Advocates take the stress and logistics out of healthcare.
An advocate handles healthcare logistics for you and makes sure you get the care you deserve.
Patient advocacy means fixing…
The referral your doctor sent that fell through the cracks.
The bill for a test they said was covered.
The program you qualify for, if you knew which office to call.
For patients and their caregivers, this can look like (for illustrative purposes, not real patients):
Marcus T., patient · Boston, MA
$2,100 refunded
Insurance negotiation handled
Karen L., daughter of a patient · Quincy, MA
Seen 6 weeks sooner
Records sent ahead of the visit
Gloria S., patient · Springfield, MA
Found home care after ER discharge
Weekly check-in calls with patient & caregiver
Paul R., son of a patient · Lowell, MA
$180/mo saved on prescriptions
Renewals and home delivery arranged
Tanya W., daughter & caregiver · Hartford, CT
$35,000/yr paid caregiver received
Respite arranged, so she gets a break
Frank D., patient · Providence, RI
Second opinion MD found and scheduled
Enrolled in clinical trial
What an advocate is
A real person, assigned to you — you have their number. Trained, and supervised by licensed clinicians. Paid by Medicare, answering to you.
Who it’s for
People on Medicare, and the family members who care about them. If you’re not sure whether that’s you, send us a message and ask.
Who we help →Who pays
Medicare does. Advocacy is a covered service, billed the same way a visit is. Most of the people we work with pay nothing. If your coverage leaves a copay, we tell you the amount before anything starts.
What our advocates do
If it’s on this list, you can ask for it. If it isn’t, ask anyway.
Getting seen
Sooner, with the right specialist, and prepared.
- Research and compare specialists, not just the first name on the list
- Get on cancellation lists so you're seen sooner
- Chase the referral until it's actually booked
- Send your records ahead so the visit isn't wasted
- Arrange a second opinion
Coverage & approvals
Know what's covered before you owe anything.
- Explain your coverage in plain English
- File and track prior authorizations
- Appeal a denial, and appeal again if we have to
- Sort out pharmacy coverage and drug tiers
Bills
Pay what you actually owe.
- Review your bills and match them against what your plan said
- Find and fix errors, duplicates, and wrong codes
- Dispute surprise bills from out-of-network providers
- Apply for hospital financial assistance
- Set up a payment plan you can live with
Benefits
Programs you may qualify for and have never heard of.
- Check what you qualify for, all at once
- Help with Medicare Savings Programs, SNAP, and Extra Help
- Medicaid applications
- Handle renewals so nothing lapses
- Appeal a benefit that was denied or cut off
Home & daily life
Meals, rides, equipment, and help at home, arranged.
- Home-delivered meals
- Rides to appointments
- Equipment and supplies, from walkers to hospital beds
- Home changes that prevent falls
- Finding and setting up home care
Staying on track
We work proactively to keep things on track.
- A care plan that stays current
- Proactive check-ins each week or month
- One medication list, reconciled across every prescriber
- Medication questions routed to the right clinician
- Follow-up after a hospital stay, within days
Caregiver support
For the family member doing the work, including getting paid for it.
- Find out if you can be paid for the care you already give
- Training in the things nobody teaches you
- Arrange respite so you get a break
- Set up portal access and permissions, properly
- Help the family agree on who does what
Planning ahead
Decide on your terms, before you have to decide fast.
- Health care proxy and advance directive paperwork
- Understand the options before a decision has to be made
- What palliative care is, and how it differs from hospice
- Compare long-term care options and what they cost
- Get your documents in one place
What we don’t do
We don't give legal or tax advice. We refer you to people who do.
We don't sell insurance, and we earn no commission from any plan.
We never sell your information.
We don't surprise you with a cost. Most people pay nothing. If your coverage leaves a copay, you hear the number first.
Questions
What does this cost me?
Usually nothing. Medicare covers advocacy under its care-navigation benefits. For some people, this may be subject to Medicare copay. We verify any costs with you beforehand, so you’re never surprised.
Can I keep my doctor?
Yes. Your advocate works with the doctors you already have.
A separate clinician from Usher will help to supervise your advocates and coordinate with your other physicians to ensure you get the best care across all of your providers.
Can a son or daughter call on my behalf?
Yes: a son or daughter can make the first call to check eligibility and learn about our program, and later we can arrange to help coordinate care with a son or daughter or other loved one who is helping manage care.
What if my problem isn’t on the list?
Ask anyway. The list is what we do most, not everything we do.
What can’t advocates do?
They don’t give medical or legal advice. They get you to the licensed people who do.
Advocates work under clinical supervision, and aim to improve your health outcomes. This means that they typically can’t do things completely unrelated to healthcare, but they are able to help with many things that affect your health indirectly – from helping you enroll in benefits programs, finding transportation to health, negotiating bills for you, and much more. See everything we do.
Is my information private?
Yes. The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act protects the privacy of your medical records and limits how your health information can be used and shared. We never sell your information.