Entrepreneur Hub General

I use Carepaton. I just started my business and found it very easy to use. It does have a BAA and the client does not need an account to sign the documents I send them. I pay $50 a month. It has an AI script and many templates to use for your notes. Hope this helps!

I am looking forward to the upcoming lecture. I have a few questions and thoughts regarding the discussions around AI regulation.

When people advocate for limits on AI, are they primarily protecting society, or could these restrictions inadvertently limit access to a technology that could benefit everyone?

In my experience working with Aphaia, AI served as a tool to help express my own thoughts rather than generating opinions or ideas for me. With my background and education, I view AI as a platform to assist communication while still actively challenging and shaping the content myself.

I look forward to hearing your perspective on these points during the session.

Hi Annie

I am a former SLP and now advocate. Have a good bit of experience with Parkinson’s patients. If you have questions feel free to reach out
Have you checked your local Parkinson’s organizations? I’m sure you have as you helped your mom

Kind regards
Angie Galatas
Medical Advocacy Plus

Hello Annie:

What are you looking for in terms of a mentor?

My background is close to 10 years (1/2027 will be 10) as a registered nurse who, from that perspective, has always advocated for my patients, and I do have experience with loved ones who have Parkinson's Disease as well as Progressive supranuclear palsy (PSP) and related neuromuscular and neurodegenerative diseases.

I'm relatively new as an independent patient advocate and have my BCPA exam scheduled for Saturday, 10/10.

I've written the following articles that may be helpful:

* compassioncrossing.info/how-to-identify-end-stage-parkinsons-for-hospice-admission/

* compassioncrossing.info/understanding-parkinsons-disease-a-guide-for-families/

* compassioncrossing.info/parkinsons-vs-alzheimers-key-differences-explained/

* compassioncrossing.info/navigating-parkinsons-disease-a-compassionate-guide-to-advance-care-planning-palliative-care-and-hospice-support/

Please do know that my personal business — Compassion Crossing, LLC — at compassioncrossing.info/ covers more than advocacy, and since I don't accept insurance, it is very sporadic for me to obtain clients. Most of my clients to date have been seeking help with value-based advance care planning (which is very different from the traditional method), and I just started working as a 1099 healthcare advocate for Solace Health.

HIPAA and personal privacy always matter, so I'm not sure how mentorship would work.

Please let me know if you have any questions.

Thank you.

I am new as well to Advocacy but 40 years previous business knowledge. That is I owned my own place during that time. It would be easier for you to just call me at 513-673-6987

D. John Bishop

Hello everyone, I’m Dr. Tabu Terrell, a retired emergency physician and the founder of HealthStrategix, an independent patient advocacy practice based in Fort Mill, South Carolina, just outside Charlotte. I practiced emergency medicine for 14 years and was board certified in the specialty for two decades. Long before I started HealthStrategix, I was the person friends and family called when a diagnosis or treatment plan didn’t make sense to them.

My focus is the difficult middle stretch of an illness: when specialists give conflicting opinions, when a family is facing a hard treatment decision, or when care has become complicated enough that nobody seems to be looking at the whole picture. I help patients and families understand what they’re hearing from their doctors, prepare for appointments, and choose a path that fits their goals. HealthStrategix is direct-pay and independent of hospitals and insurers. I meet with clients in person in Fort Mill and virtually.

I’d love to connect with advocates who focus on billing, insurance appeals, or care coordination, since those clients often need clinical interpretation too, and I’m happy to trade referrals. My site is www.gethealthstrategix.com. Glad to be here!

Greetings! I am so glad to have found this group! My advocate journey started with my mom, and her diagnosis with kidney cancer....and now I am the co-founder of a company that has build an app that helps you skip the phone trees and get your medical calls done quicker. So much more work to do. WE are based in San Jose CA (yes, another Silicon Valley start up). WE are eager to figure out how to help patients be able to navigate the healthcare system, and this group is our jam. Thank you for having me! And, I just noticed an AI seminar on October 6th. This site is great!

Hello everyone. My name is Shanequa. I'm reside in NC. I primarily work with complex patients. I'm looking forward to learning from you all.

I am in Cincinnati Ohio

Where are you located?

Thanks for sharing! And welcome to this space for fellow patient advocates!

This is an awesome background story behind your reason for advocacy

Kim this is a great idea. Although I am not a social worker, I would love to join!

Hi Kim, I would love to join. Please add me to the event list. I look forward to talking soon! — Lauren

This is such a thoughtful and meaningful topic, Kim. You really made me reflect!

I’m not a social work advocate, but I truly enjoy learning from different perspectives and experiences. I’ll work on my list over the next three weeks so I can be ready for your roundtable.

Looking forward to it!

Casandera,
Thank you SOOO much for sharing this!

