctor to spend with a patient. Often it is more like 5 to 7 minutes spent with the patient because that allotment of time usually includes the charting (USA Today, April 20, 2014)
-As a result, another study suggests that medical errors are now the third leading cause of death in the U.S. (Johns Hopkins Medicine May 3, 2016 - this study was conducted over an 8-year period)
-The results of the study showed that the third leading cause of death equates to 250,000 deaths per year due to medical errors

Don’t be a statistic - This is the Better Patient Advocate Definition

Patient Advocate Duties - What an Advocate Can Do for You?

-Research diagnosis and all treatment options
-Patient Advocates Help Interpret Medical Charts
-Assist in getting a second opinion
-Preparation and accompaniment to doctor’s appointments
-Hospital bedside monitoring
-Review medications
-End of Life planning and paperwork (i.e. living wills, POST, DNRs, Advance Directives, etc.)
-Assist with filing insurance claims and disputing denials
-Choosing health insurance
-Mediation
-Help in filing for Social Security, Disability or other assistance
-Assisted living or nursing home recommendations
-Track paperwork and records
-Pain Management
-Patient Rights
-Age in Place
-Financial Advocacy
-Review Medical Bills

Looking for more answers? Going through a rough situation right now? Would you consider giving us the opportunity to be that Patient Advocate for you?

Values Based Patient Advocates is located at 5180 Parkstone Dr. # 160, Chantilly, VA 20151 and Our Patient Advocate Office is ever just an email or phone call away: 703-222-1300

Looking for more info? Have you downloaded our best practices health guide yet? Here’s what you get:

Patient Advocate Services – A Best Practices Patient Health Guide

Download it here ⇒ [ Ссылка ]

свернуть