When should you ask for a patient advocate? The answer might surprise you

If you’ve got serious healthcare questions or medical confusion has led you to struggle with care decisions, you’re not alone. Perhaps you or your elderly loved one needs help finding in-network providers or understanding your benefits. If so, it may be time to work with a patient advocate, a professional who can help you navigate the healthcare system. 

The problem is that most people don’t realize when advocacy could help them. Many people assume that advocates provide support only during health emergencies. In reality, an advocate’s services will prove more helpful if you can access them long before you start to feel overwhelmed. 

Learn what patient advocates do, why they matter for your care, and when you should ask for a patient advocate. 

What a patient advocate does

Patient advocates step in to provide health guidance, address patient concerns, and promote better doctor communication. Their role is to support patients and their families by promoting clarity and follow-through.

According to Deborah Hall, Director of Operations and Patient Advocate, many patients face confusion about what patient advocates require, mistakenly believing that:

• They have to sign over POA to get access to a patient advocate
• They have to disclose sensitive information to advocates
• They can’t afford a patient advocate’s services

In reality, as Hall shares, your advocate is there to help you find a provider, fill out paperwork, understand your insurance coverage, and assert your patient rights. Patient advocacy is all about making sure you don’t have to face complicated care decisions alone. You won’t have to sign away your rights, and you may be surprised to learn that advocacy is affordable (even covered by Medicare in many cases).

Signs it’s time to ask for a patient advocate

Now that you know why patient advocates matter, learn about some signs that you might need clinical assistance from an advocate. 

You feel overwhelmed managing care

Care coordination can become overwhelming when you have to keep track of too many things, such as:

• Appointments with different providers 
• Test results
• Care instructions
• Referrals

If you miss a follow-up appointment or don’t know what to ask a provider, your care could be delayed. Advocates who offer support services can help you avoid care disputes and get the answers you need in a timely manner. Receiving the right care at the appropriate time can help you feel more confident in your treatment.  

Insurance or Medicare is confusing

Billing problems and insurance issues are some of the most common reasons people work with advocates. As you’ve likely experienced firsthand, documents like insurance EOBs and hospital bills can be very confusing. When paperwork feels unclear or you keep running into the same billing issues, advocacy can put an end to costly mistakes. 

You have chronic conditions

If you have an ongoing health condition, you may have to see multiple specialists and take several different medications. You also need a long-term plan to keep your ailment in check. 

An advocate can put all of the pieces together for you and reduce the risk of something being overlooked as your needs change over time. Work with an advocate to avoid the compounding effect of untreated chronic conditions. 

Mobility or transportation is challenging

Do you have trouble getting to your appointments or obtaining important equipment? These hurdles can make healthcare inaccessible. 

Advocates help coordinate logistics so that your care is more consistent and effective. They can connect you with local resources that will get you to appointments or equipment providers on time, minimizing the risk of delays in treatment. 

Caregiving is too much for one person

Family caregivers often carry more responsibility than they realize. If you’ve become the primary caregiver for a loved one and are feeling overwhelmed, an advocate may be able to help. 

Advocacy support helps you share the load while making sure that your family member’s needs are addressed. Remember, you can’t take care of your loved one if you are burnt out and exhausted.

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When you should ask for a patient advocate in the hospital

Here’s when you should ask for a patient advocate while in the hospital. 

When you feel unheard or unsure during medical decisions

Things can happen quickly when you go to the hospital, and important care decisions are often made under pressure. If you feel rushed or don’t fully understand your provider’s explanations, an advocate can help slow things down. They will help you ask the right questions so that you know your options before moving forward. 

When transitions of care get complicated

Moving from hospital support to another phase of care isn’t always seamless. Examples of situations where patients often need extra support include:

• Discharge planning
• Follow-up care
• Referrals to a specialist

Gaps in treatment can occur at these points, and patients sometimes fall through the cracks. An advocate will help you coordinate the next steps in order to smooth the transition. Their support may also reduce the risk of readmission to the hospital.  

When is the right time to ask for a patient advocate?

You should ask for a patient advocate when you first need help, not after you are already overwhelmed.

