When Your Loved One is in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU)
by Lorrie Klemons, MSN, RN, CDP, EOLD The Need for Intensive Care: Being in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) is a very scary and frightening experience...both for the patient and the family. Patients are there because they are...
Coffee, Chaos, and Caregiving: The Ultimate Balancing Act
Coffe, Chaos, and Caregiving: The Ultimate Balancing Act What You're About to Read You’re about to become someone who balances a full-time job and caregiving—and no one gives you a handbook for what that really means. You're...
From Survivor to Supporter: Explore Turning Your Lived Experiences Into Advocacy
Learn About Advocacy In today's often intricate and overwhelming healthcare landscape, an Independent Patient Advocate stands as a dedicated professional working exclusively for the patient and their loved ones. Unlike advocates employed by...
From Survivor to Supporter: A Checklist for Your Journey To Advocacy
Learn About Advocacy: What is Independent Patient Advocacy and Survivor Support? Review Greater National Advocate (GNA)'s Introduction to Survivor Support, and be sure to watch the included survivor support video. What Exactly is Independent...
How to Help Assure a Safe Hospital Discharge
I recently had a client that experienced numerous hospitalizations in a short period of time. I have been working with this client for over a year. I know her health history, I know her providers, and I know her current medications. This hospital...
Avoid Out Of Network Reimbursement Issues
It seems that insurance companies, having too much time on their hands now that AI has taken over, are placing more and more hurdles on accepting Out Of Network invoices for reimbursement, let alone paying them. Let's talk about recognizing...
"The First Client: They Are Killing My Wife."
This submission is reprinted with permission from Dr. Gerda Maissel, MD, BCPA, author of the monthly Substack blog, The Foglight. The First Client: They Are Killing My Wife On the other end of the telephone call, a grown man in his sixties was...
The Birthday Rule
Yes, it exists! and it's quite important in the healthcare system. What is it? Why should you care? Are there helpful tips? Let's explore. A. The Birthday Rule rules 1. Once a new child is added to your household (a new...
How a Medical Biller Can Play an Important Role as a Patient Advocate
A medical biller can play an important role as a patient advocate by acting as a bridge between the patient, healthcare providers, and insurance companies. Here are a few ways a medical biller can assist in advocating for a patient: Clarifying...
"Preventative" vs "Diagnostic"
Your insurance says that services you thought "preventive" or "preventative" are indeed "diagnostic". What is the difference? Why should you care? Do you truly owe your Doctor that bill? A. The Differences 1. Cost-wise By law, "Preventive...
Cholangiocarcinoma: Your Rare Cancer Isn’t So Rare to Us
Cholangiocarcinoma: Your rare cancer isn’t so rare to us World Cholangiocarcinoma Awareness Day is February 20th of each year. This type of cancer is especially dear to my heart, as my brother, and best friend, just recently...
“No, this is not all in my head!” A Lesson on Medical Gaslighting
At the request of my specialist, I'm walking down the hallway outside of the exam room. The physician is watching me walk away, turn around and walk back toward him. “I don’t see anything conclusive. You appear to have a normal...
What is "Medical Necessity"?
“Medical Necessity” affects your medical care at every level as well as your wallet. Are you aware of what it means exactly? A. CLINICAL POINT OF VIEW “Medical Necessity” is what your Doctor or medical...
"Concierge" Medicine: Is it for you?
Have you noticed the trend? the ads? the number of friends and acquaintances raving about easy, no-hassle, unlimited access to a clinician? It's called "Concierge Medicine" and it is a growing alternative to the US healthcare system, a seductive...
How a Care Manager or Independent Patient Advocate Might Have Helped Gene and Betsy Hackman
As we age, navigating the complexities of healthcare, long-term care planning, and daily wellness can become overwhelming. Could an independent patient advocate or care manager have helped Gene and Betsy Hackman? We now know that: Betsy...