Media Summary 2009 - 2010
Patient Advocate Foundation has been featured in many publications and news articles over the years. Below is a summary of where we have appeared...2010:
August 2010
Nancy Davenport-Ennis, Co-founder and CEO of PAF, was interviewed for "Someone on Your Side, A new prescription for navigating the medical maze." published in the August 2010 edition of O Magazine.
View article
View article
July 2010
Insurance claim denied? You can do something about it
Cleveland Plain Dealer
By Diane Suchetka
July 28, 2010
http://www.cleveland.com/consumer-health/index.ssf/2010/07/insurance_claim_denied_you_can_do_something_about_it.html
This article from Cleveland Plain Dealer discusses the denial of health insurance claims and lists PAF as a resource for patients that have had an insurance claim denied. Specifically it states, “You can find a lot more advice on how to handle insurance claims and health-care costs at the website for the nonprofit Patient Advocate Foundation. There you'll find a guide to managed care, details on how to file an appeal – including sample letters – advice on how to talk to your doctor about costs and more.”
Hit a Health Care Home Run
Academy Insurance blog
July 27, 2010
http://www.academyinsurance.info/academy-insurance/hit-a-health-care-home-run.html
Academy Insurance blog and discusses options for those patients struggling with debt, which include:
- Communicate with your physician
- Know your benefits
- If you don't have insurance
- Save on co-pays or additional visits
- Practice good health habits
Intelligent Decision Announces Completion of Data Center Relocation for Patient Advocate Foundation
Energy Saving Weekly Tips
By Anshu Shrivastaa, TMCnet Contributor
July 24, 2010
http://www.energysavingweekly.com/intelligent-decision-announces-completion-of-data-center-relocation-for-patient-advocate-foundation/
EnergySavingWeekly.com reports that Gifted Decisions successfully completed an end-to-end data center relocation project for PAF in the move to Hampton.
Why You May Need a Health Advocate
AARP Bulletin
By Carolyn M. Clancy, M.D., AHRQ
July 23, 2010
http://www.aarp.org/health/doctors-hospitals/info-072010/my_medical_manager_using_a_health_advocate.html
This article from AARP: Bulletin covers information about health advocates and lists PAF as a resource in a pull-out box.
Grants for Cancer
eHow
By Courtney Houston
July 23, 2010
http://www.ehow.com/list_6759214_grants-cancer.html
This article from eHow lists non-profit organizations that provide help to cancer patients that are unable to cover treatments. The article lists Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, CancerCare and PAF’s Colorectal CareLine.
New Rules May Help Patients Turn A Health Insurer's 'No' Into 'Yes'
NPR
By Michelle Andrews
July 22, 2010
View the article
This article from NPR online and discusses new insurance rules that will be considered. The article states that PAF patient Rona Dondzilo from Spokane, WA who was denied coverage for treatment for endometrial cancer because her health plan said her condition was pre-existing, won her case with PAF’s help. The article also mentions PAF’s Tami Lewis. The NPR article was also printed in The Washington Post. However, it did not include information about PAF.
Paying for Treatment with Fibromyalgia & Chronic Fatigue Syndrome
About.com
by Adrienne Dellwo
July 21, 2010
http://chronicfatigue.about.com/b/2010/07/21/paying-for-treatment-with-fibromyalgia-chronic-fatigue-syndrome.htm#
A blog about fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue syndrome on About.com lists PAF as a resource for assistance with insurance access issues, medical debt and job retention.
Two New Publications where PAF was Interviewed
Previvors, Facing the Breast Cancer Gene and Making Life-Changing Decisions is a groundbreaking guide with the stories of five courageous women written by Dina Roth Port. Chapter Seven, entitled Money Matters features Nancy Davenport-Ennis and Patient Advocate Foundation throughout the 18 page chapter. PAF is also featured as a resource.
