Independent Advocacy in Action: Why Our Work Matters and Why Healthcare Pushback Won’t Stop Us
Independent patient advocates step into the healthcare system with one purpose: to protect the patient’s rights, voice, and well‑being. We are not employed by hospitals, clinics, or insurance companies — and that independence is...
Help! Is Anyone Listening? Feeling Stuck With Your Condition
Help! Is Anyone Listening? Feeling Stuck With Your Condition There comes a moment for many patients when the question isn’t just “What’s wrong with me?”, it’s “Is anyone actually listening?” You’ve...
Never Again: Lessons from the Holocaust for Patient Advocates
Learning how the Holocaust unfolded helps us recognize warning signs, protect the dignity of others, and embrace our shared responsibility to care for one another and speak out so history’s pain is not repeated Every day, patient advocates...
🔎 Kidney Health Made CLEAR™: How to Protect Your Kidneys Before It’s Too Late
March is National Kidney Month — and a perfect time to take a closer look at what your kidneys do for you every single day, and how you can be a more informed, empowered patient in protecting them. As women over 50, we carry a lot. We...
Was Your Insurance Denial Made by AI? A Practical Checklist
The appeals process is not a formality. It is a genuine second review — and insurers are counting on most people won’t use it. The actual humans working at insurance companies have been denying well-supported claims for decades. It's...
What Amputees Deserve - and Should Expect - From an Advocate
Advocacy can play an important role in life after amputation. Some amputees hire an advocate. Others may have one provided through insurance or a healthcare system. However, an important question is rarely discussed: Who is the advocate truly...
Rethinking Safety: An Ethical Shift in Aging Decisions
Summary When families begin making assisted living decisions or increased support for aging parents, the conversation usually centers on one question: “Is it safe?” Safety matters — but when it becomes the only standard, autonomy...
How to Prepare for Medical Travel: A Patient’s Checklist for Out-of-State or International Care
How to Prepare for Medical Travel: A Patient’s Checklist for Out-of-State or International Care Deciding to travel for medical care is a big step. Whether you’re seeking a specialist in another state, exploring treatment options in...
When to Look Afar: When Should You Seek Out-of-State or Out-of-Country Medical Care?
When to Look Afar: When Should You Seek Out-of-State or Out-of-Country Medical Care? Most patients begin their healthcare journey close to home. Local providers are convenient, familiar, and often the first step toward diagnosis and treatment. But...
Painful Consequences of an Unverified “Do Everything” Order
“Choices are the hinges of destiny.” Pythagoras The following blog explores the consequences when careful End-of-Life (EOL) planning goes awry, even when you or your representatives assume you have done everything right. ...
Why Telemedicine Is Your Friend: Faster Access, Better Care, and Stronger Patient Advocacy
Why Telemedicine Is Your Friend: Faster Access, Better Care, and Stronger Patient Advocacy For many patients, accessing healthcare can feel like an obstacle course. Long wait times, confusing systems, rushed appointments, time off work...
What Are We Doing About Medical Errors?
What Are We Doing About Medical Errors? Most people don’t think about medical errors until something happens to them or someone they love. One moment you trust that everything is moving forward safely and the next, you’re left...
The "Harmless" Cold Remedy That Almost Cost Everything: A Patient Advocate's Wake-Up Call Why the "small" medication decisions mat
After 35 years as a patient advocate for my husband Bill, a heart transplant recipient, I thought I had seen it all. Ten years navigating the pre-transplant journey, 25 years post-transplant, countless hospitalizations, medication adjustments, and...
What’s New With Private Patient Advocacy?
What’s New With Private Patient Advocacy? Healthcare is evolving quickly, and so is the role of private patient advocacy. As medical care becomes more specialized and complex, many patients and families are realizing that navigating the...
Updates in Cholangiocarcinoma
Updates in Cholangiocarcinoma: What Patients and Families Should Know Cholangiocarcinoma is more than just a diagnosis to me, it is deeply personal. My brother and best friend faced cholangiocarcinoma, and I had the privilege of supporting him...