Get To Know Our Patient Advocates
At Altus Infusion we’re proud to introduce out Patient Advocates! For most patients, navigating through the healthcare system is not only intimidating, but can also add to their already elevated stress levels.
However, thanks to the help of our Patient Advocates, the process can be simplified, and much of the stress hopefully alleviated.
What is a Patient Advocate?
The Patient Advocates are healthcare professionals who helps guide patients through the healthcare system and is just one of the value-added services provided by Altus Infusion to providers and patients.
Although the role of our Patient Advocates is always adapting to the healthcare systems needs, we can define three primary duties they perform:
1. Help Patients Understand Their Insurance Coverage
Some patients have difficulty understanding what their health insurance will cover and how much out-of-pocket expenses they may incur.
Because of this, one of the most important tasks of our Patient Advocates is to help patients and their loved ones:
- Understand how their insurance works
- How much they can expect to pay out-of-pocket
2. Handling Patient Questions or Concerns
Another of their essential duties is to address any questions or conerns of the patient or their loved ones regarding the service they expect to or have already received.
Understandably, patients with chronic diseases are under much stress, and any small inconvenience or issue, such as a delay at the doctor’s office, can generate discomfort. The Patient Advocate can help address them and ensure the patient is heard and understood.
3. Payment Support
Our Patient Advocates work closely with our billing department to ensure that patients are accurately charged for their treatments.
Additionally, they follow up on claims to verify that the insurance company appropriately paid amounts as stated in the patient’s insurance policy.
For those patients who need financial assistance, our team can direct the patient to charitable organizations, that if the patient qualifies for, can provide financial support.
Getting to Know Our Team
We wanted to know what inspires our Patient Advocates, so we sat down for a chat with two of our team members.
First, we spoke to Christina Aragon, one of our Patient Advocate Team Leaders.
Q/ Christina, can you tell us what inspired you to become a Patient Advocate?
A/ The opportunity to help people who are in pain and get them on treatment.
Q/ How has your career as a Patient Advocate shaped who you are today?
A/ I feel it has helped me understand on a deeper level how pain really affects our patients.Now I’m more understanding when it comes to people and their quality of life and how it can be shut down if they don’t receive their treatment.I’m more empathetic towards others than I was before.
Q/ What is most exciting about working as a Patient Advocate at Altus Infusion?
A/ I find great satisfaction in speaking with our patients and hearing how the treatment has helped them greatly.
Q/ What are some of your interests and hobbies outside of your career as a Patient Advocate?
A/ I enjoy reading books when I get a moment.My family and I enjoy going fishing and going to the beach and camping.
Q/ If you could have dinner with one historical/influential/inspirational figure, whom would it be and why?
A/ I would have to say Crazy Horse who was a war leader/chief of the Oglala tribe. He was a great man with grand visions and wisdom. I would love to sit with him and pick his brain. Mostly, listen to the stories that he has to share and learn from what he says.
We then sat with another one of our Patient Advocate Team Leaders, Kenneshia Walker. This is what we learned from her.
Q/ Kenneshia, tell us what inspired you to become a Patient Advocate?
A/ The healthcare field can be complex, and patient care coordination has many different processes. I want to ensure the patients I encounter understand the process and receive their treatment without delay.
Q/ How has your career as a Patient Advocate shaped who you are today?
A/ Patient advocacy has assisted in honing my patient care and multi-tasking skills. Learning different aspects of patient care helps me ensure that our patients are well taken care of. I also have an interest in managing healthcare operations
Q/ What is most exciting about working as a Patient Advocate at Altus Infusion?
A/ The excitement of contacting patients to inform them they are approved for treatment.
Q/ What are some of your interests and hobbies outside of your career as a Patient Advocate?
A/ I enjoy reading, traveling, and trivia games.
Q/ If you could have dinner with one historical/influential/inspirational figure, whom would it be and why?
A/ I would like to have dinner with Jeff Bezos. Not only is he the founder of my favorite place to shop, but he also owns The Washington Post and Blue Origin which is an aerospace company that is developing a rocket for commercial use. I would like to discuss business strategies, motivations and brainstorming ideas.
At Altus Infusion, we pride ourselves on the level of service we provide to both proviers and their patients.
Our Patient Advocates contribute immensely to the wellbeing of patients, and thus it’s become one of our most essential services
We commend our entire Patient Advocate team for the great work they perform every day.
