1. Episode 13: Patient Navigators – Helping You Navigate a Complicated Healthcare System Sandy Kibling 11:41

In 2021 my husband and I had gained the responsibility for caring for our Dad.  He had many health issues, bad habits and was adapting to a new life and new location. 

My husband works in finance, and I work in healthcare so I thought I could take the lead to navigate the system.  We navigated the Veteran’s Administration, commercial insurance, Medicare and Medicaid federal programs and, researched independent living and assisted living, home care, and medication management programs. You name it we researched it, and it was mind boggling and exhausting.

 At one point we were at our wits end and so frustrated that it had be that complicated.  Thankfully the light for us was the patient navigators that helped us along the way.  We didn’t even know they existed.

What we will discuss:

1.     What is the role of a Patient Navigator and the differences whether it is from a health insurance perspective or the provider perspective?

2.     Key areas where a Patient Navigator can assist.

3.     Ways to find a Patient Navigator to assist you!

Resources:

ZocDoc – Patient Navigators

 Even Docs Can’t Even Navigate Our Broken Health Care System

 Care Navigators – Your Healthcare Advocate

 Breaking Down The Basics of Patient Navigation…Care Coordination

 How to Find, Interview, and Choose a Patient Advocate

 Patient Advocate Foundation – FAQ

Sandy Kibling Get Savvy... Demystifying Healthcare

Sandy is a health care professional having served in numerous roles including physician consulting and working for a large healthcare insurance company. She has worked on the frontline addressing physician and subscriber issues and has heard first-hand the frustration and concern about affordability and navigating a complicated healthcare system.

Sandy’s passion is to create a trusted source with Get Savvy…Demystifying Healthcare a podcast that breaks down the complexity of healthcare and empowers consumers to navigate the healthcare system.