nashadvocacy

There is a growing conversation in the healthcare world about patient advocacy — and that is a good thing. More people are learning that they do not have to navigate the complex, overwhelming healthcare system alone. But as awareness grows, so does a trend that concerns me deeply as a Board-Certified Patient Advocate (BCPA): companies that offer "patient advocacy services" while being paid by Medicare, insurance companies, or healthcare systems. I want to be transparent with you about how I...

Medical debt is the number one cause of personal bankruptcy in the United States. But here is something most people do not know: many medical bills are negotiable, some contain errors, and there are real, legal strategies to reduce what you owe. Over ten years as a patient advocate in the Carolinas, I have helped clients save thousands of dollars on their medical bills. This is not about gaming the system. This is about knowing your rights and using them. Step 1: Request an Itemized Bill and...

Receiving a serious medical diagnosis is one of the most frightening moments of a person's life. And the instinct to act immediately, to start treatment right away, is completely understandable. But there is one step that can change everything before you commit to a treatment path: getting a second opinion. Studies suggest that second opinions result in significant changes to diagnosis or treatment plans in up to 21 percent of cases. That statistic alone is reason enough to make the call....