Why The TakeCHARGE Campaign Is So Important
I’m a nurse, turned patient safety advocate. And I want to let you in on one of the best-kept secrets many of us in this field have learned as we help patients navigate our complex healthcare system. But before I do that, I want to introduce you...
Health Spending Accounts: Alphabet Soup Simplified
What is the alphabet soup of health spending accounts? There are FSA’s, HRA’s, and HSA’s. What are they? Which one do you have and which one do you need? Today we are going to simplify these accounts to better understand each one and which one you...
Why Should TakeCHARGE Matter to Patient Advocates
The TakeCharge Campaign is a public awareness campaign that has significant potential to improve patient outcomes by encouraging people to become active participants in their healthcare by following these 5 Steps. Now, in it's second year, The...
Symptoms of Vocal Hoarseness Led to a Complexity of Problems and Treatments.
Do you want your medical situation to choose you? If you ignore signs and symptoms, you may find that is the case.I want to share a story about someone who didn't know he had an issue. A client of mine told me they ignored their persistent...
Silver Linings During COVID-19
The COVID-19 pandemic has given me a gift this winter: spending more time with my parents. We decided they would stay in Rhode Island, rather than spending the October-May timeframe in Florida, as they usually do. Having my parents nearby this...
What is a Board Certified Patient Advocate? And why do you need one?...
Many people are not yet familiar with a patient advocate, let alone a board-certified patient advocate. In addition, you may have heard of hospitals or insurance companies offering a patient advocate. So what’s the difference? And why do you need...
COVID Vaccine? Help!
What to do? Is it Right for you? Yes, Please! The emergence of the COVID-19 vaccine comes with a lot of mixed emotions. Some view it as a cure to this long pandemic-driven quarantine and the first step toward some sense of normality, with hopes to...
What We Do and How To Find Us: Because Every Patient Needs an Advocate
As I was reading my Facebook page, I saw a post from a friend that said: “I won’t be able to get my MRI until the end of next week. I’m pissed.” This message alerted me to call a friend who needed a Patient Advocate. Here's a real-life example of...
Stay On Top of Your Coverage: Tips For 2021
While working with clients who are newly enrolled in Medicare or accessing health insurance via the Open Market and/or from employers, we identified common themes in the advice we offer. I share those themes below, in the hope that it will get...
How Should You Die When You’ve Had Enough of Life?
Imagine you have a terminal illness and your life expectancy is 6 months. How about a terminal diagnosis where you could expect to live for another five, ten or, more years? Many chronic diseases, such as COPD, Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS...
Ways To Save On Medical Bills
For most Americans, healthcare is a top personal and financial priority. Unfortunately, provider billing mistakes combined with the skyrocketing cost of healthcare services, health insurance premiums, and prescription drugs can create real...
Bring the Humanity Back to Healthcare
"Objectification of people is the heritage of the professionalization of helping relationships. […] When we treat others as objects, even for benevolent reasons, we rob them of their humanity. […] Benevolence without respect is...
Rare Disease Advocacy: The Case For Early Intervention
As parents we all want the best of everything for our children. The best opportunities for education, happiness, and of course, health. But what do you do when you have a child born with a rare genetic disease with no clinical pathway for...
Too Many Pills: The Patient Advocacy Perspective
I have been a Registered Nurse for many years, and an Aging LIfe Care Professional, also known as a geriatric care manager or senior care advocate, for the past 7 years. As a nurse I have always thought of myself as a Patient Advocate, especially...
Don’t Go It Alone: Contact a Nurse Advocate
Gone are the days of anyone, let alone an aging parent, placing a quick call to his/her doctor when not feeling well or needing a quick question answered. Healthcare is increasingly difficult to manage and places high demands on time and energy...