What is a Personal Patient Advocate?

A patient advocate's duties and responsibilities are plentiful. They ensure a patient is taken care of from their diagnosis through their treatment, recovery, and follow-up visits. Patient advocates most commonly assist those with chronic illnesses, multiple illnesses, or life-threatening conditions.  

Duties and responsibilities include:  

 

• Setting up medical appointments and finding second opinions 

• Helping a patient find financial and legal resources

• Assisting a patient find support groups and other social support

• Negotiating medical bills and reviewing them ensure they're accurate

• Resolving disputes between patients and their insurance companies

• Resolving conflicts between patients and their health care providers

• Communicating with doctors, nurses, therapists, and insurance providers on a patient's behalf 

• Explaining things to patients, ranging from medical bills to information on a diagnosis 

• Helping patients navigate their treatment and care options 

• Keeping notes of what happens during medical visits

• Ensuring a patient's needs and wishes are met when they can't speak for themselves 

• Helping patients fill out forms and applications 

• Supporting patients' rights 

• Reading medical charts, bills, and documents