The Vital Role of Patient Advocates
According to a study by John Hopkins Medicine, medical errors were found to be the 3rd leading cause of death in the U.S., accounting for more than 250,000 deaths annually.
When faced with an acute medical illness or the unexpected decline of a loved one’s health, fear and uncertainty can grip us. Similarly, managing a chronic condition can feel like an uphill battle, especially within the complex healthcare landscape.
Here are some of the benefits of having a private Patient Advocate
Understanding Your Health Condition: Patient Advocates demystify medical terminology, translating it into plain language. They empower you with knowledge about your diagnosis, prognosis, and available treatment options.
Guiding Through the Healthcare Maze: The system can be overwhelming, but Advocates serve as your compass. They navigate health appointments, hospital stays, assist with discharge planning, and insurance difficulties, ensuring you are on the right path.
Amplifying Your Voice: Your Health and Your Voice matters! Advocates ensure your voice is heard during medical discussions.
Advocate for Quality of Life:We collaborate with healthcare providers to create personalized care plans, bridging any gaps in your treatment.
The result? Improved quality of life!
I enhance my clients’ understanding of health and wellness, ensuring they receive quality healthcare services!
Who We Are
Who We Are
Our Health Journey
Tanesha Owens, a board-certified Acute Care Nurse Practitioner, and board-certified Patient Advocate, has dedicated over two decades to caring for others. Her passion for nursing led her to advocate tirelessly for her patients and their families, delivering exceptional care.
In 2017, Tanesha faced an unexpected health crisis when she was diagnosed with a rare neurological disorder that left her paraplegic and blind. Despite her extensive healthcare knowledge and a supportive network of friends and family, she grappled with feelings of isolation and fear of the unknown. Advocating for herself became a challenge due to the nature of her illness.
This profound experience drove Tanesha to ensure that no one should face medical uncertainties alone or navigate a complex health system without ongoing support. With determination, intensive therapy, and the grace of God, she regained her vision and the ability to walk once more. Her journey exemplifies resilience and compassion, inspiring others to persevere even in the face of adversity.
Tanesha, drawing from her own personal journey of navigating a sudden acute illness and now living with a chronic health condition, possesses a deep understanding of the day-to-day challenges her clients’ encounters. She recognizes the significance of having a compassionate and knowledgeable advocate by their side, fighting on their behalf. Tanesha’s unwavering commitment to effecting positive change in healthcare stems from her faith and her sense of calling from God.
John 13:14-15 says “and since I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another’s feet. I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you.”
Tanesha’s husband is a remarkable four-time cancer survivor. Throughout his journey, Tanesha stood by his side as a fierce advocate, collaborating closely with his team of clinicians. Her unwavering commitment ensured that he received the finest care, where his voice was not only heard, but actively included in the decision-making process. This comprehensive approach prioritized both his emotional well-being and physical needs.
The COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 instilled a great deal of fear in our communities, healthcare providers, and hospitals. Tanesha found herself advocating for her family, friends, and colleagues more than ever before. She began by lending a listening ear and providing moral support. Her role soon expanded to phone consultations, where she helped people understand their health and treatment options, collaborating with their care providers, and advising them on when to seek medical attention. Tanesha realized that having a patient advocate was crucial and made a positive impact on the mental and physical health of those she assisted.
Our Services
Caring Independent Patient Advocate Services for Individuals & Families
You will find Patient Advocates scattered throughout the healthcare system. What sets us apart is that we work for you and only you! We are along for the ride on your medical journey offering our special assistance in finding the right resources specific to your needs. We offer a wide variety of services to assist our valued clients in navigating the healthcare process.
Medical
Guidance
We will help you understand your medical diagnosis, prognosis, and treatment options.
We provide educational tools to empower
Case Management Assistance
Efficient Supply Management: Optimize home medical supply management to ensure timely availability of essential items. This includes monitoring inventory levels
Eldercare & Home Health
Comprehensive Assessments: We conduct thorough in-home safety assessments to ensure your well-being.
