Frequently Asked Questions

Medical care is complex: from the insurance, to billing, to the medical language.

If you have a legal problem, you consult lawyer to help you navigate the legal system. You may use an accountant to help you with tax preparation.

A private medical advocate is hired by you, and has your interests first. It is like having a member of your family with you and she/he will advocate/protect you in the health care settings.

The role of a Patient Advocate is twofold. The first role is to act as the patient’s coordinator of care, and the second role is to act as the patient’s champion by navigating the patient through the complex maze of the health care world – all while honoring the patient and family’s primary goals.

Concierge Medical Advocates LLC partners with our clients and their families to meet the client’s comprehensive medical, emotional and personal needs with a team of registered nurses, social workers, experienced billing professionals, and Pharmacists (Doctors of Pharmacy). We offer services to our clients who range from the newborn to the golden years.

Your CMA personal advocate can accompany you to office visits or be with you or your loved ones at their bedside when family cannot be present.

CMA will develop a plan with our clients to evaluate the scope of health care, living arrange, personal care needs.

CMA will assist with education about the disease progress. An informed client/family makes better decisions. We take our time and educate at the speed of the client.

CMA will accompany the client to the doctor visits and advocate with the patient. We can ask question because we speak the same language as the medical professional, and we have medical knowledge to ask the questions. Your advocate will discuss the reason for the visit and help you express your needs and concerns to the doctor.

CMA will summarize your visit in writing (electronically) so you have current copy of the visit outcome and list of current medication. We will update your home journal. If requested, we will update family members as directed by our client.

CMA will assist the client in understanding hospital procedures. We will assist in helping our client to understand their insurance coverage.

CMA will assist families with difficult “end of life” talks in the comfort of their homes.

CMA can assist in finding alternative living arrangements and assist in finding live-in home care.

CMA can assist with second opinion, alternative health options.

CMA can assist with travel heath care needs of the client.

CMA have expert billing and medicare coding staff to assist in bill review and medical claims.

CMA has social workers to assist patients in areas of medicare and medicaid benefits, as well as social programs.

Yes. CMA often works with clients to help coordinate care at assisted living communities. Services range from attending doctor visits, to checking to assure the medications are being taken as directed. We can also do “just dropping by” on the clients to assure care is given to them appropriately.

Yes, CMA does try to accommodate all clients. Remote assistance may be an option for some clients.

CMA is your advocate, and the medical community welcomes the help with care coordination and communication with families. Your advocate works with your health care team to assure that your care is what you want and it is the very best care possible.

Some of the advocate’s work is of the organization of the medical history. Interviewing of the client begins with a complete history from the patient or family members. The history is then written and updated as needed. It is a continuation of the medical story. Medications are reviewed with the client. If coaching is needed, the advocates work in the home of person.

The medications are reviewed with a doctor of pharmacy to verify doses and drug interactions. The medication list is updated with any changes.

We will encourage the client to keep a journal, if needed, for symptom control. The client should take the journal of the history, the latest test results, all medication lists to every medical visit. Our patient advocates will continuously update the journal for the client.

Keeping an updated journal helps the health care team (many clients see 3 plus doctors) understand what is the most up-to-date information.  This saves time and reduces errors in medication and misunderstanding with the health care team.

The cost of Concierge Medical Advocates is $140 per hour, plus itemized expenses. The bills are based on 1/2 hour increments.  Invoices are sent monthly. All invoices are due in full within 30 days.

We accept cash, checks, credit/debit cards (Visa, MasterCard and Discover). All clients must have a credit card/debit card on file as backup.