The healthcare industry is complex and can be daunting to any patient, but especially so for patients (or parents of children) who are facing a life-changing or life-threatening diagnosis. In those cases, some patients are choosing to add a member to their care team: A paid patient advocate.
There are roughly 300 patient advocates available for hire in the U.S., according to the Washington Post. Advocates can have clinical backgrounds and/or personal knowledge of the healthcare industry. They can attend appointments with parents, translate jargon into patient-friendly language or help patients understanding billing procedures, among other roles.
Many physicians welcome the involvement of advocates, according to the report. "Doctors are so overworked that they…seem thrilled to discover that people who do what I do exist and that I am part of a team that can take pressure off them," Sima Kahn, MD, an OB-GYN and patient advocate, told the Washington Post.
While they can be beneficial, patient advocates are not inexpensive: Hourly rates can start at $100, according to the report. However, advocates can help patients avoid expensive pitfalls and make the best decisions possible about their care.