Being a Better Patient Advocate for a Loved One
Being a Better Patient Advocate for a Loved One
August 19 is National Patient Advocacy Day, a day created to raise awareness about navigating the healthcare system, organizing resources, and ensuring patients have access to the best care possible. In recognition of this day, Pegalis Law Group, LLC sheds light on how you can become a better patient advocate for a loved one. Navigating the healthcare system can be challenging but is often necessary during times of illness or accident. Below are some tips to help you adjust to your new role.
Being a patient advocate for a loved one may include assistance with filling out healthcare eligibility and enrollment forms, handling healthcare coverage issues, discussing their medical wishes and treatment preferences, communicating with their medical team, and more. Due to privacy laws and the sensitivity of sharing patient health information, the first step you’ll want to take is to be named on their HIPAA (Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act) release form. This will ensure you’re kept in the loop with their healthcare team.
Assisting With Filling Out Eligibility & Enrollment Forms
Depending on their health, age, and other factors, your loved one may need assistance filling out healthcare-related eligibility and enrollment forms. Medicaid enrollment can be complicated for many. Being a better patient advocate means helping your loved one find the appropriate resources to answer healthcare-related questions. If your loved one’s health is on the decline, you may need to fill out the necessary forms to be informed about their healthcare and act on their behalf, such as a power of attorney or living will.
Navigating Healthcare Coverage Issues & Concerns
Much of being a good advocate for your loved one’s healthcare is helping them navigate through coverage issues and other concerns. Excellent note-taking will be a beneficial skill to develop. You’ll want to keep records of your loved one’s health history, including up-to-date lists of their medications and dosages and copies of their insurance cards. If they have a chronic illness, you may need to track their symptoms and how they’re feeling. You’ll also want to set clear expectations with their medical team to ensure more accurate diagnoses and treatments. Be sure to ask about the pros and cons of specific treatments, and don’t be afraid to ask for second medical opinions.
Learning to Communicate With Their Medical Team
Regrettably, many patients fall through the cracks when healthcare professionals lack the time to communicate and support them. Being a better patient advocate for your loved one usually involves learning to communicate better with their medical team. Checking in with their physicians regularly and contacting them when more urgent care is needed often falls on the patient’s advocate.
Discussing Medical Wishes & Treatment Preferences
One of the biggest challenges of becoming a better patient advocate is taking the time to understand another person’s wants and needs. Be sure to have important but difficult conversations as early as possible. You’ll want to discuss your loved one’s medical wishes and treatment preferences should they ever become incapable of making decisions about their healthcare independently. Advanced directives are essential to being a stronger advocate for your loved one.
Focused on Creating Proactive Patients for 50+ Years
Pegalis Law Group, LLC is a New York-based personal injury and medical malpractice law firm with 50+ years of experience. We’re dedicated to increasing awareness about various healthcare-related topics to create more proactive patients. Please visit our website and follow us on YouTube, Twitter, Facebook, and LinkedIn for additional insights on how to be more proactive about your family’s healthcare.
