Mayo’s Answer to “Patient Hostage Syndrome:” A Patient Advocate

When respected fields like physicians talk about patients being held hostage, you have to take it seriously. http://www.mayoclinicproceedings.org/article/S0025-6196(17)30394-4/fulltext#  

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The Secret’s Out: It’s Possible to Privately Negotiate Care and Prices

A patient advocate who isn’t afraid to negotiate on behalf of a client is likely to be an advocate in demand. Everywhere an advocate turns, opportunities to negotiate are plentiful: Inflated medical bills, premature hospital discharges, discontinuation of physical therapy sessions, procedures deemed medically unnecessary by insurance companies – yet desired by a specialty physician. […]

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Lisa’s Turn: Unfortunately, Assisted Living Didn’t Work for Henry

Henry — Hospice Day #13 Still refusing to let go, I found Henry a bit weaker today but still lucid. Since turning 100 on July 4, 2012, Henry has been after me to write about his life before knowing me and after. I always put him off. “Henry, I’m too busy. I don’t have time […]

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At 104, I’ve Moved Into An Assisted Living Center

After walking hundreds of miles over so many decades, I managed to keep my aging process at bay. Sadly, it appears time has finally caught up with me. Fortunately I’m not ill, just “old” as my doctor tells me. And a “fall risk,” which doesn’t sound that bad to me but I’m told it is. I never […]

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Tricks Hospitals Play, and How To Stop Them

Lee Mowatt is a remarkably positive man, with lots of energy, who is the creator and host of a website promoting the wisdom mature adults can take from the journey of their lives, and become better because of their actions. Here is Lee’s website’s link: http://innergameofaging.com/ Lee heard from many of his listeners that they wanted to hear […]

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Introducing Our Patient Assistance App

DependableDoc (C) enables patients and their loved ones to learn the ABCs of patient rights in a clear and simple app format. Whether you find yourself in an emergency room, a rehabilitation facility, staring at an outrageous medical bill, or countless other unwanted (yet all too familiar) healthcare scenarios, our app provides healthcare consumers with helpful […]

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What A Drag — At 104 — It Is Getting Old

My first blog post since turning 104 on the 4th of July! Yes, I’m still here and with plenty to say. For years my Medicare supplemental insurance premium with Anthem Blue Cross of California has been automatically deducted from my checking account. I visit my local Citibank branch in Westlake Village, California (where everyone does […]

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To the Top Brass at Medical Insurance Companies and Hospital Administration, This One’s for You

The last words of Steve Jobs – I have come to the pinnacle of success in business. In the eyes of others, my life has been the symbol of success. However, apart from work, I have little joy. Finally, my wealth is simply a fact to which I am accustomed. At this time, lying on […]

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Life Care Planners (Originally Published on NerdWallet.com)

The Critical Role Life Care Planners Can Play in Your Finances by Advisor Voices | posted in Advisor Voices, Finance Published on November 4, 2015 12 By Lisa Berry Blackstock Learn more about Lisa at NerdWallet’s Ask an Advisor The inability to pay medical bills is the most common reason for bankruptcy among Americans. According […]

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SOUL SHERPA (R) Now Part of AdvoConnection Speakers Forum

A new public outreach program has just been launched by Trisha Torrey, formidable patient advocate in her own right and force behind AdvoConnection.  This organization provides many consumer resources, including a free national directory of patient advocates located throughout the country.  Now AdvoConnection is offering the public access to experienced advocates who are available to speak […]

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