Medical Advocacy
- Attending Doctor Appointments
- Medication Analysis
- Medical Bill Review
- Treatment Compliance
- Patient Advocacy
- Crisis Intervention
- Benefits Review
- Coordinating In-Home Services
Attending Doctor Appointments
Our Registered Nurse Advocates are available to accompany patients to appointments with primary care physicians and other medical professionals. Our clients can benefit from having an experienced registered nurse at their side during a doctor’s appointment to help them ask questions, understand treatment options, clarify the doctor’s instructions, and address any pertinent questions the doctor may have regarding their medical history or medications.
Following the doctor’s visit, your Registered Nurse Advocate can help arrange follow-up visits, coordinate referrals to specialists, and address any questions you may have following your appointment.
Return to topMedication Analysis
Adverse drug reactions are one of the leading reasons a senior will visit an emergency department. While many believe their doctor or pharmacist is monitoring their medications for potentially negative consequences, this isn’t always the case, especially if over-the-counter medications or supplements are part of the daily pill regimen.
IKOR of Columbus can perform a medication analysis to identify which prescriptions, over-the-counter medications, and supplements may interact to create an adverse reaction or lead to undesirable feelings, such as fatigue, nausea, or dizziness. When many specialists are involved, it is not uncommon for patients to be prescribed duplicate or offsetting medications.
Our Registered Nurse Advocates will work with the prescribing physician to optimize the medications a client is taking. This reduces the likelihood of an adverse reaction and can help lower the overall costs of medications.
Return to topMedical Bill Review
Because medical billing errors have become commonplace, experts recommend not paying a medical bill unless the information on the bill is understood. IKOR of Columbus has the necessary expertise to understand your insurance company’s explanation of benefits, or Medicare coverage, ensuring your bill is error-free and you are not being overcharged.
If we find errors, we can work with the biller on your behalf to correct them.
Treatment Compliance
The fastest road to recovery is following the doctor’s prescribed treatment plan. Poor adherence to a treatment plan can slow recovery or lead to other medical complications, both of which cost the patient money and keep them from enjoying activities and time with friends and family.
IKOR of Columbus’s Registered Nurse Advocates can enhance an individual’s overall healthcare by assisting them in following their treatment plan. Should the anticipated outcomes of the treatment plan occur more slowly than expected, the Registered Nurse Advocate will coordinate with the doctor to adjust the treatment plan, helping to ensure a timely recovery.
Return to topPatient Advocacy
Our team of life care managers includes highly experienced Registered Nurse Advocates. Our RN Advocates attend doctor appointments with clients, help them understand treatment options, coordinate care between primary care physicians and specialists, and ask questions to ensure our clients receive the best care and treatment options available.
To learn more about how patient advocates can enhance the quality of an individual’s healthcare, visit our Patient Advocate page in the Resource Center.
Return to topCrisis Intervention
When an individual experiences a sudden and unforeseen medical emergency, it can be difficult for family members or close friends to set aside their emotions and work with medical professionals to determine the best course of action.
As part of our patient advocacy, IKOR of Columbus’s Registered Nurse Advocates are prepared to step in during a medical crisis to ensure that the patient’s treatment wishes are being honored. Additionally, they help family members understand the treatment options being proposed as well as the benefits and risks associated with each treatment option.
Return to topBenefits Review
Surveys consistently reveal that consumers often misunderstand their insurance benefits, potentially leaving money on the table or paying for medical services that their insurance should cover. IKOR of Columbus’s Personal Needs Coordinators are skilled at reviewing insurance policy coverage and explanation of benefits to ensure a beneficiary is receiving the benefits they are due.
Our Personal Needs Coordinators also understand government benefits. They can help guide you through the application process and the appeals process or recommend expert assistance should you have a complex case.
Return to topCoordinating In-Home Services
In-home care services are becoming increasingly common and play a crucial role in helping individuals remain safe and independent in the comfort of their own homes.
IKOR of Columbus coordinates across the spectrum of home care services and can help you find the best provider tailored to your specific situation. From non-medical in-home care to hospice care, you can trust us to find and manage the best provider in the Columbus area for your needs.
Once you have selected a provider, our Registered Nurse Advocate will conduct announced and unannounced visits to ensure that the highest quality care is being provided and that care plans are being followed.
Return to top