Health advocates to fight patients' cause
Case Management Weekly, October 23, 2007
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A New York insurance plan claims to be the first to offer patients a personal 'health advocate' as standard. HealthNow New York says members can call on the advocates to explain test results and treatment options, as well as help them obtain medical appointments, find the right doctor, and access community resources, such as nursing homes. Advocates will also help patients negotiate medical bills for procedures not covered by their insurance.
"Having an expert who knows the ins and outs of health and insurance issues is no different than hiring a lawyer to assist with legal issues," said Abbie Leibowitz, MD, chief medical officer of the firm providing the advocates, in a press release.
The announcement coincided with a report in The San Francisco Chronicle on a growing trend for private health advocates. The paper featured a call from Joanna Smith, founder of advocacy group, Healthcare Liaison, for tighter rules: "From a consumer-protection standpoint, there just are not standards. So anyone literally can hang up a shingle and say 'I'm a healthcare advocate'."
Source: PRNewswire and The San Francisco Chronicle
Other articles of interest
Using the waiting room to educate patients
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