The Importance of Health Advocacy

What is health advocacy?

The definition of health advocacy—also known as patient advocacy—varies widely. For us at Solace, the responsibility of all health advocates is to help patients in any and all aspects of their healthcare journey. Advocate roles can include the following:

• Helping patients communicate with providers—and making sure they communicate with each other
• Finding the right doctors, scheduling appointments, and virtually attending appointments
• Aiding patients in understanding their health situation and evaluating different paths forward
• Providing patients with decision support and guidance based on their conditions and treatment options
• Supporting patients with health insurance processes, including filing claims, preparing necessary forms and communicating directly with insurance companies

Who can benefit from health advocacy?

Health advocates empower patients by helping them get the most effective healthcare out of the healthcare system. 

Some types of patients who can benefit from health advocacy include the following:

Aging Adults

At Solace, health advocates can virtually accompany aging patients to appointments and help them speak with doctors, take notes, and manage symptom conversations and questions. They can also help with daily medication tracking and promote activities that can improve a patient’s quality of life at home. A patient advocate can help aging adults navigate the digital technology burden by logging in to patient portals to review diagnostic test results, scheduling appointments online, and renewing prescriptions. They can also help secure prior authorizations, and approvals for critical supplies like mobility scooters.

Dementia Patients

Dementia can be particularly challenging. Advocates can manage schedules, facilitate doctor’s visits, ensure quality of life at home or navigate facility placement, and also maintain strong communication between family members and “quarterback” all health processes. If a dementia patient isn’t in a position to manage their own care, advocates can support caregivers directly.

Chronically Ill

‍Advocates can help manage symptoms and care protocols, as well as act as a support system. Chronic illnesses can be lonely and debilitating; an advocate can help carry the burden of organizing and following through on care.

Hospitalized Patients

Hospitals often have employees they call patient advocates, but these are not independent advocates like those you’ll find on Solace. Hospital advocates can be a helpful resource during a stay—they often assist with scheduling, paperwork, and general communication. But because they’re employed by the hospital, their focus is typically on hospital policies and procedures. That’s why it can be so important to have an independent advocate—someone who’s there solely for the patient, able to ask tough questions, speak up during critical moments, and stay focused on what’s best for the individual, not the institution.

Patients With a Serious Diagnosis

If you’ve been diagnosed with a challenging illness such as cancer, an advocate can be invaluable—helping you find the right doctor, gathering information from different sources and aiding you in determining the right course of treatment or clinical studies that are available.

Anyone Looking for a Doctor or Specialist

Whether you need a new primary care provider, a second opinion, or a hard-to-find specialist, advocates can help. They know how to widen the search, check credentials, and match patients with providers who fit their needs, especially in areas where access is limited or your condition is complex. If you're not sure what kind of provider you need—whether it's a neurologist, physical therapist, or in-home caregiver—they can help you figure that out, too.

Anyone Dealing With Insurance or Coverage Issues

Insurance hurdles can delay care, derail treatment plans, or leave patients stuck without the equipment or support they need. Advocates can help you understand your plan, fight denials, and get prior authorizations approved for surgeries, treatments, or mobility equipment. Whether you're confused by your benefits, overwhelmed by paperwork, or just trying to get a straight answer, an advocate can help move things forward.

Navigating Uncertainty

Whether you're dealing with an incomprehensible bill, trying to make sense of your insurance options, or just overwhelmed by the decisions in front of you, you're not alone—the U.S. healthcare system is designed to be difficult. Solace advocates specialize in overcoming that complexity so you can get the care, support, and answers you need.

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Who can be a Patient Advocate?

At Solace, patient advocates are experienced healthcare professionals with backgrounds in nursing, social work, case management, and related fields. Many have worked inside hospitals, insurance companies, or long-term care systems—so they understand how care decisions get made, where delays happen, and how to fix what’s broken. They’re not just trained in advocacy—they’ve lived it. Whether it’s navigating a complex diagnosis or pushing for coverage and services, Solace advocates bring deep, real-world expertise to every case.

How does health advocacy improve patient outcomes?

According to the National Assessment of Adult Literacy, only 12% of U.S. adults have the health literacy skills needed to manage the demands of the complex health care system. And even among those 12%, the ability to absorb and use health information can be compromised by stress or illness. 

A detailed meta-study showed that reduced continuity of care was associated with increased death rates; an advocate can help ensure continuous quality of care, no matter how many different doctors you need to see.

And according to a study by Johns Hopkins, medical error is the third leading cause of death in the United States. In a system where doctors are increasingly asked to see more patients with less time and less continuity of care, having an advocate at your side to help navigate a health event is critical.

Why work with an advocate?

Because our healthcare system is so complex, patients have neither the tools nor the ability to control their healthcare and communicate effectively with their doctors—and the consequences can be deadly. Advocates solve this by using their expertise to seek to achieve the very best outcome. If you’re looking for an advocate to help you or a loved one going through a challenging time, find a Solace advocate today.

This article is for informational purposes only and should not be substituted for professional advice. Information is subject to change. Consult your healthcare provider or a qualified professional for guidance on medical issues, financial concerns, or healthcare benefits.