Health Advocacy Services

People go to hospitals to get well; unfortunately, being hospitalized can also be risky. In fact, an estimated 210,000 to 440,000 hospital patients each year suffer some type of preventable harm that contributes to their death. Because of these alarming numbers, I will monitor your scheduled procedures and medications, engage with medical providers who visit your bedside, and observe and inquire about safety measures being used to prevent errors, infections, falls, and other potential impediments to your recovery.

There are always options and abundant resources to improve you or your loved one’s quality of life, even if you have a chronic or acute illness. Let me introduce you to nationally renowned providers and cutting-edge organizations, arrange free or low-cost second opinions, conduct research on novel therapies, identify cost-saving strategies, and identify clinical trials for which you might be eligible.

If you’ve lost confidence in your providers of if your current physician is ill-suited to meet your needs and treatment goals, I can help you find a better match and transfer your care. This includes helping you access a team of providers with the expertise and experience you seek for your health and peace of mind.

An advance directive is a legal document that guides you in initiating conversations with your loved ones to ensure that your end-of-life care aligns with your needs, values, and goals. Without this critical document in place, you may miss the opportunity to think through all the quality-of-life issues that matter most to you. I can help you prepare this form before you may need it.

Whether you’re across town or across the country, I understand that managing a loved one’s care extends far beyond meeting their physical needs. I can help family caregivers persuade a loved one to seek treatment, locate a well-respected provider in an unfamiliar city, and oversee care from a distance. My experience mediating challenging family dynamics can improve communication that has become stuck, especially when old conflicts are magnified by your loved one’s illness.

Choosing a health plan is never easy, but it’s more difficult when you or a loved one is ill. Whether you’re selecting employer-sponsored coverage, purchasing a plan through the Covered California marketplace, or you’re a Medicare beneficiary, I’ll help you draw meaningful comparisons among your options and choose wisely.

Privacy and self-determination are central to your rights as a patient. Perhaps you’re concerned about accessing and correcting your medical records; or consenting to, refusing, or terminating treatment. As your health advocate, I can teach you how to utilize state and federal protections that safeguard your rights to maximum benefit.

If the treatment recommended by your healthcare provider is denied by your insurance, don’t worry. I’ll be at your side to tenaciously and expertly guide you through the appeals process and ensure that you receive the care to which you’re entitled. I’ll confirm through your providers that you’ll receive evidence-based healthcare based on current diagnostic procedures, the known benefits and harms of different treatments and practices, and the expected course of your illness.