In summary, the book is about "Advances in genetic testing and risk assessment have changed the face of medicine, but with them has come a Pandora's box of dilemmas. Imagine discovering you had a significant risk for developing breast cancer. What would you do? Through the incredible true stories of five young friends, as well as interviews with more... than seventy top breast cancer experts, health writer Dina Roth Port addresses the universal questions of women everywhere who have watched family members suffer from the disease and wondered, "Am I next?" Full of practical information, Previvors is the first comprehensive book to guide women through the difficult process of determining their risk, weighing the options, and coping with the emotions of deciding to undergo surgery.
From navigating health insurance coverage to finding the right medical team, Previvors is an invaluable resource for women facing decisions about their risk and future health.For more information about the book go to http://www.dinarothport.com/previvors-book/
In summary, the book is about "Advances in genetic testing and risk assessment have changed the face of medicine, but with them has come a Pandora's box of dilemmas. Imagine discovering you had a significant risk for developing breast cancer. What would you do? Through the incredible true stories of five young friends, as well as interviews with more... than seventy top breast cancer experts, health writer Dina Roth Port addresses the universal questions of women everywhere who have watched family members suffer from the disease and wondered, "Am I next?" Full of practical information, Previvors is the first comprehensive book to guide women through the difficult process of determining their risk, weighing the options, and coping with the emotions of deciding to undergo surgery.
From navigating health insurance coverage to finding the right medical team, Previvors is an invaluable resource for women facing decisions about their risk and future health.For more information about the book go to http://www.dinarothport.com/previvors-book/
The New Health Care System, Everything you Need to Know David Nather’s book addresses such questions as "How does it work?", "What will it cover?", and “What's going to change?” This book will help you understand what will and will not change under the new law. In an easy, conversational manner, David Nather makes a complicated system easier to figure out by answering all your questions. PAF was quoted and reference in the very first chapter entitled “How Health Insurance Works."
www.newhealthcaresystembook.com
www.newhealthcaresystembook.com
Co-Pay & Prescription Assistance Programs
heprat blog
July 19, 2010
http://heprat.blogspot.com/2010/07/co-pay-prescription-assistance-programs.html
HEPRAT is written by a 57 year old white American male infected with Hepatitis C. The blog is about co-pay and prescription assistance programs and lists PAF’s Co-Pay Relief Program as a resource.
Burns: Make oral cancer meds available
The Tribune-Democrat
By Bernie Hornick
July 14, 2010
http://tribune-democrat.com/local/x961150978/Burns-Make-oral-cancer-meds-available
This article covered an event in Pennsylvania at the state Capitol where NPAF advocates visited to urge passage of the “oral chemotherapy co-pay” bill. The bill would require that cancer patients have access to all potentially life-saving therapies, including oral chemotherapy, by bringing down insurance co-pays.
Why It’s Wise to Use a Health Advocate
COPD News of the Day
By Dr. Carolyn Clancy
July 12, 2010
http://copdnewsoftheday.com/?p=3776
This article covers why it’s wise for patients to use a health advocate and lists PAF as a resource to help navigate the healthcare system. The article says that health advocates can:
- Ask questions or voice concerns to your doctor for you.
- Compile or update your medicine list.
- Remember your medication regimen and help you follow treatment instructions, including asking questions about your followup care.
- Help arrange transportation.
- Research treatment options, procedures, doctors, and hospitals.
- File paperwork or assist with insurance matters.
- Ask the "what's next" questions, such as, "If this test is negative what does it mean? If it's positive, will more tests be needed?"
Florida's Health Plan for the Uninsured Has Few Takers
Best Health Blog
July 10, 2010
http://besthealthblog.info/?p=3113
An article about ‘Cover Florida,' the state's unsubsidized private insurance program for the uninsured, was originally published in February 2010 and was posted on Best Health Blog in July. The article quotes Erin Moaratty.
