HAGOPIAN
demonstrate some experience dealing with
serious medical events. She suggests asking
for more than one reference before hir-
ing anyone, checking them all and calling
local agencies to see if they can give you a
referral.
Private Advocacy Costs
Paying for private advocacy services is not
covered by your insurance nor will it be
covered by the Affordable Care Act (ACA).
The good and bad news is your insurance
won't limit your coverage, but your wallet
will.
The cost to hire a private advocate
depends upon the types of services and
the complexity of your needs plus the
background and expertise of the person
you hire.
It is impossible to put an accurate
price tag on the cost of advocacy ser-
vices because there are so many variables.
Advocates usually charge by the hour, with
fees generally ranging from $50-$150,
although some services may range from
$300-$500. Many advocates offer packages
or bundles of services at a reduced rate,
particularly over a longer period. These
may be monthly fees.
Before you hire anyone, ask what they
charge for their services, keeping in mind
the value you'll receive. How much are you
willing to pay if you know your surgery has
a better chance for success or if the quality
of your life will improve?
ElderCare Solutions
Employees of this division of JFS serve as
geriatric managers who work with private
clients.
`A patient's data is on our computers
so that we can work as a team during an
emergency and have someone available
24/7:' says Lynn Breuer, MSW, JFS market-
ing associate and geriatric manager. "We
provide a single contact source for medi-
cal and legal documents, and insurance
information. We assist with hospitals and
doctors, advocating for the patient and
providing insight to doctors regarding
changes with the patient's physical or cog-
nitive condition. We also let families know
any medical changes that take place'
In general, always ask a patient advocate
if they have handled cases similar to yours
or your family member's. You want to trust
this advocate and be able to collaborate
with her and others involved with your
loved one's care. Previous experience work-
ing with patients with similar health issues
is a good indication of whether or not
you'll be able to develop that rapport.
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Choosing A
Patient Advocate
1. First prepare to contact and interview the names of patient advocates
on your list. Keep in mind there is no licensing, professional requirements
and no standard fees or procedures for patient advocates.
2. Ask for referrals from your own physicians and friends. Visit www.
AdvoConnection.com and check out its directory of advocates. No charge.
NAHAC (National Association of Healthcare Advocates) also has a direc-
tory.
3. Request a resume of their education and ask if they have an active
license in a medical area. It is a good idea for the advocate to have at
least a bachelor's degree in a health care field. Again, keep in mind there
is no nationally recognized credential for patient advocates. There are
some certificate programs, but those graduates are not certified in the
traditional sense. If the patient advocate you're interviewing says she is
certified, find out all the details about the certification.
4. Know exactly what their fees cover and what they charge for their
services. Services may include doing health assessments, reviewing insur-
ance and bills, or researching a disease. If the advocate charges by the
hour, you need to know how long the service will take to do the job. You
may receive a range of hours and a range of total costs.
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6. Find out whether they provide written reports about the services
provided.
7. Do they have experience across a broad spectrum of healthcare, from
hospital to home care?
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5. Where is your patient advocate located? Does business take place
at an office, at your home or over the phone? Is your patient advocate on
call 24/7? Do they have specific hours?
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October 3 • 2013 11