www.beaconpatientsolutions.com :: (617) 651-2140

The Patient Advocate You Need

Volume 5, Issue 7, September 2022

Hi Subscriber First Name

It is a busy time for healthcare planning! We are approaching the time of the year for open enrollment for health insurance through the marketplace and through Medicare (see details below to prepare).

This month’s newsletter highlights my e-book (get it for FREE with a newsletter subscriber only promo code), details about creating and compiling your Healthcare Advocacy PLAN, details about our 5th Navigating Solo Discussion Group cohort, and a summary of healthcare advocacy services I offer!

As always, you can help others learn more about the importance and impact of working with an independent board certified patient advocate and the solutions I work toward simply by passing my name and this newsletter along to friends, family members, and colleagues.

Navigating the complexities of the healthcare system can be stressful and time consuming. Contact me so that I can help ease the burden.

Thank you for your support,
Ailene Gerhardt, MA, BCPA
Independent Board Certified Patient Advocate
Founder, Beacon Patient Solutions LLC

This month’s newsletter includes:

• Open Enrollment: Health Insurance Marketplace & Medicare 2023

• Health Care Advocacy in the News

• 5th Cohort of Navigating Solo Discussion Group

• E-Book: My Health Information

• Creating Your PLAN

• How I Can Help

It is a busy time in healthcare!
The federal (insurance through the health insurance marketplace) open enrollment period runs from Open Enrollment for 2023 runs November 1, 2022 – January 15, 2023 for health insurance coverage beginning in 2023. You can view the details of plans offered through the Massachusetts Health Connector website here.

The Medicare open enrollment period is also on its way: October 15 - December 7, 2022.

Have questions? Check out these resources:

• CMS Medicare and You 2023

• Here are tips to get ready now from Medicare.gov!

• The Kaiser Family Foundation also has information about the Medicare Open Enrollment Period!

• Medicare Interactive also has a wonderful resource for understanding Medicare Open Enrollment!

• AARP Tips for Medicare Open Enrollment

• AARP Medicare Enrollment Guide:

Beacon Patient Solutions in the News:

• WebMD: Tips for Calling Your Health Insurance Company. I was thrilled to be able to offer some tips when reaching out to your insurance company!

• Are you curious how an independent advocate can be of assistance to a client, friend, family member, colleague, or community member? I was grateful to be a guest of the Tufts Medical Center's Aging Strong program. Thanks to Quincy Access TV for editing the recording and making it available to the public and thanks to Debbie Lyn Toomey, coordinator of the Tufts Medical Center’s Aging Strong Injury Prevention Program for inviting me to participate! You can view our discussion here.

• Thanks to Paulette Lee for a wonderful conversation about independent patient advocacy and solo aging on her WomanWorthy podcast! Hear it here!

Health Care Advocacy in the News:

• Marshall Allen, author of Never Pay the First Bill, offers a free e-newsletter filled with useful resources regarding understanding medical billing and more!

• The No Surprises Act protects people covered under group and individual health plans from receiving surprise medical bills when they receive most emergency services, non-emergency services from out-of-network providers at in-network facilities, and services from out-of-network air ambulance service providers. Read more here!

• WebMD: Be Your Own Health Advocate

Create Your Customized Healthcare Advocacy PLAN

Are you or do you know an aging adult who is without the support of adult children or close family members? Learn more about our Solo Agers Advocacy Initiative for services designed to meet your specific needs.

How I Can Help!

There are many ways healthcare consumers can benefit from working with an independent patient advocate.

Consultations:
I often work with clients over weeks or months to help them reach their healthcare advocacy goals. Sometimes, the opportunity to ask questions or talk through a healthcare situation is the only immediate service a prospective client may initially need. To assist, I offer the opportunity to schedule a one hour phone consultation to meet that need. Email me to find out more.

Additional Services Include: research regarding a recent diagnosis, care coordination, preparation for an upcoming medical appointment, compiling and filing insurance/Medicare appeals, understanding medical bills, and insurance coverage and more!

Are you or do you know a solo ager? The SOLO AGERS Advocacy Initiative was created to meet the support and planning needs of Solo Agers. Initiative members work one-on-one with me to identify and organize healthcare concerns, carefully craft their support team, and learn how to navigate the opportunities and challenges of solo aging. Now is the perfect time to get started! Join a Navigating Solo discussion group to connect with others!

Community Education Talks: I have offered over 80 talks hosted by community and professional organizations in Belmont, Brookline, Cambridge, Concord, Lexington, Needham, Newton, Sudbury, Watertown, Wellesley, and Winchester since 2018!

Visit my Speaking Engagements web page to book a talk for your group, organization, or community.

About Beacon Patient Solutions LLC:
Beacon Patient Solutions LLC helps clients navigate the choppy waters of today’s complex healthcare system by empowering them to become educated and confident health care consumers. We are client focused, uniquely knowledgeable, and engage clients to ask the right questions, seek good answers, and secure reliable resources.  We provide patient advocacy services in the Greater Boston Area, throughout Massachusetts, and nationwide. Visit our website to learn more:  www.beaconpatientsolutions.com.