(847) 922-8338

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How I Can Help
Using my extensive personal knowledge of the healthcare industry to assist families and individuals through the often confusing and overwhelming medical care system. Services include:
* Reviewing, coordinating and organizing medical bills and related paperwork, including third party benefits & payments
*Assisting patients and their families understand the coverage options in which they are currently enrolled or which are available to them
*Providing guidance in assessing post-hospitalization options (home care, assisted living, nursing home)
*Preparing personal healthcare documentation, including prescription & medical provider information
As an unbiased third party I can help eliminate some of the family stresses of dealing with financial & family issues such as: caring for elderly family members, families geographically distant trying to care for an ailing relative, families caring for individuals with special needs or chronic illness.
I can successfully interpret the technical terminology & confusing paperwork associated with patient care so that it is understandable to patients and their families.

Formal Education
De Paul University, MBA
Northwestern University, BME

Why I Became a Professional Healthcare Advocate
My career in health care administration was spent in explaining the confusing terminology to patients and their families, negotiating on behalf of the client with private insurance companies, Medicare, and Medicaid, as well as creating benefit programs for corporate clients.

I have personally experienced the often overwhelming health care system as a patient and with family members who were unable to represent themselves.

During the stressful and confusing times of being a patient in the health care system, it is important to know that someone is on your side: representing you and your wishes, able to explain in terminology you understand, what is happening, why it is happening, and what questions to ask, and offering assistance in settling billing matters which appear to be in error.

-Very comfortable dealing with multi-cultural environments
-Experienced in appealing insurance decisions and negotiating with hospital billing departments

Professional Organizations and Affiliations
CCRN (Critical Care Nursing) 1978-2009
Executive/administrative experience in private practice, medical center pharmacy, and home health care settings.
Responsible for all patient billing & insurance audits for the Pharmacy Department of an 1100 bed facility.
Routine interaction and negotiation with Medicare, Medicaid, and private insurance companies regarding coverage and billing issues for a primarily geriatric patient population receiving skilled home care services.
7 years on Board of Directors of the Illinois Home Care Council, serving as Chairman: Task Force on Fraud & Abuse, Legislative Affairs Committee, Medicaid Task Force
Benefit coordination programs at the corporate level: negotiating employee medical benefit plans, coordinating workman's compensation claims & disability programs.

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