Did you know?
Did you know…?
Sunflower Health Advocates are the only board certified patient advocates (BCPA) in the Lawrence area.
What does it mean to be a board certified patient advocate?
This certification provides assurance that the advocates have met certain qualifications, including education and experience. It also gives the client a guarantee that the advocates abide by and uphold a level of professional responsibility. Individuals who have earned this certification are the most qualified to provide health advocacy services.
Patient advocacy certification that reflects the integrity of the profession because it requires specific standards, best practices, and ethics. It offers a level of merit to those who are providing the services. An advocate with BCPA behind their name means the individual has proven they have the skills, knowledge, and ethics to help you get safe and effective healthcare. People navigating healthcare often feel vulnerable, and hiring a certified advocate offers a level of confidence and trust.
Directories are available to help you access independent, professional health/patient advocates and care managers. If your healthcare has become overwhelming — whether it be your care or the cost of your care — these sites list trusted, qualified advocates who can offer help:
https://www.nahac.com/find-an-advocate#!directory/map
Once you have identified an advocate that may be able to help you, it is important to make sure they meet your expectations. These are some questions to ask:
What are your credentials related to advocacy?
Do you have errors and omission insurance, or professional liability insurance?
Does someone else pay you to help your clients? (This verifies there are no conflicts of interest.)
How do you set up your services?
How many people do you work with at one time?
Adding a professional health/patient advocate to your healthcare team will help you achieve the best possible outcomes from your care.