Gray, MAINE (January 9, 2012) – Patient Advocates, LLC announces the hiring of Katie Bernier as a Communications Specialist.

Katie Bernier

In this new position, Bernier will be responsible for creating and delivering communication materials to support the ability of patients to better utilize the various health programs offered by Patient Advocates. Bernier will also assist in developing presentations and maintaining a strong social media presence. Bernier is experienced in using Illustrator, Photoshop, InDesign, Final Cut Pro, and After Effects computer programs.

“Katie is a great addition to our team,” says Jim Ward, President of Patient Advocates, LLC. “Her high energy level and strong skill sets with computers and communications will serve our company, clients, and patients well.”

Bernier holds a Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education from the University of Maine at Farmington, a Master’s of Science from the University of New England, and a Bachelor of Science in Digital Arts and Design from Full Sail University.

About Patient Advocates
Patient Advocates LLC has been helping clients navigate the health care system since 1995. Employers trust PA to help manage their costs while ensuring the highest quality of care for their employees. Built on the premise that access to the highest quality health care results in greater cost-savings over time, Patient Advocates offers innovative patient advocacy and disease management services, award-winning wellness programs and creative benefit plan designs with third-party administration. www.patientadvocatesllc.com

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Gray, MAINE (December 27, 2011) – With the addition of clients located in new areas of the country, Patient Advocates has expanded its Centers of Medical Excellence designations into Texas, Florida, North Carolina and New York/New Jersey. Relationships with these Centers of Excellence are designed to give patients access to the latest medical advances and state of the art technology. These facilities are world class and represent excellent options for patients.

“Each of these facilities are world-class in their treatment of specific medical conditions and are the places any of us at Patient Advocates would look to for care of ourselves or a loved one.” says Jim Ward, President of Patient Advocates, LLC.

Expanded Centers of Medical Excellence comprise the following states and facilities:

• Maryland

John Hopkins Hospital (Baltimore)
University of Maryland Medical Center (Baltimore)

• New York/New Jersey

New York Presbyterian (Manhattan)
Cornell Weill Medical Center (Manhattan)
Morristown Memorial Hospital (Morristown, NJ)

• North Carolina

Duke University Medical Center (Durham)
Carolinas Medical Center-Mercy (Charlotte)

• Texas

Baylor University Medical Center (Dallas)
University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center (Dallas)
M.D. Anderson (Houston

About Patient Advocates
Patient Advocates LLC has been helping clients navigate the health care system since 1995. Patient Advocates offers innovative patient advocacy and disease management services, award-winning wellness programs, and creative benefit plan designs with third-party administration. For information, go to www.patientadvocatesllc.com or call (207) 657-7733.

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In what is the only program of its kind in Maine, Patient Advocates, LLC, now offers advocacy services to employers who buy group health insurance on the open market, a service previously offered only to large self-insured employers. Nurse advocates from the company work on behalf of plan members to help them better understand their conditions and what treatment options are available to them.

“Employers tell us that their plan members need more help navigating the health care system and timely access to specialty care is an issue,” says James Ward, President of Patient Advocates, LLC. “Our nurse advocates help patients find the right care, at the right time, when they need it. As a result of our long-standing relationships with regional centers of excellence, patients learn about medical choices they might not have known about as well as have opportunities for quicker access to specialty care.

“Recently one of our clients was hospitalized with meningitis symptoms said to be complications of his treatment of rheumatoid arthritis. Facing a wait time of six weeks for a follow up appointment with his doctor, our nurse advocates were asked to help. They arranged an appointment with the Clinical Director of Rheumatology at Massachusetts General for a second opinion in just five business days. This patient was diagnosed with Systemic Lupus Erythematosus and with proper diagnosis and management of his disease, the patient is now feeling well.”

Patient Advocates has been offering this service to self-insured companies for many years. They have now extended that service to employers who buy group coverage through commercial insurers. Employers purchase advocacy services directly from Patient Advocates and offer this program to plan members as an additional employee benefit.

“Advocacy is great for the patient and helps make sure health dollars are spent wisely,” Ward said. “Accessing the proper treatment quickly leads to the best results for both the patient and the employer.”

About Patient Advocates

Patient Advocates LLC has been helping clients navigate the health care system since 1995. Patient Advocates offers innovative patient advocacy and disease management services, award-winning wellness programs, and creative benefit plan designs with third-party administration. For information, go to www.patientadvocatesllc.com or call (207) 657-7733.

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]]> http://www.prmaine.com/2011/12/new-service-helps-patients-in-commercial-plans-navigate-health-system-effectively-2/feed/ 0 http://www.prmaine.com/2011/03/patient-advocates-llc-brings-customer-service-representative/ http://www.prmaine.com/2011/03/patient-advocates-llc-brings-customer-service-representative/#comments Fri, 18 Mar 2011 13:33:58 +0000 BroadreachPR http://www.prmaine.com/?p=5082 Gray, MAINE (March 18, 2011) – With the growing need for help in navigating the healthcare system, Patient Advocates, LLC announces the hiring of Paul Lowd as a new Customer Service Representative.

