Question 1

Will my health insurance cover independent patient advocacy?

Accepted Answer

Unfortunately, most health insurance plans do not cover private patient advocacy services. This is because the healthcare system has several flaws, and insurance companies often prioritize their profits over their members' best interests. Some insurance plans offer in-house ‘advocates’, but their loyalty may lie with the insurance company, not with the patients they serve. Ultimately, investing in a private patient advocate can save you time, money, and unnecessary stress in navigating the complex healthcare system.

Question 2

Should I try a 'free advocate' at the hospital, first?

Accepted Answer

While you can certainly try working with hospital advocates, it's important to keep in mind that their loyalty is ultimately to the hospital or healthcare system that employs them. They may provide some basic information or assistance, but they are unlikely to take actions that could be disadvantageous to their employer or that require more in-depth knowledge or experience. Ultimately, it's up to you to decide whether you want to rely on a hospital advocate or seek out a private patient advocate who can provide dedicated and much higher level of support.

Question 3

How much does it cost to hire an independent patient advocate?

Accepted Answer

Our fees depend on your needs and situation. When starting a new case, we typically offer a flat fee ($150 to $700) to accomplish a targeted task. For fluid situations where flexibility is required, we recommend retainer, with the hourly rates ranging from $175 to $225, depending on the case complexity. With a retainer option, we provide a transparent hour-tracking system and will refund any unused hours.

Question 4

What's the process like to work with a private advocate at Patient Advocacy & Beyond?

Accepted Answer

Our process typically starts with a free 15-minute introductory call to discuss your situation and needs. If you're facing an urgent situation, we will call you as soon as possible instead of scheduling a call, and determine if we can assist promptly. Except for urgent situations, our next step is an assessment meeting via video call (one or two hours, depending on the complexity of the case). If your need is simple, we can solve the issue within the one or two hours timeframe without an assessment (if we need to speak with your provider, etc., you will need to sign an authorization form).

Either way, you will receive a summary of the call and a proposal to consider (if applicable). Once the engagement formally begins, you will have access to an online private case status summary (client portal) where you can ask questions and comment. You can always call us or reach out via email too.

Question 5

How do you protect my privacy?

Accepted Answer

At Patient Advocacy & Beyond LLC, we take client privacy and confidentiality very seriously. While private advocates aren’t considered a ‘covered entity’ in HIPAA law, we utilize a HIPAA-compliant email system. To store client information securely, we use a physical hard disk in the office as much as possible. When we must store limited information on the cloud, data stored at rest and database connection are secured by 256 bit encryption. Importantly, access is always restricted to the people who require the information (i.e., typically just the client and the advocate).
 
Finally, all client information will be safely destroyed after three years of disengagement.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will my health insurance cover independent patient advocacy?

Should I try a 'free advocate' at the hospital, first?

How much does it cost to hire an independent patient advocate?

What's the process like to work with a private advocate at Patient Advocacy & Beyond?

How do you protect my privacy?