If you don't mind, I'd love to add a few thoughts…

1. If a newer advocate is looking to get out of their comfort zone, to learn types of things clients ask and to connect with other advocates, please contact me about volunteering with GNA's Advocacy Support Center («ASC»). We aren't a live hotline, but advocates are talking to real clients in need, helping to route them to the best resources.

2. If any advocate ever has a case they need help finding other advocates to consult, to contract under, or to make a warm handoff — again the ASC is here for you. POSTS LIKE THIS ARE IDEAL — and also, you're very welcome to ask our team to do a deep dive search of our directory and look for advocates who have the knowledge you're seeking.

Hav a GREAT day and thanks again for posting!

AI won’t replace patient advocates. But advocates who use AI will replace those who don’t. You don't need to become a tech genius, you just need to know how to use these tools securely, ethically, and efficiently to protect your time and your practice.

My course, «AI? Piece of Cake,» is built specifically for our profession with zero fluff and straight-to-the-point workflows. Bonus: it earns you 2.0 JEDI CE credits. You'll also qualify for Sonoran Wayfinders' digital badge, Responsible AI Advocate.

Renae, thanks so much for sharing this informative pst. I hope others will ask questions or share what's working for them!

Hello,
First allow me to preface that I am not giving legal advice — that is for attorneys only. But I have a healthy background in the legal system and my belief is that you can be deposed...period. You do not have doctor/patient protection, clergy/congregant protection or attorney/client protection.

Here's what I would do, if it were me and I truly believed the client and I are a good fit: Find a good attorney to represent you (not your prospective client) and ask them to advise you if a «Non-Disclosure Agreement» (NDA) could be executed between you and the prospective client such that you would have the ability to refuse to answer any questions posed in a deposition based on the NDA. You would still have to appear if you get a subpoena (and they «should» provide a stipend for your trouble if you have to travel over a certain number of miles...at least that's the case in my State).

So, bottom-line is — ask an attorney and go from there.

Best wishes. Let me know how this turns out for your.

Val Barschaw
Author/Speaker/Advocate… and former Superior Court Clerk

7 years

great question! thanks for sharing it.

Lisa, I fully agree with your perspective and appreciate you raising this important issue. As one of the “old-timers” in patient advocacy for over 12 years, I continue to work on a limited, highly selective basis, guided by an approach that prioritizes time, trust, and personal connection.

My core philosophy remains unchanged: to be a true champion for patients and their families as they navigate an increasingly complex healthcare system. Many who need advocacy simply cannot access it due to cost. For me, the greatest reward has always been human, not financial, and I do everything I can to work with Medicare clients and expand access for those who might otherwise go without support.

I also believe our services should not be excessive. I can not relate to fees of even 200.00 or more. At the same time, I respect advocates for whom this is their primary profession—they must charge fair, realistic, and justifiable rates.

I am encouraged that Umbra is helping create pathways for Medicare reimbursement. While modest, it represents an important step forward—one we should all support.

I agree Lisa, it's getting uglier indeed.

I had to Etch-a-Sketch my business model almost immediatly when I opened my independent advocacy practice. My LLC was formed in February 2020 and the world closed down in March due to Covid. But the changes I made allowed me to serve clients all over the USA remotely. Over the years my business has evolved. The unforseen changes I had to implement early, have benefited throughout the years. Being able to adapt to client's needs is something I continue with to this day.

Hi Lisa! Such a great post — thank you for sparking this conversation. When I built the documents and workflow for my practice, I found myself asking the same questions: Who is my patient population? What can I help with? Who are my partners?

The more I explored advocacy, the more I realized how broad our work truly is. We can support almost anyone, in so many different situations, and I worried that defining my services too narrowly might limit how clients see their own needs.

That’s why I offer a short, free consultation. It gives me space to ask questions clients may not think to ask, listen to their concerns, and highlight support they may not realize an advocate can provide. That brief conversation often brings clarity for both of us.

The first thing you would need to be able to answer is why that would benefit the law firm? If you can see a clear path how your service helps them — then you have a potential opportunity.

If you have a know someone who works at a law firm you want to approach, take them to coffee or lunch and ask what the firm needs most? Listen to what pain points they have that you can help fix and begin there.

Having worked in law firms, I tried to imagine what would happen if someone come into the office seeking referrals. The only thing I could envision is if you have a professional brochure of your services (you know the kind you can put in a little display) that you may be able to set that in a waiting room area where one of their clients may pick it up and reach out to you. But only after you have shown the firm — it will help the firm.

Many lawyers are hesitant to make referrals...period. (But they love receiving them.)

Not meaning to sound negative, but until you can show them how you can help them, there is little reason to have a relationship.

A good relationship will lead to good referrals. Best wishes.

Andrew, this is a GREAT question! I'm hoping our members will jump in and share some insights.