Who’s got your back? Who are your advocates? Broad questions, I know 🙂 Important questions when considering the importance of maintaining good health and staying on top of your finances.
Yes, who are your advocates or who are those who’ve got your back? In this crazy world that turns on a dime, having someone in your corner to be there for you when you need it is imperative.
Let’s get really specific for a minute. Navigating the health care process including insurance is a herculean task! It’s not for the faint of heart, especially if testing (investigating) or procedures are required.
Think about finances for a minute. Who can keep up with your payments and accounts if you’re not able? Let’s look at these two vital areas of your life and consider everything involved.
Health Care
The term advocate or patient advocate is used often in health care. The Washington State Health Advocacy Association says, an advocate can be defined as an individual who provides direct and personalized services to a patient and/or their family as they navigate the healthcare system. Health advocates also engage in activities that promote health and access to health care in communities and the larger public.
AND, there are many health advocates with or without the above credentials, who have personal experience through their own illness or from assisting a family member. These people become advocates for others going through a similar process or illness.
Interview potential advocates. It’s important to determine qualifications, experience and disposition of a potential advocate. Ask questions about how they can help you, their background and their rates. Asking them to assess your situation and present possibilities for you is well worth an up-front investment before making a commitment.
Health Insurance is separate beast all together! Holy Moly, understanding the terms used by the doctors, hospitals and insurance companies is tough. Understanding if doctors or hospitals outsource testing or procedures, what is “in-network” or not, if other providers are “in-network” or not important points that impacts our personal financial bottom line.
Researching this about medical care providers and your insurance provider takes time and effort, even when you’re not in the middle of a personal health scare. How do we get the information we need? ASK Questions, lots of questions before (if humanly possible) you proceed with any test, procedure or treatment.
For help understanding terms and definitions, check out this blog post from https://www.healthcare.gov/blog/understand-health-insurance-definitions/
Finances
Think about all the ways money and finances play a role in your day to day life. If there was an interruption of any kind in your life, have you made plans for who and how someone could pay your bills and manage your finances? Believe me, I know this is hard to process and there are zillion other things you’d rather do.
But …
Because of my work with a family after their son was critically injured and unable to take care of anything, I learned they knew nothing about his daily dealings. He wasn’t able to communicate. We were stalled.
Privacy laws are protective for many reasons. Without advanced preparation, a 3rd party attempting to obtain details to pay someone’s rent, mortgage, car payment, utilities, dues, cell phone bills, insurance policies, credit card bills and all the other day-to-day things may not be possible.
The last thing we need if we are unconscious / unable to pay our bills, is to wake up and find we don’t have a place to live or continuing services. It’s up to each of us to secure ourselves as best we can with a clear mind and the ability to jump through the hoops required of us to do it correctly.
This lesson taught me that no matter how hard the conversation would be in the years ahead, I would take steps to protect myself and talk about it broadly. And, I’m here to let you know that you can too! Keep your head up, even when in the sand 🙂
Let’s get you ready to go and get started with the information you need to proceed! You, your families/pets and your work will thank you.
For additional information about me, check out my website: https://thelivingplanner.com Have questions, email me: Lynn@thelivingplanner.com
Can you believe it’s August? Enjoy summer while it’s here 🙂 –Lynn
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