Types of Health Advocacy Services
When you are overwhelmed with a diagnosis or a lack of one, are facing surgery or long-term treatment or are not sure of your medical expenses and your insurance options, it is time to call a Health Advocate.
Health Advocates assist patients with a number of different things, including medical, eldercare, insurance, legal and administrative areas regarding their long-term or acute care needs. Here is a more comprehensive list of the types of services Health Advocates provide.
Health Advocates assist patients with a number of different things, including medical, eldercare, insurance, legal and administrative areas regarding their long-term or acute care needs. Here is a more comprehensive list of the types of services Health Advocates provide.
Medical / Navigational
Typically includes interacting with healthcare professionals, attending appointments, medical translation, appointment setting and coordination, asserting client's patient rights, communication, identification of medical/health resources, etc.
- Help patients understand their diagnosis and learn more about their condition
- Translate complicated medical information for family members
- Research treatment options
- Coordinate care between various physicians
- Provide regular contact with patient to evaluate condition and advocate for appropriate care with providers
- Assist with transitions including hospital admissions, stay and discharge; transfer to another facility, care center or home
- Coordinate outpatient care
- Help with understanding and managing chronic disease
- Establish contact with Social Service Programs and Eldercare
- Act as liaison between patient and with providers regarding wishes for hospice
- Referrals to appropriate resources as needed
- Assist with communications with providers, family members at client’s patient’s direction
Billing & Claims
Review of medical billing and charges to ensure accuracy in billing.
- Seek billing reduction and/or negotiation
- Resolve billing errors
Health Insurance
- Identify sources of coverage for people without insurance
- Confirm and decipher coverage for those with insurance coverage, including
- Medical Benefits
- Pharmacy Benefits
- Vision Benefits
- Medicare Benefits and Supplements
- Home Health and Rehabilitation Coverage
- Social Security
- Veterans Benefits
- Explain patient costs such as co-pays and coinsurance
- Facilitate research for appropriate in-network providers and clarify out-of-network options and costs
- Advise on denials and appeals processes
- Help with choosing health plans, Long Term Care plan or COBRA (continuation of benefits)
- Investigate additional benefits available such as private or employer-provided disability or long-term care insurance
- Exploring appropriate Wellness benefits:
- Preventive Care
- Alternative Care
- Member Discounts
- Use of Advice Lines
- Hearing Aids and Screening
Transitions / Housing Placement
- Transitions in/out of hospital, assisted living, skilled nursing, nursing home, adult family home, or other placement, including home with or without care
older adult services
- Housing
- Home care or support
- Transport
- Meals/nutrition
- Treatment plan assistance i.e. medications, lifestyle changes
- Financial
Legal Advocacy / Mediation
Working with clients on a variety of legal issues.
- Working for client with hospital or medical institution when client has received poor care
- Worker’s compensation
- Disability filings
- Malpractice and medical error review
- Assist with Health Care Directives, Power of Attorney or Guardianship
Mental / Behavioral Health & Social Work
- Managing stressful, serious, and/or chronic health conditions
- Issues related to controlled substances
- Working with behavior health challenges that make communication difficult
End of Life / Life Care Planning
- Helping clients understand and plan for transitions and end of life
- Advanced care directives
- Burial/cremation
- Hospice services
Pain Management / Palliative Care
Helping clients ensure that their pain is managed appropriately, whether short-term, long-term, and at the end of life.
Administrative
• Medical records transfer
• Locate and arrange healthcare provider appointments
• Arrange for or provide transportation
• Locate and arrange healthcare provider appointments
• Arrange for or provide transportation
Medical Tourism
Helping clients travel to receive health services.
Health Coaching / Prevention Services
Assisting clients in ways that further personal health goals and ensure better health outcomes through preventative measures.
Child Life
Helping children and their families with their unique circumstances.
If you work in any of these Health Advocacy professions and are interested in WASHAA Membership, Click Here.