Advocate
Qualifications & Costs
Advocate
Qualifications
BACKGROUND
Patient advocates come in many forms. Some are trained as nurses or doctors, pharmacists or other clinicians.
Others come from the business side of healthcare, with expertise in billing and insurance.
Some were in your shoes, patients or caregivers who had to learn the hard way how to fight for what they needed from the healthcare system. And they turned that passion and experience into a career.
Search our national directory to learn more about our advocates.
EXPERIENCE
Some advocates have been practicing advocates for years. Others have years of healthcare experience. It’s fair to ask how long an advocate has been practicing.
Credentials
Some have Board certification in patient advocacy or other certificates and credentials. Some credentials that patient advocates have include:
- Board-certified Patient Advocate (BCPA)
- Certified Case Manager (CCM)
- Aging Life Care Expert
- Registered Nurse (RN)
- Medical Doctor (MD or DO)
- Lawyer
- Social Worker (MSW)
- Doctor of Osteopathy (DO)
- Chiropractor
- Nurse Practitioner (NP)
Advocate
Costs
Independent advocates typically charge by the hour or by the service. Rates vary widely depending on the complexity of the situation, the services provided, the location, and the advocate’s expertise or credentials.
Some advocates ask you to pay for a block of time in advance (called a retainer) and some offer monthly subscriptions to make sure you have ongoing access to them. Most will give you a good-faith estimate before asking for any payment.
If you hire a private advocate, expect to pay anywhere from about $100 to as much as $400 or $500 per hour, out of pocket.
At Umbra Health Advocacy, we offer specific services for a set price, based on the service. You can always add more time or buy additional services if you need to. Our rates fall within the range of what you'd pay a private advocate charge. The difference is we'll do the legwork for you to find the right match.
More and more companies are paying for services to help employees navigate their healthcare. Contact us to find out how we can work with your company.
Check out our services and pricing below.
Read more about what it costs to hire an advocate
Or schedule a free consultation to get a specific quote for your needs.
