Lauren Wheeler
BCPA, MD
Lost Coast Advocacy
Lauren Wheeler
BCPA, MD
Lost Coast Advocacy
Advocate Location
Eureka , CA 95501
Specialty
Medical Guidance
TeleAdvocacy Available
Offers FREE Initial Consultation
*Greater National Advocates Terms of Use Apply
How I Can Help
I focus on helping people feel "found" within their health and healthcare needs. I help you (or your loved one) figure out what you need to make the next right decision for your health.
Because no two people are alike, my service offerings are flexible. Frequently, I help people with medical research needs, medical record projects, drafting letters, rare disease navigation, mystery diagnoses, communicating with doctors (getting your doctors to listen to you), and finding the right specialist, office or resource for your needs.
Many of my clients value my supportive listening skills and talking with someone who "gets it" when most of their friends and family don't have a lot of experience with the medical system. Some prefer a shorter, more focused approach for a particular project.
My main focus is clinical navigation (finding the care team you need, then getting them to work together). I occasionally help people find ways to deal with hospital bills, annoying insurance companies, high drug/insurance prices, employers, and finding money for medical travel, equipment, adaptations, or caregiving. As a rural advocate, I often help people figure out how to get what they need in small and isolated communities. I've designed my practice to help get you out of whatever crises you are in and prevent the next one (as much as possible). I love collaborative problem solving!
My advocacy style tends to mesh the best with working-age adults (18-64), including couples and parents who are seeking an advocate for their child's care. I do occasionally work with seniors or teens, and I'm open to hearing from anyone with an unmet medical need.
Because of my medical school background, I'm well equipped to handle a variety of complex and interconnected conditions. (I studied under a pediatric endocrinologist, general surgeons, obstetricians, gynecologists, pediatric intensivists, psychiatrists, dermatologists, neurologists, pain management docs, palliative care, hospice, infectious disease (especially HIV), sports medicine, ENT, REI, and wound care experts in addition to my family medicine training).
Additionally, what I don't already know, I am generally happy to learn (on my own time) to get myself up to the level of baseline competence you need for a medically informed advocacy experience. That includes information about your diagnoses (or potential ones), religious beliefs, cultural background, accessibility needs, and so on.
Because no two people are alike, my service offerings are flexible. Frequently, I help people with medical research needs, medical record projects, drafting letters, rare disease navigation, mystery diagnoses, communicating with doctors (getting your doctors to listen to you), and finding the right specialist, office or resource for your needs.
Many of my clients value my supportive listening skills and talking with someone who "gets it" when most of their friends and family don't have a lot of experience with the medical system. Some prefer a shorter, more focused approach for a particular project.
My main focus is clinical navigation (finding the care team you need, then getting them to work together). I occasionally help people find ways to deal with hospital bills, annoying insurance companies, high drug/insurance prices, employers, and finding money for medical travel, equipment, adaptations, or caregiving. As a rural advocate, I often help people figure out how to get what they need in small and isolated communities. I've designed my practice to help get you out of whatever crises you are in and prevent the next one (as much as possible). I love collaborative problem solving!
My advocacy style tends to mesh the best with working-age adults (18-64), including couples and parents who are seeking an advocate for their child's care. I do occasionally work with seniors or teens, and I'm open to hearing from anyone with an unmet medical need.
Because of my medical school background, I'm well equipped to handle a variety of complex and interconnected conditions. (I studied under a pediatric endocrinologist, general surgeons, obstetricians, gynecologists, pediatric intensivists, psychiatrists, dermatologists, neurologists, pain management docs, palliative care, hospice, infectious disease (especially HIV), sports medicine, ENT, REI, and wound care experts in addition to my family medicine training).
Additionally, what I don't already know, I am generally happy to learn (on my own time) to get myself up to the level of baseline competence you need for a medically informed advocacy experience. That includes information about your diagnoses (or potential ones), religious beliefs, cultural background, accessibility needs, and so on.
Important Information About Me
- I offer a FREE Initial Consultation
- I offer TeleAdvocacy Service
- I am insured
- My geographical area of practice is Humboldt County, California, Nationwide
Why I Became A Professional Health Care Advocate
After earning my MD, I entered a family medicine residency, but left early to pursue medical writing. After 5 years of medical research/writing experience, I missed caring for people directly and helping them solve the healthcare problems they couldn't fix on their own. I took a comprehensive patient advocacy course and completed the board certification exam, and I've worked with advocacy clients for 4+ years now. I am confident I can help you and your loved ones with whatever challenges you face.
I've helped advocacy clients with EDS, MCAS, epilepsy, migraines, Tarlov cysts, arachnoiditis, FND, paralysis, and POTS, (not all at once) as well as those with heart disease, CHF, diabetes, and arthritis. I have some experience getting compounded medications approved by insurance due to allergy and/or MCAS. I've worked on special projects around congenital hand differences, wrist and hand surgery/injury/rehabilitation, and chronic kidney disease (CKD), including diet-based treatment as a medical writer/editor. I used my medical training and access to learn much more about GI, rheumatology, pulmonology, facial pain, and allergy/immunology to support several family members.
I especially love working with clients who deal with discrimination because of race, gender, gender identity, orientation, religion, disability, body size, and/or any other stupid reason. Healthcare is hard enough with that layer; let me help ease some of those burdens.
I've helped advocacy clients with EDS, MCAS, epilepsy, migraines, Tarlov cysts, arachnoiditis, FND, paralysis, and POTS, (not all at once) as well as those with heart disease, CHF, diabetes, and arthritis. I have some experience getting compounded medications approved by insurance due to allergy and/or MCAS. I've worked on special projects around congenital hand differences, wrist and hand surgery/injury/rehabilitation, and chronic kidney disease (CKD), including diet-based treatment as a medical writer/editor. I used my medical training and access to learn much more about GI, rheumatology, pulmonology, facial pain, and allergy/immunology to support several family members.
I especially love working with clients who deal with discrimination because of race, gender, gender identity, orientation, religion, disability, body size, and/or any other stupid reason. Healthcare is hard enough with that layer; let me help ease some of those burdens.
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