I can only speak to insurance as an advocate who is not a clinician as well. Insurance companies do not list patient advocate as a position so you have to find the closest thing to what your daily duties are as an advocate.
For me that was «secretarial services» because I only do virtual work, never see clients in person, never drive them, never have them come to my home, and never got to hospital. If you do these things or are a clinician as well then your category would be different.
Some use «health consultant» but that does not really speak to what advocates do because we are not consulting with hospitals and doctors. (This will also greatly increase the price.)
I had a tough time at first and asked my local SBDC's insurance broker consultant about this and she was the one that recommended that designation after I described what I did.
I got my insurance through BiBerk and pay a little over $700 for the year for both Professional and General liability.
Hello! I'm Victoria, a BCPA located in Los Angeles, CA. I focus on advocacy for individuals and families navigating complex chronic illness, rare disease, or undiagnosed conditions through my company Chronically Advocating.
I know a lot about California health insurance regulation and laws, as well as still always learning about ERISA and federal laws. I specialize in commercial insurance. So if you have any questions, ask away!
I bring my personal experience navigating the healthcare system due to my own multiple chronic illnesses and rare diseases. In addition to my one-on-one advocacy, I serve on the Advocacy Committee for the Spondylitis Association of America, the California Advocacy Team at the U.S. Pain Foundation, and the California State Advocacy Committee for the Arthritis Foundation. I sit on the board of G-PACT and co-lead the only monthly gastroparesis support group. I also am a Merit Reviewer with PCORI and am part of the NIH HEAL T90/R90 Lived Experience Advisory Group, bringing the patient voice into clinical research.
For me that was «secretarial services» because I only do virtual work, never see clients in person, never drive them, never have them come to my home, and never got to hospital. If you do these things or are a clinician as well then your category would be different.
Some use «health consultant» but that does not really speak to what advocates do because we are not consulting with hospitals and doctors. (This will also greatly increase the price.)
I had a tough time at first and asked my local SBDC's insurance broker consultant about this and she was the one that recommended that designation after I described what I did.
I got my insurance through BiBerk and pay a little over $700 for the year for both Professional and General liability.
I know a lot about California health insurance regulation and laws, as well as still always learning about ERISA and federal laws. I specialize in commercial insurance. So if you have any questions, ask away!
I bring my personal experience navigating the healthcare system due to my own multiple chronic illnesses and rare diseases. In addition to my one-on-one advocacy, I serve on the Advocacy Committee for the Spondylitis Association of America, the California Advocacy Team at the U.S. Pain Foundation, and the California State Advocacy Committee for the Arthritis Foundation. I sit on the board of G-PACT and co-lead the only monthly gastroparesis support group. I also am a Merit Reviewer with PCORI and am part of the NIH HEAL T90/R90 Lived Experience Advisory Group, bringing the patient voice into clinical research.
Always happy to connect with other advocates.
www.chronicallyadvocating.com
victoria@chronicallyadvocating.com
Instagram, Facebook, TikTok: @victoriakillianofficial
YouTube: @victoriakillian
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/victoriakillian