Work for a patient-focused organization. There are organizations that focus on healthcare, insurance and payment system problems, even placement in rehab or nursing homes. They are private or not-for-profit organizations that work for a fee paid by the patient or his family. These organizations have begun to play a much larger role in the healthcare landscape and it won't be long before they become a part of the mainstream healthcare in the U.S.
Work for an individual patient, paid by the patient or by the patient's family. These advocates help those having trouble navigating the healthcare system who either can't get diagnosed, or can't find the proper treatment. Some of these advocates work on insurance problems helping to find payment resources or helping patients navigate their payment systems. They may be hired by family members who live too far away to provide support to a sick loved one, or who need a caregiver for their loved one who is ill because they are away at work all day.
Most advocates who work for individuals are self-employed entrepreneurs. Some of these entrepreneurs are building advocacy businesses and may hire additional advocates to work with them, in order to serve more patients.
Many patients advocates are volunteers. They assist loved ones, family members or friends in roles as bedside advocates in hospitals, caregivers, researchers -- or sometimes their most valuable role is simply to hold someone's hand or even transport them to appointments. Their compensation comes in the form of the satisfaction that comes from helping someone else.
