Frequently Asked Questions

A patient advocate is a healthcare professional who helps patients navigate complex healthcare systems, understand their rights, and access needed care and resources. We help with:

• Insurance navigation: Understanding benefits, filing appeals, resolving claim issues
• Financial assistance: Finding and applying to programs that help pay for medical care
• Care coordination: Connecting you with specialists and ensuring continuity of care
• Provider communication: Helping you communicate effectively with your healthcare team
• System navigation: Guiding you through hospital systems, appointment scheduling, and medical records

Our basic advocacy services are completely free for patients. This includes:

• Initial consultation and assessment
• Provider referrals through our network
• Financial assistance program information
• Basic insurance navigation support

We believe that access to healthcare advocacy should not be limited by a patient's ability to pay. Our mission is to remove barriers to care, not create new ones.

Our response times vary based on urgency:

• Emergency situations: Same day response (within 4 hours)
• Urgent requests: Within 24 hours
• Standard requests: Within 48 hours
• General information: Within 3 business days

For immediate medical emergencies, please call 911 or go to your nearest emergency room.

There are several types of financial assistance programs available:

• Co-pay relief programs: Help with insurance co-pays and deductibles (Patient Advocate Foundation, Good Days, HealthWell)
• Pharmaceutical programs: Free medications from drug manufacturers (Pfizer, J&J, Merck)
• Hospital charity care: Free or reduced-cost care based on income
• Government programs: Medicare Extra Help, Medicaid, state assistance
• Non-profit grants: Various foundations that help with medical expenses
• Equipment assistance: Free or low-cost medical equipment loans

Yes! Having insurance does not disqualify you from financial assistance. Many programs are specifically designed for people with insurance who still struggle with:

• High deductibles and co-pays
• Medications not covered by insurance
• Out-of-network specialist care
• Advanced treatments with high out-of-pocket costs

Programs like Patient Advocate Foundation Co-Pay Relief and Good Days Foundation specifically help people who have insurance but face financial hardship due to medical costs.

Processing times vary by program:

• Co-pay relief programs: 10-15 business days
• Pharmaceutical programs: 2-4 weeks
• Hospital charity care: 30-60 days
• Emergency programs: 24-48 hours

Pro tip: Apply early and to multiple programs simultaneously. We can help you create a timeline and follow up on applications.

Our network includes various healthcare providers specializing in wound care:

• Wound care specialists: Certified wound care professionals
• Vascular surgeons: For circulation-related wounds
• Dermatologists: Skin conditions and chronic wounds
• Plastic surgeons: Complex wound reconstruction
• Podiatrists: Diabetic foot ulcers and lower extremity wounds
• Certified wound care nurses: Specialized nursing care
• Hyperbaric medicine specialists: Advanced oxygen therapy

Consider seeing a wound care specialist if your wound:

• Has not healed after 2-4 weeks of proper care
• Is getting larger instead of smaller
• Shows signs of infection (increased pain, redness, warmth, drainage, odor)
• Is deeper than the skin surface
• Keeps reopening after it seems to heal
• Is related to diabetes, circulation problems, or other chronic conditions

Emergency warning signs: Seek immediate medical care if you have fever, red streaks from the wound, severe pain, or signs of serious infection.

Our professional medical assessment helps you:

• Identify wound location: Click on the area of your body where the wound is located
• Find relevant specialists: Get recommendations for providers who specialize in that body area
• Understand treatment options: Learn about common treatments for wounds in that location
• Prepare for appointments: Get information to discuss with your healthcare provider

The tool is designed to be accessible and works on all devices. If you have trouble using it, we can help you over the phone.

Insurance denials can often be successfully appealed. Here's what we can help you do:

1. Review the denial letter: Understand exactly why the claim was denied
2. Gather supporting documentation: Medical records, physician letters, research studies
3. File a formal appeal: Follow your insurance company's appeal process
4. Request peer-to-peer review: Have your doctor speak directly with insurance medical director
5. Consider external review: Independent review if internal appeals fail

We have experience with insurance appeals and can guide you through each step of the process.

Medicare covers many wound care treatments when medically necessary:

• Physician visits: Wound care specialist appointments
• Advanced dressings: Certain types of specialized wound dressings
• Negative pressure therapy: Wound VAC systems for qualifying wounds
• Hyperbaric oxygen: For specific conditions like diabetic wounds
• Surgical procedures: Debridement, grafts, and reconstructive surgery

Important: Coverage requirements and criteria change regularly. We stay updated on current Medicare policies and can help determine what's covered for your specific situation.

We take your privacy very seriously and follow strict HIPAA compliance standards:

• Encryption: All data is encrypted in transit and at rest
• Access controls: Only authorized staff can access your information on a need-to-know basis
• Training: All team members are trained on privacy protection
• Secure systems: We use healthcare-grade security systems
• No sharing: We never share your information without your explicit consent

You have the right to access, correct, or request deletion of your information at any time.

We only share your information when:

• You give explicit consent: When you authorize us to share information
• For your treatment: With healthcare providers you choose to connect with
• For assistance applications: With financial assistance programs you apply to through our service
• As required by law: Only when legally mandated

We never: Sell your information, share it for marketing purposes, or provide it to unauthorized third parties.