Assisted Living Research: Our team continuously...
Medical Billing & Insurance
Simplified Billing Assistance: We will review your medical bills, explain insurance plans, guide you through paperwork, and clarify the billing process (including in-hospital vs...
Patient Advocates Can Help Navigate a Rehab Journey
Most healthcare advocates in the GNA directory can assist patients from anywhere in the country via telephone or video-conferencing tools like Facetime, Zoom and Skype.
If you live in an underserved area or can’t find a local patient advocate that meets your specific needs, we encourage you to search nationwide for an advocate that offers virtual support. It’s easy, simply search without entering a location, and look for the “TeleAdvocacy Available” checkmark on the resulting listings.
Review Testimony
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Tanesha loves to help people and cares about meeting their needs. Her healthcare expertise helped me to better understand what to expect during my time in the hospital. She helped ease my worries when I was being discharged too soon. I am grateful for the services All About You provided!
Thank you!
If we did not have you to advocate for my husband’s health plan, explain the medical procedures ordered, interpret test results, and call for moral support, I know that his care and recovery would have been much more difficult.
Your advocacy, support and knowledge were priceless and assured us when we were so unsure that we were making good medical decisions. The medical staff, without a doubt, did treat us differently when you conferenced with them on our behalf. You were able to articulate with confidence what was expected and as a result my husband got better care and attention. We are eternally grateful for the support, time and love you poured into us. It gave my husband the strength and confidence to get well. My prayers are that every patient and family would have a Tanesha to support and advocate for them when dealing with the healthcare system.
Love and blessings,
Reviews
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Frequently Asked Questions
A Patient Advocate acts as a vital link between healthcare providers and their patients. Their primary role is to help patients understand critical information about their overall health and well-being, empowering them to make informed medical decisions. Whether they are a medical professional, family member, or friend, a Patient Advocate collaborates directly with clients (or their legal representatives) to ensure that their voices are heard regarding care, treatment options, and available resources.
At Health Advocates of New Jersey, our Independent Health Advocates collaborate closely with clients and collaborate with their healthcare providers. We assist in creating personalized care plans, addressing any gaps in care, and enhancing overall quality of life. Our experienced healthcare professionals recognize the challenges of navigating the complex healthcare landscape. That is why we are enthusiastic about guiding those we serve.
A private patient advocate is committed solely to you. We prioritize your best interests, ensuring that your needs and well-being come first. In contrast, hospital-employed advocates, while occasionally offering valuable insights, serve the hospital’s interests. Their primary function revolves around supporting the hospital system rather than advocating for you as an individual.
Remember, when it comes to your health and care, having an advocate who truly represents your voice can make all the difference.
We are proud to be based in the State of New Jersey, where we offer our comprehensive patient advocacy services. Our primary focus is on residents living within New Jersey. However, we recognize that health challenges know no boundaries, and we receive requests from clients’ family members residing in other states across the nation. These caring individuals seek our assistance for their loved ones who also happen to reside in New Jersey.
Our commitment to accessibility extends beyond geographical limitations. Through innovative approaches, we bridge distances by providing our services via conference calls and face-to-face video chat meetings. Additionally, our collaboration with skilled, board-certified patient advocates who share our mission, vision, and goals allows us to expand our scope of practice and resources. Together, we ensure that our clients’ needs are met, regardless of their location.
Customized Care: When you pay out of pocket, your care is not dictated by insurance limitations.
Patient-Centric Approach: Advocates work solely for your benefit, aiming to improve the quality of your care.
Stress Reduction: Knowing you have an expert advocate reduces stress during medical challenges.
Cost-Effective in the Long Run: Better coordination of care often leads to cost savings and improved outcomes.
In summary, while insurance does not cover private patient advocate services, investing in an advocate can significantly enhance your healthcare journey.