Before a crisis; not after

There’s a common misconception that advocates step in during or after a medical crisis. While they can provide valuable support at any time, they are most effective when brought in early. An advocate who has had time to familiarize themselves with your case and what you are going through will be better equipped to guide your care journey. 

When early confusion becomes repeated frustration

Don’t wait until the confusion piles up to seek help. Look to an advocate if you’ve:

• Dealt with the same paperwork problem two or more times
• Postponed getting care because it feels too complicated 
• Encountered an issue and aren’t confident that it has been adequately resolved

When this happens, your advocate will work on your behalf to clear up any confusion. There’s no reason to keep revisiting the same problem when someone is ready to provide health navigation services. 

When peace of mind feels more important than doing it all alone

According to Hall, some patients wait to contact an advocate because they think they should be able to manage their healthcare journeys on their own. But this can lead to confusion about whether providers are in-network, whether a document is an EOB or a bill, or what kinds of information need to be provided to various providers, insurers, and health agencies.

The reality, however, is that working with an advocate protects your independence. You’ll still make the decisions, but you’ll have someone in your corner to help you make those choices with confidence.

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How Understood Care advocates make the process easier 

Understood Care provides Americans with care advocates. With our help, you’ll be matched with an expert who knows how the U.S. medical system works and what challenges you are up against. Most importantly, advocate services are covered by Medicare. 

A real person matched to your needs

Your Understood Care experience begins with an intake process. During this process, we’ll match you with the right advocate based on the challenges you are facing. Our team considers the following:

• Your healthcare needs and condition
• Your individual preferences
• Your goals and concerns

Once you are matched with an advocate, they will take time to understand your story before they provide personalized health guidance. Our team members know what questions to ask, when to escalate grievances, and how to get you the care you need in a timely manner. 

Fully covered by Medicare

At Understood Care, we offer transparent pricing, and support is included with most Medicare plans. You don’t have to worry about incurring surprise bills when seeking the support of a patient advocate. Instead, reach out to Understood Care and find out what services are part of your Medicare plan. 

Examples of real support moments (anonymized)

At Understood Care, we are known for stepping up when patients and their family members need support most:

• Patient advocacy prevented a patient from losing coverage due to missed forms during an already stressful time
• We've coordinated appointments across multiple specialists for a patient who couldn't easily travel or manage back-to-back visits
• Patient advocates have supported caregivers in understanding their loved ones’ medication instructions after discharge, preventing medication errors 

These moments can prevent bigger problems later, especially when treatment help begins early. That’s what our advocates find most rewarding. They provide a voice to patients who may otherwise go unheard. 

When you should ask for a patient advocate from Understood Care

Do you or your loved one need help seeking care or overcoming confusion? A patient advocate from Understood Care can clear up confusion and deal with logistical challenges on your behalf. 

Don’t let a lack of understanding prevent you from getting the care you deserve. Understood Care and our team of experienced advocates are here to help. Sign up today.

Related Reading

• Self Advocacy - Learn More
• What is a Patient Navigator
• Your Advocate. Anywhere. Anytime.
• How to prioritize bills when you cannot pay everything

FAQs

What happens when you ask for a patient advocate?

After you ask for support, your assigned advocate will learn about your health needs and insurance coverage. They will also identify what challenges you have faced and organize your medical information so that you can make healthcare decisions more confidently and receive timely care. 

When would a client need to use an advocate?

People often use an advocate when their healthcare journey feels overwhelming or confusing. For example, a patient advocate may be helpful if you are working with multiple providers or if you are running into a recurring billing issue. Advocacy can be particularly beneficial when you require ongoing coordination of care. 

When might a person need an advocate?

According to Hall, you may want to bring in an advocate if medical paperwork piles up or you are feeling lost because of a complicated care journey. Also, if you are struggling with increased healthcare costs, such as if you have to decide between buying medications and food, a healthcare advocate can connect you with helpful resources.

Finally, anyone whose health is declining should consider an advocate, especially if they’ve undergone multiple hospitalizations. Don’t wait until the quality of care you receive diminishes. Be proactive when it comes to your health. 

Why would a patient have an advocate? 

Patients work with advocates when they need medical support and clarity regarding treatment. Advocates from Understood Care also assist with billing and insurance issues, which are common in America’s complicated health system.

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