If you have a healthcare advocate in your family or group of friends, congratulations! You will receive higher quality care, and better understand what's happening when you fall ill. For those of you who don't have someone to help navigate the healthcare system, there are options!
The use of healthcare advocates has been on the rise over the last few years and is recommended for higher quality care by the US Department of Health and Human Services, as well as The Assertive Patient Foundation. Patient advocates provide a multitude of very much needed services for young and old alike. The best Advocates are experienced healthcare workers who:
- promote patients' rights
- watch over care as it is received and have the qualifications and experience to do so
- provide informed guidance on how the healthcare system works and navigate it
- help with medication management
- help navigate financial assistance
Where can you find a healthcare advocate?
- Hospitals employ them to assist patients under their care and help resolve complaints. They are free, but since they are employed by the hospital, are not truly independent.
- Non-profit advocates are state and federally-funded and frequently focus on a specific condition or disease. A Google search will provide options.
- For-profit advocates are either provided by an employer at no cost to you, or can be contracted directly.
- Independent advocates work closely with patients to ensure appropriate care across all healthcare providers and even can be involved in advance directives.
Recommendation: A particularly progressive local company is Care Navigators from Algonquin, IL. They provide all of the above and also a Life Care Plan, a customized, written recommendation for personal care based on your unique set of circumstances and health needs. The plan even includes community resources, facilities, communities and in-home support recommendations.
If you need a free consultation by Care Navigators, call 847-250-1829.