What is an International Patient Advocate?
It’s easy for patients and families to feel overwhelmed when diagnosed with an illness. It is confusing to know where to begin, which providers offer the best treatment and how much are the out of pocket expenses with or without health insurance coverage. An international healthcare advocate helps guide patients and families so they can make the best informed decisions about their medical condition.
An international patient advocate takes care of formulating a comprehensive plan to ensure that patients’ needs are being taken care of. This includes taking the time to evaluate care facilities, obtaining useful resources, and providing the knowledge of the healthcare system so patients can make informed decisions during each of step of treatment during their healthcare journey. An international patient advocate will make it a priority find the best care based on each patient’s unique situation while also taking care of setting up appointments with the appropriate healthcare professionals. An international patient advocate is a problem solver that diligently guides patients and families through the oftentimes convoluted healthcare process, by helping every step of the way.
It’s important to remember that while international healthcare advocates have extensive knowledge of the health care system, they are not a substitute for a consultation with a licensed healthcare professional. The advocate is there to provide information and research which can be utilized by patients, providers, and payers. For any medical decisions, it is still imperative that patient discuss their concerns with their healthcare team.
This update is by global healthcare and wellness advisor Nancy Valenzuela. Nancy has more than two decades of experience in providing effective solutions for global clients in the US, the Caribbean, Latin America, Canada, and Europe. She is certified in International Healthcare Management and has assisted numerous patients with finding the right quality care and coverage. Nancy is dedicated to the cost-effective use of health care services to achieve higher levels of success and optimal clinical outcomes that promote healthier lives. For more information, please call 305-775-7188.
