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 diagnosed in women. In the U.S.,1 of...
Knowing When to Change a Medicare Advantage Plan
If you hire a patient advocate they will want to know what insurance you have and help you take advantage of all the features available that might help you in your situation or help you find insurance that is a better fit. Reasons to change your...
Getting Around Insurance Coverage Roadblocks
It’s complicated and it can be frustrating. Fortunately, as these examples and suggestions illustrate, there are many things you can do to gain control and reduce worry. Consider these three recent client examples… #1. Mr. Smith He has significant...
Rare Disorder or Misdiagnosed? How an Independent Patient Advocate Can Help
Perhaps you are given a diagnosis that just doesn’t seem right for you. Perhaps your symptoms don’t add up to what your healthcare provider told you. Or...maybe you were diagnosed with a rare disease and not offered much in the form of treatment...
Chronic Conditions: Can you avoid them? Part 3 in a series.
This is part 3 in a series of blogs related to chronic illness. The names have been changed but the stories are real. Did you know you can have a chronic disease but have no symptoms? We react to the obvious warning signs and symptoms (like a...
Denied by Insurance?
Has your insurance company ever denied any of your claims? Have you received medical bills stating that you are responsible for the full cost of services rendered? Have you ever been told after receiving medical care, imaging, or lab work that it...
They Lost Me At Algorithms
Search Engine Optimization (SEO), is a fancy name for using internet tools to increase presence on the web in order to drive business sales. When someone searches in Google or Bing looking for a product or service I sell or a business like mine...
Chronic Illness: Can You Avoid It?
This is part 2 in a series of blogs related to chronic illness. The names have been changed but the stories are real. Meet Connie, a 62-year-old who is considered "hip" as she dresses in the latest trends. She never leaves the house without her...
The Conundrum of Silence in Healthcare
Imagine this scenario. You are an operating room nurse and your patient’s surgery is finished. You and the team, including the surgeon, the anesthesiologist, and a surgical technician/scrub nurse are getting ready to move the patient from the...
Marina To The Rescue: An Open Letter Of Appreciation
Guest Blog: Submitted by Brian Dema, SanFrancisco, CA From the Editor: This blog is an actual letter written by an appreciative client about a very deserving advocate, GNA legacy member, Marina Emery. GNA is publishing this letter in its entirety...
Chronic Illness: Can You Avoid It?
This is Part 1 in series of client stories. The names have been changed but the stories are real. Sometimes subtle symptoms may be a warning that something is heading in the wrong direction. You may feel some vague symptoms, such as fatigue and...
The Case For An Independent Cancer Care Advisor
How does one plan and prepare for the aftermath of a cancer diagnosis? Aside from doing your best to live a healthy lifestyle and retain adequate health insurance, few options exist. Whether you are a patient or a caregiver, the stresses brought...
What's Your "Plan B?"
As I continue to look for silver linings during this challenging time, I find myself grateful for the pleasure of working with several clients who are not in crisis — but who are thinking ahead and planning. All of these clients are caregivers...
Hospice Volunteers: Still Under the Radar
I recently submitted a case review for a patient I cared for as a hospice volunteer. The publisher asked me the following question that gave me pause: “Is it usual to have a hospice volunteer, or was that an exception?” I wondered how it was that...
Is it Okay to Change Oncologists?
The short answer; ABSOLUTELY! A cancer diagnosis hits patients and loved ones like a brick. Most often you are unfamiliar with the ins and outs of the diagnosis, especially initially. Cancer management is time-sensitive and you may feel rushed to...