Hampton group helps those lacking health insurance
The Virginian-Pilot
By Amy Jeter
July 4, 2010
View the article
This article from Amy Jeter was written a week after Amy’s article about high-risk insurance pools in Virginia came out. Amy became extremely interested to learn about PAF’s Virginia Cares Uninsured Program (VCUP) and felt that the program deserved an article of its own. Beth Patterson, Erin Moaratty and case manager Judith Storey are all quoted and/or mentioned in this article.
PAF Virginia Cares Uninsured Program Public Service Address.
Click here to listen to the public address on YouTube™.
June 2010
Pre-surgery homework can avert billing surprises
Associated Press
By Tom Murphy
June 1, 2010
View the article
This article from Tom Murphy discusses things to consider before checking into a hospital or outpatient surgery center for non –emergency care. Questions to ask include:
Will my procedure be covered?
Is preauthorization required?
Is everyone involved in the procedure in your insurer's network?
What will insurance cover?
What should you do if you have little or no insurance?
Erin Moaratty, Chief of External Communications, answered the last question, telling readers to "always try and negotiate."
Slow Payments: Not Your Problem?
Five ways to speed insurance payouts and reduce employee complaints, without adding cost
HR Magazine
By Rita Zeidner
June 1, 2010
This article covers company healthcare benefits and starts by stating that, "There are no concrete statistics, but many companies may be paying more for health benefits than mere claims data reflect—and the hidden costs lie in the untold hours HR professionals spend helping employees get to the bottom of wrongly denied claims."
PAF patient Rick Crusoe's story was included in the article along with the news of the Dateline NBC story. Erin Moaratty, Chief of External Communications, maintained that "PAF weighs research carefully before recommending an appeal and would not suggest that an employer cover experimental treatments unless evidence showed they were promising."
Patient Advocacy
That Stupid Cancer Show on BlogTalk Radio
Guest: Erin Moaratty, Chief of External Communications
http://stupidcancershow.com
Show lasted for 1.5 hours and covered patient advocacy and featured call in guests and cancer survivors.
Chronic Disease and Medication Assistance Programs
EmpowerHER Blog
by Cary Cook, BSN, RN
June 8, 2010
View the blog
This blog post lists different organizations, including PAF, that might be helpful for patients that are having trouble paying for medications or other costs associated with chronic illnesses.
Maximizing Payment From Your Insurance Plan
Patient Resource Cancer Guide
June 14, 2010
View the guide
This guide provided tips to help patients battling cancer succeed when it comes to health insurance, whether private insurance or Medicaid. Tips included:
If Possible, Work with One Person
Track Claims, Appeal Denials
Look for Ways to Reduce Drug Costs
If You’re Uninsured and Have Cancer
PAF was listed as a resource in the last section, "If You're Uninsured and Have Cancer."
Patient Advocate Programs
eHow.com
By Alissa Kinney
June 21, 2010
View the article
eHow.com contributing writer Alissa Kinney lists and writes about two patient advocacy organizations: National Patient Advocate Foundation and Stanford School of Medicine's Patient Advocacy Program. Alissa remarks that on one point all patient advocate programs seem to converge: to ensure that everyone has access to quality health care and treatment for everything from passing common illnesses to serious, life-altering conditions.
How to Deal With Health Insurance After Cancer Has Been Diagnosed
Free Insurance Quotes Blog
June 21, 2010
View the blog
This article discusses two sides of the cancer battle: treatment/recovery and benefits from your insurance provider, and gives readers tips to help the second half of the battle go more smoothly. The article goes on to list organizations where patients can get help, including the American Cancer Society, The Patient Advocate Foundation, or the National Association of Insurance Commissioners.
Healthcare Reform and Our Patients
ACCCBuzz (Association of Community Cancer Centers) Blog
June 21, 2010
View the blog
This blog post discusses a recent one-day summit titled “What Will Healthcare Reform Mean for Our Patients?” that included messages from health policy experts, government representatives and medical professionals. The clear message from the event: The real work of healthcare reform began after the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA) and the Health Care and Education Reconciliation Act (HCERA) made their way through Congress.
