START Advocacy
We know that dealing with complex government, healthcare and financial systems can be daunting and frustrating. Our advocates are on your side working with you to cut through red tape and resolve issues.
Quality of care
We investigate care, vet and recommend care partners, identify appropriate care settings, prepare short and long-term plans for care, coordinate care services and advocate on your behalf to assure the best outcomes.
Dementia
We provide coaching, resources and guidance to families and caregivers of patients with dementia.
Benefits, bills and claims
We help you review and resolve disputes regarding medical bills, insurance claims and benefits, including Veteran's benefits, Social Security Disability, Medical Assistance and essential services.
Roger’s Story
Advocating for an aging adult with dementia
Situation: Roger has dementia and lives alone in a subsidized apartment with no family to help. After an eye doctor discovered he had cataracts in both eyes, our care advocate scheduled Roger for surgeries. She knew Roger would not be able to comply with post-operative instructions and would need 24-hour care and monitoring.
Solution: Our care advocate advised the county case manager that Roger needed to be admitted to a rehabilitation center for post-operative care. The challenge: There are no Medicare or Medicaid guidelines that allow for nursing home care for cataract surgery patients.
Outcome: Our advocate secured a nursing home stay for Roger following each cataract surgery. Roger received the care he needed, recovered without any complications and returned to live in his apartment.
Nancy’s Story
Extending care by appealing to Medicare
Situation: Nancy’s mom was going to be discharged from a nursing home rehabilitation after 20 days, but she needed more time to recover before going home. Nancy was seeking guidance to appeal the decision.
Solution: Our Medicare advocate and nursing home regulatory expert listened to Nancy’s needs and provided step-by-step instructions on how to file the appeal. She outlined the required documents and coached Nancy on what to expect at the Administrative Law Judge Hearing.
Outcome: Nancy won her mother’s appeal. Medicare continued to pay for her full 100 days of covered nursing home care. Nancy’s family used the additional days to create a long-term care plan so their mom could age in place at home.