On Providing Information— “Talking with you was such a positive step in the right direction. I have incorporated your suggestions into my life, and feel so much better.”
New Service Helps Patients in Commercial Plans Navigate Health System Effectively
Gray, MAINE (December 20, 2011) – Employers providing group health insurance now have a service available that has proven to be very successful in helping individual patients identify and access the best possible care.
In what is the only program of its kind in Maine, Patient Advocates, LLC, now offers advocacy services to employers who buy group health insurance on the open market, a service previously offered only to large self-insured employers. Nurse advocates from the company work on behalf of plan members to help them better understand their conditions and what treatment options are available to them.
“Employers tell us that their plan members need more help navigating the health care system and timely access to specialty care is an issue,” says James Ward, President of Patient Advocates, LLC. “Our nurse advocates help patients find the right care, at the right time, when they need it. As a result of our long-standing relationships with regional centers of excellence, patients learn about medical choices they might not have known about as well as have opportunities for quicker access to specialty care.
“Recently one of our clients was hospitalized with meningitis symptoms said to be complications of his treatment of rheumatoid arthritis. Facing a wait time of six weeks for a follow up appointment with his doctor, our nurse advocates were asked to help. They arranged an appointment with the Clinical Director of Rheumatology at Massachusetts General for a second opinion in just five business days. This patient was diagnosed with Systemic Lupus Erythematosus and with proper diagnosis and management of his disease, the patient is now feeling well.”
Patient Advocates has been offering this service to self-insured companies for many years. They have now extended that service to employers who buy group coverage through commercial insurers. Employers purchase advocacy services directly from Patient Advocates and offer this program to plan members as an additional employee benefit.
“Advocacy is great for the patient and helps make sure health dollars are spent wisely,” Ward said. “Accessing the proper treatment quickly leads to the best results for both the patient and the employer.”
About Patient Advocates
Patient Advocates LLC has been helping clients navigate the health care system since 1995. Patient Advocates offers innovative patient advocacy and disease management services, award-winning wellness programs, and creative benefit plan designs with third-party administration. For information, go to www.patientadvocatesllc.com or call (207) 657-7733.
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