Greater National Advocates Blog

Tried to get an appointment with a specialist and got denied? Now what? Unfortunately, as a private patient advocate, I have heard this story all too often. You research and find a doctor that specializes in your condition, then you try to make an...

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month. The American Cancer Association reports that aside from skin cancer, breast cancer is the most common cancer in American women. In 2020, over 325,000 new cases of breast cancer in the US are expected to be...

My client, Patty, reached out last spring with grave concerns about her 75-year-old sister, Caryn, who was living independently in Pennsylvania and who was exhibiting significant short-term memory issues. Patty was initially confounded about where...

You wouldn't want your babysitter to be distracted, frustrated, or inattentive while watching your children, would you? That's why it's important to think about choosing a physician the same way you would choose a babysitter or nanny for your...

When you have an appointment with a new healthcare provider, be sure to bring your Health History with you. Bring a list of each medication you are on and their doses or the containers for each medication you are on, including any over-the-counter...

It is disturbing to learn how much ambivalence there is about the amount of chemicals and toxins that are absorbed through the skin and into our bodies from commonly used household and personal care products and cosmetics as well as exposure to...

When advocating for my parents, I frequently come across a few issues with air travel. From ordering a wheelchair to going through security, I have learned to be as prepared as possible for unexpected hurdles. Preparing a to-do and reading...

When you are a patient in the health care setting it is important for you to realize that the members of your health care team have your best interests at heart. Your absolute safety and security is the ultimate goal of all patient care and the...

Safety in the home is such a broad topic. Everything from fall risks to having operational locks on doors and windows, proper lighting, medication management, proper cooking, storage of food, and more. These non-medical items keep you safe and...

This is an actual letter sent to an urgent care facility. I believe that if we all sent letters that consisted of constructive comments to help improve care, maybe one day, these "little" issues will be improved enough so care will be improved...

I was sitting with a patient who was still groggy after surgery when the doctor said he would send her home with pain medication. The patient said “ok”. I asked the doctor if the pain medication was an opioid and he said it was. I knew the patient...

As an independent healthcare advocate what do I hear most often from new clients and families? “Thank you, I feel better already just knowing someone is on my side.” By the time a potential client reaches out to us they are usually at their wits...

The series “Breaking Bad” kept TV audiences (including myself) enthralled with all the twists and turns—all fueled by the main character, Walter White, being diagnosed with terminal cancer that supposedly was only treatable...

Don’t quit on my client. It may be emotionally healthy for a patient or the patient’s family to accept the diagnosis of a life-altering chronic disease. But from my perspective as a patient advocate, it is never healthy for a doctor to tell a...

So you or your loved just received a medical bill from a doctor or facility that you recently visited. Your first inclination may be to assume that your insurance was billed, paid their portion, and now you are being billed for your part of the...