Patient Advocate FAQs

Patient advocates help their clients understand their plan of care, understand treatment options, and answer any questions they may have. Patient advocates may accompanying their client to doctor’s appointments or family meetings.

A professional patient advocate is a specially trained and experienced healthcare professional who works closely with other members of the care team to coordinate a patient’s care.

Patient advocates are also known as patient representatives, care managers, or ombudsmen.

In the United States, most hospitals have patient advocates that are typically not medical personnel. Although nurses and doctors often take on the responsibility of being an advocate for their patients, there are also professional advocates who work in hospitals.

A private advocate focuses on one patient at a time, whereas clinical providers are employed by a practice or hospital. The difference is that the clinical providers’ paychecks come from the organization they work for, whereas private advocates derive their paychecks from the patient.

If you are having trouble getting the service or support you need from your hospital, then by all means, start by contacting the hospital’s patient advocate.

A senior advocate helps seniors with understanding resources and services, while also assisting them in applying for those benefits. Job duties include researching health care and social services, assisting clients review bills or insurance claims, and offering support after hospital visits.

An independent patient advocate is not employed by a hospital or insurance company, and therefore is beholden only to the patient and the patient’s family. For that reason, a patient advocate’s services are not covered by insurance.

Reach out to Tracy at Care Navigation & Advocacy for information about patient advocacy services or to ask additional questions.

• Communicating with healthcare providers.
• Setting, coordinating, and attending appointments.
• Speaking up about patient rights.
• Identifying health resources and making referrals.
• Explaining confusing medical information.
• Clarifying diagnoses and conditions.
• Coordinating care between specialists.