National Patient Advocate Foundation was listed in this article, along with Breast Cancer Action, Friends of Cancer Research, National Breast Cancer Coalition, and Ovarian Cancer National Alliance. This group of patient advocacy organizations filed a formal amicus brief defending he need for the health reform law’s minimum coverage provision being challenged by Attorney General Ken Cuccinelli in Virginia.
Getting health insurance to those who need it in Virginia
The Virginian-Pilot
By Amy Jeter
June 27, 2010
View the article
Amy Jeter covers the topic of high-risk health insurance pools in Virginia and told the story of PAF and VCUP patient Corey Lucas, who is an “uninsurable” because he has been denied coverage because of a pre-existing medical condition or he qualifies only for insurance with higher premiums.
Navigating the Maze of Disability
CureToday.com
By Bunmi Ishola
June 2010
Michelle Shanks, senior case manager at the Patient Advocate Foundation, was interviewed regarding disability issues patients are dealing with today.
View the article
March 30, 2010 PAF is mentioned in a WTKR "Take Action" segment entitled "Air force surgeon discusses health care reform and military families." In this segment a doctor discusses how the new healthcare bill will affect military families.
Click here to view the video on WTKR's website.
View video of the Dateline NBC segment featuring PAF and Richard Crusoe, a PAF patient that aired on Sunday, January 24, 2010. This segment featured three patients and included Mr. Crusoe's challenges in accessing potentially life-saving medical care and PAF's work on a compassionate appeal on his behalf.
2009:
November 23, 2009 Nancy Davenport-Ennis was interviewed last Friday with CBS news regarding the new cervical cancer screening testing guidelines, 28 CBS affiliates picked up the story. Below is a clip of the
interview.
CBS News in Los Angeles: http://www.keyc.tv/node/30490
Baltimore: http://wjz.com/local/cervical.cancer.2.1325401.html
November 5, 2009 PAF case manager Margie and patient Theresa Rattei were the focus of the AARP Magazine article "The Health Claim Game" written by Caroline E. Mayer for the November & December 2009 edition.
View article
October 9, 2009 MarketWatch article "Your health or your house: Patient advocates detail what health reform should deliver" features PAF patient Judith Hodges and PAF CEO and Co-founder Nancy Davenport-Ennis.
View article
September 12, 2009 Patient Advocate Foundation is featured in the New York Times article "After a Diagnosis, Someone to Help Point the Way" written by Leslie Alderman.
View article
July 17, 2009 Barbara Ciara from CBS news affiliate WTKR interviewed patient Joan Blalock, case managers Jamilla Williams and Margie Griffin, and Nancy Davenport Ennis. The 3 minute segment aired last night on the 6:00PM news on Channel 3 as the "Taking Action" segment.
View the video
June 2009 PAF Patient Priscilla Minter was interviewed on June 24th, 2009 on CNN. Priscilla Minter has colon cancer and speaks her medical expenses.
View the CNN Segment
May/June 2009: PAF Case Managers contributed to the AARP Magazine side bar titled "Can You Afford to Travel?" written by Alissa Ponchlone. By assisting patients with their needs for treatment, PAF Patient Services has answered many questions focused on travel expenses during treatment.
View article
View article
May/June 2009: Patients of PAF are the focus of the article "A Light Through the Fog" written by Jon Caswell. The article outlines the stories of two stroke patients that were guided by the case managers of PAF. View article
Spring 2009: The PAF Patient Data Analysis Report was referenced in the Spring 2009 Volume of INSIGHT, a newsletter published by the CDC. View article
March/April 2009: Edward G. Connette, JD, Executive Board Preident of PAF and NPAF, wrote the article "Legal Advocacy for Health Care and Health Insurance Issues" for the March/April 2009 edition of the North Carolina Medical Journal. The article speaks to the need for health care reform to include a resolution for the vast numbers of uninsured and underinsured. View article
