I help people navigate complex medical decisions: sorting through specialist recommendations, understanding what's actually at stake in a choice, and figuring out the path that fits what matters most to them. Sometimes that means preparing for and sitting in on an office visit. Other times, it's making sense of conflicting opinions from three different doctors. I can also provide support and guidance during a hospital stay or transitions of care to a new facility. Most importantly, it's having someone in your corner who understands medicine and has no other agenda than yours. 

Some advocates work solely on the financial side, helping people with billing or insurance problems. If your medical situation also involves a straightforward insurance or billing issue, I can solve that too. If it is beyond my scope of knowledge, I can refer you to expert colleagues.

No. Independent patient advocacy generally isn't covered by most health insurance, and I do not accept Medicare.  This allows me to focus on you instead of paperwork or insurance requirements.

I can meet with people locally in Fairfield or New Haven Counties, and I also work virtually with people anywhere. A lot of what I do — reviewing records, talking through decisions, joining calls with a care team — works just as well over video as it does in person. 

Not at all. People come to me at all kinds of moments — a new diagnosis that feels overwhelming, a recommendation that doesn't sit right, a decision with no clear best answer, or just the sense that they need someone to help them think it through. You don't need a crisis to deserve clarity.

Hospital-based patient advocates are valuable, but they work within the system — often the same system whose recommendations you might be trying to evaluate. Care managers have an important role to play in coordinating care, but may not have the medical training to support you and guide you through decisions you need to make about your care. 

Your doctors too often don’t have the time to spend with you to explain, listen, and deliberate, and are experts on their piece of your care plan. You may not have someone on your side who can see the big picture. I work for you alone, independent of any hospital, insurer, or practice, with no role to play except helping you see clearly, decide well, and have your needs met.

My rate reflects 25+ years of clinical, teaching, and leadership experience. I bill through retainer blocks — typically three or five hours — so the arrangement is simple and predictable.  After a free initial call, you will receive a contract which describes the specific proposal for the initial comprehensive assessment and draft of your action plan. The fee will vary depending upon the complexity and time needed to complete the work. If you would like to continue to work with me to implement your action plan, you can purchase further retainer hours as necessary and appropriate.

Yes, sometimes a partner, surrogate decision-maker, or adult child hires a patient advocate to help a loved one with their medical situation. In situations like this, I would still focus my primary allegiance on the person I am working with, even if the services are paid for by a third-party.

As your patient advocate, I do not provide medical opinions, advice, or care.  What I will do is help you learn about your situation, your rights, your options, and the resources to help get the best care. 

The short answer is anyone who is frustrated, scared, or confused while trying to get health care.  Given my broad experience as a primary care physician, I can help someone 

• Struggling with a new diagnosis  

• Managing a complex, chronic illness

• Sorting through recommendations from multiple specialists

• Navigating their medical care alone, without a partner or adult child to help-sometimes called a “solo ager”

• An adult child who has an aging parent with complex medical needs who lives out of town