Hi Lisa! Are you purchasing electronic templates? “Thanks” (but no thanks) to COVID19, I’ve had to do so much of my work remotely—so consult agreements forms that can be sent via email & signed electronically are the best for me.

And I think I can count on one hand the number of times that I’ve actually taken a paper form to a meeting with a…[Read more]

Chris – by all means you can focus on oncology if that’s what you want to do. When we begin looking at marketing, you’ll see just how to do it.

And – I would not worry too much about being in a new area with no history. Marketing properly should take care of that, too.

However – the part about “I will not charge a patient who doesn’t have means”…[Read more]

Another good introspection from you, Ali.

I chuckled when I read about flexibility and patience – because those are two of my weaknesses, too – although – I have worked on them and I am MUCH better than I used to be. I have a sign posted over my desk that says “Flexibility is the key to a long and happy life.”

Being a people-pleaser is, in…[Read more]

Good job on this Melanie!

I have nothing to add because your assessment is so thorough – except to say (as you may have read above) – yes, we will cover all those business weaknesses in our program.

Some great introspection here, Melissa. Well done.

And yes – those questions about legal, contracts, insurance, etc… It’s rare to find someone who understands all that prior to staring their advocacy business – which is why we offer the Academy program to begin with! We’ll be covering all that.

re: dealing with your own illness… We ALL…[Read more]

Johanna – I’m going to push back on your “strength” of knowledge of the healthcare system. I don’t doubt for a second that you know how it functions from the point of view of a medical professional. But unless you have had to deal with it from the point of view of a patient who isn’t getting what he/she needs – then you may not know what you need…[Read more]

All good, Cassie. Thanks! You have a good sense of basics for advocacy.

Unless you plan to offer billing and claims services – you do not need to learn how to handle them. Like mentioned above, we’ll instead encourage you to find someone whose skills complement yours to help your clients with those services you aren’t proficient in.

The same…[Read more]

Good job on this Anne. What’s interesting about your assessment is your knowledge of who you are and how you approach the work you are going to do… I like that you aren’t afraid to take risks, and that you are bold. “Not avoiding good conflict” – shows that you know that line between going to the line for patients (I call it “hustle”) – vs just…[Read more]

Strengths:
-Clinical research (oncology) expert
-enjoy working with people
-running my own business now for 4 years
-can manage situations where I don’t get paid on time (a challenge of business)
-Won’t use the fact that I’m an RN to my advantage. In the advocacy arena this makes absolutely no difference. Nurses typically cannot draw the…[Read more]

Good afternoon, all. This was an enlightening exercise.

Strengths:
– Knowledge of HIPAA, the healthcare system, and available benefits; primarily, SSDI, workers’ compensation, personal injury review, malpractice review, ERISA compliance, denial of claims, and general healthcare documents.
– Creative problem-solving of business disputes and…[Read more]

My strengths:
Knowledge of how the healthcare system works…. It doesn’t
Knowledge of how pts. and caregivers think…read, listened, and attended conference’s to improve
Navigation
HIPAA…my last words will probably be, HIPAA
Shared decisions making…I don’t move forward unless my pt. thoroughly understands and we both agree
Flexibi…[Read more]

Thank you Trisha and Nicole. Good info!

Lisa

Thanks everyone for the explanations! I probably should have known all this from past APHA education calls–but didn’t remember them until I had these weird contact requests!

And here’s a personal pet peeve: so many companies spend $$$$ on “wellness programs” which are practically useless. Everyone knows to eat healthy, exercise, etc.–they…[Read more]

Good overview, Kay. As you pointed out, the “running your business” is a very important part – in the early years, it’s even bigger than the advocacy work itself.

The more we get into the business parts, and you see that they aren’t rocket science, your confidence will grow!

And – for you, and others who have mentioned it, we’ll address that…[Read more]

Good Evening Everyone!

I feel confident in my skills and ability to be an independent advocate. There are definitely some areas that I need work on. I’m so excited to get there and get moving!!!!

Advocacy Skills: Strengths
Healthcare system
patient & caregivers think
How doctor’s office & hospitals function
Navigation
Shared decision…[Read more]

Interesting discussion. We worked with an advocate and a nurse case manager through our insurance company when dealing with my daughter’s health issues including multiple rare diseases. In both cases, it only made things more complicated and we spent much of our time educating them.

My business model is based on educating parents rather than…[Read more]