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Of Honor and Yardsticks

If anyone decides one day to research and write the history of private, independent patient advocacy, they will likely put the genesis of the profession as 2009, when the first two advocacy organizations, NAHAC and APHA / AdvoConnection were launched. Of course, there can’t be such a thing as an organization unless there are people who are looking to be… well… organized. I don’t know how many members NAHAC had when it opened its doors, but APHA / AdvoConnection launched with about 30 interested parties, of whom perhaps a dozen were already working successfully as privately paid advocates. We’re still […]

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Learn Something Every Day

Today I’m going to brag about my sister – to make a point. I expect it will embarrass her a little (no intention to do that) but she illustrates something very important – a good lesson for us all. Barbara (Torrey) Friedman, decided a few years ago (2010) that she’d like to learn a little something about photography. “A little something” has now become a skill that is, simply put, awe-inspiring. And yes, that’s a photo she took two days ago of a real snowflake, one of bazillions that fell in Ithaca, NY where she lives. Think about it. She

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Insurance Reimbursements for Patient Advocates?

This is one of those questions I’m asked frequently. It recently popped up again: When will private patient advocates be reimbursed by insurance? In fairness, the question is usually asked by those who either aren’t advocates, or are in the very early stages of thinking about patient advocacy as a way to make a living. They haven’t been exposed to the issues involved on a regular basis, so the obvious answers aren’t so readily apparent. But whether you’re a total newbie, or you’ve been dancing in advocacy circles for awhile, there are two answers, at least for now: > probably

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Don’t Let the YesButs Stand in Your Way

This post is dedicated to all our APHA members and non-members who have been infested with YesButs. What’s a YesBut? A YesBut is the answer to all those questions and suggestions intended to help them build their practices that they prefer to not think about. Further, it’s the answer they give that, until these same advocates find a solution, indicates they will not succeed. I wish I had a dollar for every YesBut someone fires back at me! “YesBut they need the help so badly and they don’t have any money!” “YesBut I’m afraid to quit my fulltime job until

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‘Tis the Season to Extend Your Outreach

(Updated 2020 in the midst of the pandemic!) Who hires you to be their advocate? It’s rarely one person who decides to hire you. No matter who your usual target audiences are – seniors, the elderly, adult children, parents…. the answer today is that families and loved ones come together to consider hiring an advocate for a loved one when they recognize that loved one is having challenges related to their health and medical care. Spouse discusses the idea with sick spouse. Adult son discusses the idea with sister to hire an advocate for parent. Brother considers hiring an advocate

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Riddle Me This – Then Take a Step Back

You may have seen this riddle running around the internet: It’s 3:00 am. Your doorbell rings. Unexpected visitors! It’s long time friends, and they are hungry for some breakfast. You have strawberry jam, honey, wine, bread and cheese. So what is the first thing you open? Here’s one that’s similar, but is perhaps more appropriate for an audience of health advocates: It’s 3:00 am. Your doorbell rings. It’s your neighbors! One is clutching his chest and screams, I’ve been shot! The second one is holding her thigh and says, I’ve been shot, too! What’s the first thing you do? We’ll

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What Patients Fear – The Waiter Will Spit in Their Soup

In the patient empowerment corner of my world, a complaint or fear I hear voiced by patients is the fear of retaliation. They are afraid that if they speak up to their doctors, or ask questions, or make their own decisions, then they will get substandard care. The provider will be so upset, he or she won’t provide what the patient really needs. I call this The Waiter Will Spit In My Soup Syndrome. I’ve never had a conversation with someone who can identify a time this actually happened to them – where they got care that wasn’t up to

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