AnnMarie McIlwain, leading patient advocate, describes actions you can take to help control your health that go beyond the necessary -- social distancing and washing hands.
Continuing with a play book that says fail first and be at death’s door until we have all the empirical evidence via clinical trials to justify use of immunotherapy earlier in the cancer treatment process is difficult for me to accept.
If you're like many Americans, health insurance is not something you give a lot of thought to--until you need it. Understanding what your health insurance policy covers, including the alphabet soup of terms--co-insurance, co-pay, deductibles, etc, can be confusing. Where to start? Take a deep breath. Karen Vogel, Patient Advocators' resident health insurance pro lays out the basics, and offers sage advice on checking your bills, reviewing your benefits, and getting what you paid for.
Trying to navigate the Medicaid application process, beginning with whether or not it's the right option for you or a family member, doesn't have to be difficult. Here are some answers to the most commonly asked questions.
A hospital can be a place for healing, but did you know that on any given day, about 1 in 25 hospital patients will come down with a hospital-related infection? Many of these infections, which can be life threatening or lead to setbacks in recovery, are easily avoidable. How? Believe it or not, one of the most common causes for the spread of infection in a hospital is when those who come into contact with a patient DO NOT WASH THEIR HANDS.
Getting a medical diagnosis, especially when it's a major illness or chronic condition like cancer or diabetes, can be confusing, scary, and downright overwhelming. Bringing someone with you to a meeting with doctors is important--for support, to help listen, take notes, ask questions, and hear not only the diagnosis, but also about your options. We are glad we had someone with us when our daughter was diagnosed with cancer. Here's our story and the lessons we learned in the process.
If you or a family member gets sick, are you prepared to answer the question--what defines a life worth living--essentially, what does quality of life mean to me or a family member I might be responsible for? Having an advance healthcare directive, aka "Living Will" as well as other plans in place, is the single most important way to have a family member's or your wishes carried out in the event of a medical crisis that leaves you incapacitated. Read on to learn what you need to do.
Don't wait until a medical emergency happens while your child is away at college. There are some simple steps you should take and paperwork you need to have in place before your son or daughter leaves for college--being prepared can save you time and worry. Don't know what a durable power of attorney is or why having one in place for your student is so important? Read on.
If you are like many Americans, you probably have an aging parent as well as children still at home. You may also not be prepared in the event your parent gets sick. From HIPPA privacy laws to what is covered under Medicare, being prepared before a crisis occurs is advisable. We've got some tips to get you started.
Aesop said “In union there is strength”. Had he lived today, he would have added savings (in union there is strength and savings), as in life altering, better living, money in your pocket savings by working with a medical bill advocate who knows where the lowest cost prescription drugs can be found.
Over the past decade, my firm has saved clients hundreds of thousands of dollars by merely shopping around without ever leaving our office.