Members Only
Member Dashboard

Search APHA Blog

Search

The Alliance of Professional Health Advocates

Breaking the Rules

6 minutes of reading / 4 Comments / By /

If you think about it, rule-breaking plays an enormous role in the life and work of a patient advocate. Rule breaking – is one reason (even if it’s not the only reasons) we exist – a problem we fight. One reason we are hired. Rule breaking – might be a success tactic – a way to win the fight. Rule breaking – is one of the major factors that separates private, individual professional advocates from our hospital and insurance counterparts – the distinction that often makes the difference to patient-clients’ outcomes.

Breaking the Rules Continue Reading

It’s the #1 Reason: YDKWYDK

5 minutes of reading / 7 Comments / By /

They’re getting worse. Or at least it feels that way. I’ve just spent a week away, traveling across the country for both business and pleasure. While on the road, I’ve talked to dozens of people I’ve never met before. When the subject turned to the “what do you do for a living?” question, and I answered, almost every one of them regaled me with a story, one story more surprising, frightening or tragic than the next. Either they or a loved one have been caught short by the medical care system, leading to inconvenience at the least, or debilitation, a

It’s the #1 Reason: YDKWYDK Continue Reading

Leading By Example

3 minutes of reading / Leave a Comment / By /

Long time readers of this blog know that when it comes to private advocacy, I preach the gospel of learning to run a business. I know – it seems counter-intuitive sometimes. But it’s true; that being a successful business owner is often less about being good at the core business, products and services one offers, and more about practicing good business tenets. So, I have spent the last week leading by example. And today, I am so very ready to get back to working with advocates instead! APHA Members may remember the announcement a few months ago:

Leading By Example Continue Reading

And They Called it Puppy L-o-o-ve

5 minutes of reading / 1 Comment / By /

…. Remember when you were a teenager in puppy love> Oh! You couldn’t stand to be away from the new person in your life! You knew you would love each other forever – but the rest of the world that was getting in the way of that love. THEY thought you were too young, but you knew better! …. And they called it puppy love Oh I guess they’ll never know How a young heart really feels And why I love her so It was the highest of highs, finding love for the first time! Like no other, you couldn’t

And They Called it Puppy L-o-o-ve Continue Reading

Cruel to Be Kind and Kind to be Cruel

6 minutes of reading / 3 Comments / By /

I received an email from a woman named Irma. She wants to become a health advocate, to assist people in her community who have Alzheimers. (Bless her for that.) But she was laid off from her job, and doesn’t have any money. She asked me if I would let her join Alliance of Professional Health Advocates for free so she could “learn how to do it.” Irma’s request was not the first I’ve received over the years. I am also asked to give people free copies of my books, and even loan or donate money to help them get started

Cruel to Be Kind and Kind to be Cruel Continue Reading

Babbling Will Get You Nowhere

5 minutes of reading / Leave a Comment / By /

Margaret needs help for her aging father who lives 600 miles away from her. She wants to find someone to accompany him to doctors appointments, someone who can review and organize his medical bills as they arrive, and someone who can discuss his medical needs on a three-way phone call (Dad, Margaret and an advocate) once each week. Dad is happy with the idea and is willing to pay for the service. The “perfect” client, right? Here’s how I know Margaret’s story: She sent an email to our “info” email address at AdvoConnection, asking for the best way to find

Babbling Will Get You Nowhere Continue Reading

Eight Hour Day? Get Paid for Sixteen

5 minutes of reading / Leave a Comment / By /

Patient advocate Joan H. Elper has been an independent advocate for more than a year now. She has worked with seven clients during that time, and is growing her practice slowly but surely. Her focus is medical-navigational in nature, helping mostly elderly parents of the adult children who hire her understand what their doctors tell them. She also has two cancer patients who want to self-direct their care more than the doctors would like, so some of Joan’s reward comes from seeing those clients make informed decisions based on their own wants and needs, and finding that their doctors have

Eight Hour Day? Get Paid for Sixteen Continue Reading

APHA Blog : The Alliance of Professional Health Advocates →←
Scroll to Top