In his new position with Patient Advocates, Lowd will be assisting clients with plan and claims information to ensure that each client has the resources to achieve the best healthcare path for their employees and their business as well as being a source of general administrative assistance.

“Healthcare for small business is a confusing issue right now, especially with the new health care law,” said Jim Ward, President of Patient Advocates, LLC. “Our clients need to get the right information quickly and effectively, so Paul will be an excellent resource for information and assistance in finding the best path for healthcare and wellness.”

Lowd is a graduate of Thomas College, holding a Bachelor of Science in business. Paul and his family reside in Cornish.

About Patient Advocates

Patient Advocates LLC has been helping clients navigate the health care system since 1995. Employers trust PA to help manage their costs while ensuring the highest quality of care for their employees. Built on the premise that access to the highest quality health care results in greater cost-savings over time, Patient Advocates offers innovative patient advocacy and disease management services, award-winning wellness programs and creative benefit plan designs with third-party administration. www.patientadvocatesllc.com

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“The two facilities that I toured – the international facilities with mostly American patients – were spectacular and among the best I’ve seen anywhere,” said Justin Ward of Patient Advocates in Gray. “The American patients I talked with said they love the treatment.”

Many people are becoming interested in so-called “medical tourism” to countries such as Costa Rica because high-quality care is available there at much-lower costs. For example, a knee or hip replacement that would cost $30,000-$40,000 in the United States can be done for less than $12,000 in Costa Rica. A colonoscopy could be done for as little as $300.

“The physicians, many of whom were trained in the United States, themselves are very accessible,” said Justin Ward, director of client services at Patient Advocates. “They have a great bedside manner, what I’d call ‘high touch’ care.”

Changes to the U.S. health care system as a result of the recent federal law also are likely to increase interest in the offshore option, as millions of people come onto the insurance rolls, with the likely result of longer waits for health care in the U. S.

Patient Advocates administers self-insurance plans and provides wellness services to employers, and operates under the philosophy that patients should get the best care possible, at the most-affordable price. Patient Advocates is a leader in providing employers and plan members with the widest array of care choices possible, whether that is in other states or – now – overseas.

“In business or in health care, competition makes us better,” said James Ward, president of Patient Advocates. “At a time when the health care system is undergoing dramatic changes, we believe it is crucial to look as widely as possible, to get the best health care for our clients and plan members.”

Justin Ward visited medical facilities, spoke with hospital personnel, attended workshops and interacted with patients during his 4 day-long trip to San Jose, Costa Rica, for an international medical conference. Other invitees came from European and North American countries, though Justin Ward is the only individual from the northeastern United States who attended.

Justin Ward said that he tried to put a reporter’s hat on during the trip, reviewing and evaluating everything about the experience – from a potential patient’s perspective.

“It was so easy to get around that it was just like being here, and that’s important because you want everything to go smoothly when you are getting medical treatment,” he said. “The treatment itself was very well coordinated. Providers are talking with one another.”

“The increases in health care costs that we’ve been seeing are not sustainable. If you combine that with an aging workforce, employers are being forced to look at alternatives to the local health care system,” Justin Ward said. “Costa Rica is an attractive alternative because of its proximity to the United States, stable government, safe environment, reputation for high quality and affordability.”

About Patient Advocates

Patient Advocates LLC has been helping clients navigate the health care system since 1995. Employers trust PA to help manage their costs while ensuring the highest quality of care for their employees. Built on the premise that access to the highest quality health care results in greater cost-savings over time, Patient Advocates offers innovative patient advocacy and disease management services, award-winning wellness programs and creative benefit plan designs with third-party administration. www.patientadvocatesllc.com

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“Patient Advocates’ goal is to reduce health care costs for clients by getting people the right care at the right time and to help them take better care of their health. One way we do this is through our wellness programs that help employers increase the health of their employees and thus lower health care costs,” says Jim Ward, President of Patient Advocates LLC. “Renee brings a lot of experience and creativity to our wellness team, and our clients will benefit from her expertise.”

“I’m excited to be a part of Patient Advocates’ one-of-a-kind healthcare team and to bring new and creative wellness ideas to employers who want to improve the quality of life for their employees,” says Lizotte of her new position with Patient Advocates.

Lizotte, of Portland, graduated from Saint Josephs College with a B.S. in Exercise Physiology. She has a professional background in cardiac rehabilitation, clinical exercise physiology, health coaching, and employee wellness programs.

About Patient Advocates

Patient Advocates LLC has been helping clients navigate the health care system since 1995. Employers trust PA to help manage their costs while ensuring the highest quality of care for their employees. Built on the premise that access to the highest quality health care results in greater cost-savings over time, Patient Advocates offers innovative patient advocacy and disease management services, award-winning wellness programs and creative benefit plan designs with third-party administration. www.patientadvocatesllc.com

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Contact: Linda Varrell, Broadreach Public Relations. info@broadreachpr.com. 207-846-3826