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Hospital Patient Advocates

Table of Contents


Overview

How can a hospital patient advocate help you?

Most hospitals have one or more patient advocates on staff. They are people you and your family can turn to for help in dealing with various problems you may have during your hospital stay.

An advocate may:

Where else can you get professional support?

Not all hospitals have patient advocates. But you may be able to find help elsewhere.

The Patient Advocate Foundation (www.patientadvocate.org) offers free advice and assistance to people who need help with medical bills and insurance company appeals.

How can friends and family help?

Having a relative or friend as your helper during your hospital stay is always a good idea. Depending on your condition, this helper can:

Ideally, this helper will also be the person you have named as your health care agent.


Credits for Hospital Patient Advocates

Current as of: August 6, 2023

Author: Healthwise Staff (https://www.healthwise.org/specialpages/legal/abouthw/en)
Clinical Review Board (https://www.healthwise.org/specialpages/legal/abouthw/en)
All Healthwise education is reviewed by a team that includes physicians, nurses, advanced practitioners, registered dieticians, and other healthcare professionals.


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