Health

Reader Submissions: When a Friend or Loved One is a Patient Advocate

Have you been a caregiver for someone you love? Or did a friend or loved one step up to help you? Maybe you went together to doctor appointments. Or did research about a diagnosis. Maybe you helped get billing and claims squared away or sat by a hospital beside and asked a nurse to wash his hands to prevent an infection from being spread.

As healthcare gets more confusing and frustrating, sometimes we have to step in to help those we love get through the system and get the healthcare they deserve.

Please share your story and what you learned to help others, too.

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Guest Name*

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Who I helped (or who helped me)*

Describe the challenges you or your loved one faced.*

What challenges created the need for you to step in (or for someone to step in on your behalf?)

How did you help? (or what help did someone give you?)*

What did you do to be sure your friend or loved one got the assistance they needed? Or how did someone help you?

Advice*

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How did it work out? Was there anything you would do differently? Any advice that others can use?

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