Thanks, Schandelle, for this post.

I’ve never thought of doing monthly billing, so I learned something new. I typically operate on a retainer only basis and require it to be refilled when used up, prior to moving on.

Do I refund? My contract states it will not be refunded, but I have made exceptions. It hasn’t happened more than twice. Once, the…[Read more]

One more thing, have her look at the documentation she would have gotten from her employer with her grace period to decide to take the COBRA coverage. If this provider visit happened before that expiration date and she had made a payment initially, maybe it could be covered? They have quite a long time to decide to take coverage but then they…[Read more]

Who did she set up the automatic payment through? My past experience included providing our employees with the COBRA documentation which included where they needed to send their monthly premium. That payment had to come to us as the employer and had a cut off date. Most employees mailed us a check each month and we would process it and continue…[Read more]

Aging Wisdom is a great resource! As an adjunct or alternative, I offer similar services but also provide in-person advocacy at appointments and when a client needs to visit the ER or is hospitalized. I serve clients in the greater Seattle Area.

Cheryl Kauffman, PT, BCPA
https://seattlepatientadvocates.com/

I would think that if the same doctor is giving the results as had read the echo, they would charge for reading the echo, much like a radiologist does. The appt for explaining the test results is then charged separately. Might try calling and speaking to the doctors nurse and getting on a waiting list. Explain that waiting > then a month is…[Read more]

1) I often have people paying for their adult children or other parties involved who don’t care to know or simply don’t want the stress of dealing with the financial side. I send the same contracts regardless, and both parties sign. I assume it’s a situation where if they don’t want to know financial details, they won’t read that section, but it’s…[Read more]

I read the article and have not been able to stop thinking about it. A patient advocate is being sued for doing a job we all do every day. I know very well that in CA it is crucial for a person to remain hospitalized if they have any chance of getting onto the MediCal Waiver program. The only way there would be a good outcome for her client was…[Read more]

Katie, I work with these Senior Housing placement professionals. I refer my clients to them, explaining in detail how they work on a commission basis. I am curious how you would “subcontract” with them, can you explain further? Thanks!

Hi Sunni,

See if there is a way to set your location to a Service Area, rather than a specific address. Google Business Profiles offer that option for businesses that don’t have a physical address. For example, my service area is listed in my Google business profile as “Atlanta Metropolitan Area, GA, USA”.

Hope this helps!
Ashley Abuel

Kimberly, I am replying here as a resource for others, and will also email you.

You may want to have the nephew reach out to https://agingwisdom.com/alzheimers-dementia-care-management/.

This is a care management company focusing on Dementia. They have been around for a very long time and have excellent reputation. Anytime I had reached out…[Read more]

Trisha,
As I wrote the above. I said out loud – Let’s hope Trisha responds to this. Trisha, I am an open book and I would absolutely let clients know she works on commission. You taught me well and the Allegiance Factor is such a big part of who we are as advocates. Your suggestions give me other ways to consider my scenario. I appreciate your…[Read more]

Katy – the question about the woman who works on commission boils down to allegiance. (This is what you read in the post you cited.) Since she is paid on commission, her allegiance has to be to the organization that pays her – and not to the client. Further, since there are probably numerous facilities that pay her varying commissions (not just…[Read more]

Thank you Katy for your question.

Hello Everyone,
I have a similar question: I know someone who is a licensed and certified Grief Counselor.
She told me she has a business license for something else but that her Grief Couseling falls under the license also. She wants to know is it possible for her to work with me in my advocate business, as a…[Read more]