FAQs: Patient Advocacy and Working with
Patients' Advocates and Navigators
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Why can't I count on doctors and nurses to take care of
me or my loved one? |
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The
sad state of healthcare in the United States is that we
may no longer be able to count on healthcare
professionals such as doctors, nurse practitioners,
physician assistants and nurses to provide all the care
we need. It's not their
fault. They are being pulled in too many
directions by health insurance companies, pharmaceutical
companies, a plethora of medical research they can't
keep up with, and a population of baby boomers who are
aging and getting sicker than ever before in history.
According to the US
government, between 44,000 and 98,000 Americans die each
year from preventable medical errors and misdiagnoses.
Millions more suffer from these mistakes.
Further, because the system is so
skewed in the direction of reimbursements for procedures
and tests, instead of talking to patients, too often
patients are being overcharged, or charged for services
never performed. Having an
advocate on your side may be the best way to avoid being
one of those statistics. |
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Hospitals already have patient advocates on their
staffs. Why can't that person help me? |
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The
hospital's patient advocate may be able to help you.
However, you have to remember, that person gets his or her paycheck from the
hospital -- not you. When they go to bat for you,
you may not get complete satisfaction because they are
working for the hospital, not you. |
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Does a patient advocate have a medical degree or health
care training? |
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Among those who deal with the health aspects of
advocacy, many do. Many are retired from actual practice and
help patients because they most enjoy that aspect of
their work. Others are trained more in the
administrative, insurance or legal aspects of work, so their
training may not be in health care, but will be in an
area that can help you.
Very few formal patient advocate
programs exist, so advocates tend to come from a variety
of backgrounds. |
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My parents live in another city and I can't be there to
monitor their appointments or coordinate their care.
Can a patient advocate do this for me? How does
the doctor know a patient advocate has permission to do
that? |
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Out
of town care is a perfect scenario for a patient
advocate. Early in the process, your parent (and
you) may sign a health care proxy which the advocate
will keep with him or her in case there are any
questions about privacy and whether the advocate has
permission to know about your parent's care. |
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My father lives in a nursing home, but I'm not sure he's
getting the care he needs all the time. Can a
patient advocate keep an eye on his situation? |
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Many patient advocates work with assisted living, nursing homes and elder
care facilities. Once you identify an advocate you'd
like to interview, this is a good question to ask him or
her. |
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These Frequently Asked Questions are updated regularly.
If you have a question you'd like to see posted, please
contact us. |
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