BERKELEY, Calif., May 19, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- When Bob Whitlow, a paraplegic, became frustrated with the care he was receiving at a skilled nursing facility, he called a family meeting to come up with a plan for resolving the issue that led to contacting professional healthcare advocate Joanna Smith, CEO, Healthcare Liaison, Inc. The MarketWatch / Wall Street Journal Digital Network story illustrating how Joanna stepped in to help Bob, can be viewed at www.healthcareliaison.com/blog
"The rapid growth of the healthcare advocacy profession reflects the growing complexity of today's healthcare system," says Smith, who is also president of the National Association of Healthcare Advocacy Consultants. "It can really be overwhelming."
Four years ago Healthcare Liaison established the nation's first Healthcare Advocate Credentialing Program to meet the needs of the rapidly growing healthcare advocacy profession.
Role of private healthcare advocates. According to Smith, private healthcare advocates assist clients of all ages in dealing with a number of healthcare related issues, including assessing treatment options; identifying and arranging appropriate resources; and intervening with insurers to help resolve payment or coverage issues. "Private healthcare advocates work directly for their clients and do not receive reimbursement from any other source," says Smith. "They may utilize a face-to-face model or a telephonic- based system, but the goal is the same: to guide the consumer through the complexities of the healthcare system."
About Healthcare Liaison. Healthcare Liaison is a private healthcare advocacy practice focused on complex medical case management. CEO Joanna Smith, LCSW, MPH founded Healthcare Liaison in 2005 as a social entrepreneurship after a 25-year career working in San Francisco Bay Area healthcare systems. In 2007 she designed and initiated a credentialing program for people interested in becoming healthcare advocates. Successful completion of the program enables graduates to use the designation "CHA" (Certified Healthcare Advocate) after their names. For more information visit: www.healthcareliaison.com.
SOURCE Healthcare Liaison
