Illness can strike anyone at any time. Even a well-prepared person can feel lost and confused when trying to navigate the US healthcare system. For those unable to find their way, there is assistance available from local community action agencies and patient advocates. The resources available to each community can differ, however the Patient Advocate Foundation (PAF) is a national non-profit organization that offers patient services with a mission to “safeguard patients through effective mediation, assuring access to care, maintenance of employment and preservation of financial stability.”
Founded in 1996, PAF’s primary purpose has been to provide direct services to patients, providers, family members and caregivers of those dealing with chronic, life-threatening, or debilitating conditions. There is no charge for their services as they assist as “active liaisons” working on behalf of the patient. Primarily phone-based interactions are provided by professional case managers provide real-time support for today’s healthcare challenges. Focusing on the areas of insurance barriers, employment preservation, financial stability and medical debt, PAF offers direct appeals assistance, reimbursement navigation, referrals to patient support programs—and many other services. PAF operates with more than 200 compassionate professionals offering secure, personalized, expert one-on-one assistance to patients around the country and has closed more than 780,000 cases since their inception.
PAF strives to ensure that a patient’s focus can be survivorship while their case managers assist with the potentially overwhelming hurdles encountered during their healthcare journey. Case management services can be reached toll-free at 1-800-532-5274 or by visiting www.patientadvocate.org/gethelp.
