Understood Care
When you understand your diagnosis, treatment options, and next steps, you can make informed decisions and feel more confident in your care. National Institutes of Health guidance encourages open dialogue, asking questions until information is clear, and using plain language to support better choices and safer care.
MedlinePlus also emphasizes being honest about symptoms and asking for written instructions when needed. These simple steps can reduce confusion, support shared decisions, and prevent avoidable errors.
Plan and prepare
Your advocate helps you organize your concerns, list your medications, and prepare focused questions for the visit. The free AHRQ Question Builder is one helpful tool for making a personalized list you can bring to your appointment.
Make calls and write messages on your behalf
From the video script with Debbie at Understood Care
You shared that being on the phone with Social Security, your insurance, doctors, or specialists can be time consuming and overwhelming. With your permission, your advocate calls to get the information you need, often saving you from hour long hold times. We relay the results back to you, confirm next steps, and create a plan so your needs are met and your voice is heard. For emails, we draft the message to the agency or provider and include you so you can see exactly what is being communicated on your behalf. Our website is understoodcare.com and our number is (646) 904-4027 if you would like to get signed up today.
Follow up and close the loop
After the visit or call, your advocate reviews the plan with you, checks what was authorized or scheduled, and follows up with the provider if anything is unclear.
Keep everyone on the same page
If you see multiple clinicians, your advocate shares appropriate updates so instructions do not conflict and tasks do not fall through the cracks.
Advocates can draft clear, respectful messages, confirm who should receive them, and copy you so everything stays transparent. With your permission, we can call agencies and provider offices to obtain status updates, authorizations, or records, then summarize what we learned and the next step.
For telehealth or video visits, we help you prepare technology, list concerns, and outline questions to keep the conversation focused and productive.
You choose who is involved in your care. Federal privacy rules permit providers to share information related to your care with family or friends you identify, and a legally recognized personal representative can generally act on your behalf. Your advocate helps you use simple permission statements or forms so the right people can receive updates while your preferences remain respected.
Reputable safety programs urge patients and advocates to ask questions, voice concerns, and confirm understanding. The Joint Commission’s Speak Up program offers easy to follow tips that align with how our advocates support you. We help you frame questions, request plain language, and pause the conversation when something needs clarification.
Teach back made simple
We invite the clinician to share important steps, then help you explain the plan in your own words. If anything is off, we ask for clarification on the spot. This improves comprehension and adherence.
Plain language and focused questions
We translate medical terms into everyday words and prioritize the questions that matter most to you. We also help you request written instructions or a visit summary.
Organized information
We build a concise packet with your diagnosis list, current medications, allergies, key test results, and contact details for your care team. This helps every clinician start with a clear picture.
Language and accessibility support
If you prefer an interpreter, larger print materials, or other accommodations, we help you request these in advance. Clear communication includes meeting your language and accessibility needs.
Debbie from Understood Care explained
We will email the agency or provider and include you so you see exactly what is being communicated. For calls that can take an hour or more, we get your permission, call to obtain the information you need, then relay it back to you so we can move forward with a plan. The goal is that your needs are met and your voice is heard while you do not have to spend the day on the phone.
That is how our team works every day. You stay informed without the stress of long hold times or confusing threads. If you want to get started, visit understoodcare.com or call (646) 904-4027 .
Understood Care is completely virtual. Call (646) 904-4027 or visit https://app.understoodcare.com/ to meet a care advocate who can support you with calls, emails, appointments, and follow up so you feel confident and heard.
This content is educational and is not a substitute for medical advice. Always consult your healthcare provider for personalized care.
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