My health plan/hospital has assigned me an advocate/navigator. Why should I hire you?
Hospitals and insurance companies often hire patient advocates/navigators. These patient advocates work for the health plan and or hospital. While they may serve a valuable purpose and assist the patient they are limited in what they can and will do for you. For example, they:
- Won’t accompany their member to a physician office visit or visit them in the hospital and referee a complicated case.
- Won’t help their member select a physician, arrange for a second opinion or expedite appointments and diagnostic tests.
- Won’t serve as a communication resource for family and friends.
- Won’t do in-depth research to assist their member in selecting a treatment option.
- Won’t assist the member in evaluating annual health plan options and related benefits elections, and they won’t represent the member in denied pre-authorizations or denial of claims for payment.
How can I benefit from a patient advocate?
A private patient advocate works for you, not a hospital or health insurance company or other third party. An advocate works to eliminate barriers by helping make sense of the healthcare system as well as enhancing communication and coordination so you can make informed decisions.
What type of patients do you help?
- Patients needing help understanding and navigating the system
- Patients undergoing treatment who are too ill or overwhelmed to handle all the details
- Patients who need help finding a specialist, getting a second opinion, researching treatment options
- Patients recovering from a recent hospitalization who need short term help as they recover.
- Patients and families who need help researching housing options that offer more care and services
- Out of town family who need help managing the care of an aging parent long distance.
- Patients with complex and/or serious medical diagnoses such as cancer
Can you help with aging parents?
Yes, we have a great deal of experience with seniors and elderly patients and understand their unique challenges. Our training includes completion of the CSA (Certified Senior Advisor) program that included comprehensive training regarding all financial, health and social issues facing seniors.
Do you accept commissions or placement fees from Senior Living Communities?
No, ReAssured Advocacy does not receive or accept commissions from any outside product or service providers including senior living communities. We work for you. This is part of our Code of Conduct and Professional Standards. This means that we research all available options for each client regardless of the community paying a commission or not.
Do you attend appointments with patients?
We are happy to attend appointments with you or a family member. We will also work with you to prepare a list of questions and concerns before each appointment to address with your doctor. If you’d like, we will send a summary of the appointment and the next steps to family or loved ones.
Do you provide transportation?
We are able to arrange transportation for all abilities. When requested, we will meet the client being transported for the medical appointment.
What if my parent or loved one has to go to the Emergency Room before I can get to town?
We are available to accompany or meet a patient at a Denver Metro Area Hospital. We will reassure your parent or loved one and act as your eyes and ears until you arrive. We will ask questions, take notes and communicate with you or others regarding your loved ones status and any decisions that need to be made.
Do I have to sign a lengthy contract? What if I only need help for a short time?
We work with each client on an individual basis and never charge for work we don’t do. We don’t require a minimum number of hours. Each client’s needs are different and we will work with you to determine what best meets your needs. We also understand that situations change and more or less help may be needed. We will provide a written estimate for your approval prior to providing services.
What if my family member needs help outside regular hours?
One of the benefits of working with a private patient advocate is that we are not just available 9-5. We work for you and are available evenings and weekends as well.
The bills and insurance paperwork are overwhelming. Can you help make sure my insurance is paying the correct amount?
We have over 27 years experience with insurance and managed care. We can review your bills and make sure you are receiving the maximum reimbursement as well as making sure hospital bills are accurate. We can also file appeals for claims that are denied.
Can you help patients and families who have a serious disease?
We understand that serious diagnoses often come with increased needs because the patient may be too overwhelmed, tired, or ill to make appointments, handle bills, research treatment options or do things for themselves. We are able to assist with anything you are unable to do so you can focus on healing.
Do you help people who have recently been discharged from a hospital as they recover?
Many people need short-term help after a surgery or serious medical event. We are happy to provide help for as little or long as needed.
My parents may need to move to an assisted living facility or retirement community. Can you help research and evaluate our options?
We will research the available options based on what your parents need and want and present you with a detailed comparison. We will personally visit and tour facilities to make sure you have the information you need to make an informed decision.
My parents can no longer stay in their home. We found a retirement community close to our home. Where do we start in terms of moving them?
It is unsettling and stressful to move from your home. We have experience facilitating these transitions and coordinating the details so as to minimize the disruption to your loved one. We even help with finding local services such as barbers, pharmacies, banks, and grocery stores to help your parent settle into their new community.
