Top Docs 2008 Part IV: How to Fight Back

Where to Get…
A hired gun for your healthcare battles.

 

Patients who are dealing with long-term or more than one illness—plus the accompanying piles of bills and paperwork—may want to consider bringing in a ringer: the professional health advocate, a kind of insurance expert, medical authority, and street-market haggler rolled into one, who can deal with doctors and insurance companies on your behalf. This emerging industry runs from high-end (PinnacleCare offers not only a dedicated advocate, but also boutique-y touches like personal chefs and trainers, all starting at about $7,000 per year) to pay-as-you-go (North Andover–based Kramer Clinical Consulting bills hourly after an initial $300 consult) to free (the nonprofit Patient Advocate Foundation). 800-682-6002, pinnaclecare.com; 978-557-5757, kramerclinical.org; 800-532-5274, patientadvocate.org.