Deborah also served in her local fire department for 17 years as an EMT, firefighter and subsequently the Ambulance Chief. She helped create, fine tune and manage crisis management protocol for her local town and county, and was part of an emergency preparedness team as well as a member of a medical rapid response team.
Deborah has been a strong patient advocate throughout her lengthy career, both personally and professionally. She has always believed that it is not just about the clinical aspect of care, but the all-encompassing support of that patient and their family. She has a keen awareness, through years of experience, of how the medical system works in every aspect.
In Prism’s two years, clients across the United States, as well as Americans living abroad, have reached out for assistance with a variety of medical crisis as well as billing, coding, and insurance problems. Corporate clients rely on Prism to coordinate active participation in, and taking ownership of, one’s own healthcare needs, as well as proactively engaging with the greater care delivery ecosystem. This guarantees access to good healthcare, better utilization of benefits, and a significant decrease in costs for both the employee and the employer.
Deborah is expanding her business to assist veterans with navigating the VHA system and getting the care they need and deserve. She volunteers with several groups in an informal way. She is also frequently a guest speaker and blogger. She distributes a quarterly, informational newsletter, highlighting key medical issues in the forefront of people’s needs.
Debbie educated the club to help them and those they love with navigating America's complicated and often unfair healthcare system:
* Always bring someone else to a doctor's appointment - even when it is least expected, doctor's can share life-altering news and it is very difficult to process this on your own. Having someone to take notes and listen by your side will help process important information.
* Know your body and know your rights - you are your strongest advocate, healthcare settings can often engage in unethical albeit legal practices. Educate yourself and advocate for your needs.
* All bills can be negotiated - when paying for medical bills, Debbie recommends showing up in person to speak to their billing department. Maintaining a polite yet firm attitude will help negotiate your bill. Often times billing is inaccurate and hospitals are used to getting stiffed, so there is always room for negotiation. There are also many payment loopholes - an advocate such as prism can help navigate this difficult system.
* Planned procedures - When undergoing a planned procedure make sure that all doctors, opinions, anesthesiologists and specialists are covered under your insurance. Sometimes these are brought in out-of-network and patients are not notified until they are billed.
* Always have a document ready with your current medications including dosages and prescriber.
* Make sure affairs are in order and legal documents are readily available to your family, lawyer, PCP, and hospital of choice.
* Do not be afraid to get a third or fourth opinion. Medicine is not black and white.
Prism is transparent with their fees as advocates.
Visit their website at www.prismhealthadvocates.com for more information.
