Health Advocate

Health Advocate, Inc.

Company type	Private
Industry	Health advocacy, Patient support
Founded	2001
Headquarters	Plymouth Meeting , United States
Key people	Teleperformance (management)
Products	Wellness Advocate, Benefits Gateway, Health Information Dashboards, Employee Assistance Programs (EAP), Worklife services, Pricing Decision Support tools, Customized Health Communications, Chronic Care Management, Human Resources solutions, Health Proponent (direct-to-consumer)

Health Advocate, Inc. operates as a nationwide health advocacy and patient support organization in the United States. Established in 2001 by former executives from Aetna, the company is based in Plymouth Meeting, Pennsylvania, and is presently managed by Teleperformance. As a privately owned entity, it employs a team of registered nurses, medical directors, and benefits experts who tackle a wide array of healthcare and insurance-related concerns. Members receive assistance from Personal Health Advocates with locating providers, correcting medical billing inaccuracies, handling coverage denials, and pursuing insurance appeals.

The company’s suite of offerings encompasses Wellness Advocate, Benefits Gateway combined with Health Information Dashboards, Employee Assistance Programs (EAP) and Worklife services, Pricing Decision Support tools, Customized Health Communications, Chronic Care Management initiatives, as well as Human Resources solutions. For consumers outside of employer-sponsored plans, Health Advocate provides a direct-to-consumer option called Health Proponent.

Primary Advocacy Services

• Clinical Support – delivers guidance and information related to medical and pharmaceutical matters. This includes helping clients interpret diagnostic tests, treatments, and prescribed medications; facilitating the transfer of medical records; coordinating home healthcare equipment following hospital stays; organizing hospice care and other services for terminal patients; and managing transitions from community hospitals to specialized tertiary care centers.
• Administrative Support – addresses issues involving claims and benefits while also assisting in finding resources beyond the scope of health plans.

Coverage

Typically, employers extend this service as an enhancement to their healthcare insurance offerings, providing coverage for employees along with their immediate family members such as spouses, dependent children, parents, and in-laws. For those without access through an employer plan, services are available via Health Advocate’s direct-to-consumer branch known as Health Proponent.

Published Works

• Rosen, Martin B. & Leibowitz, Abbie. “Health Advocacy Programs Help Employers and Employees Navigate Health Care and Insurance Systems.” Employee Benefit Plan Review, October 2002
• Rosen, Martin B. & Leibowitz, Abbie. “Health Advocacy Helps Employers and Employees Cope with Health Care and Insurance Systems.” HIU Health Insurance Underwriter, November 2002
• Leibowitz, M.D., Abbie. “What Do Patient Advocates Do?” National Underwriter, December 2003
• Cardillo, Michael & Rosen, Martin. “Benefits, Challenges of Consumer-Driven Healthcare.” Human Capital, January/February 2004
• Rosen, Martin B. & Leibowitz, M.D., Abbie. “Health Advocacy Helps Employers and Employees Cope with Healthcare and Insurance Systems.” Philadelphia SHRM Chapter News, February 2004
• Rosen, Martin B. & Leibowitz, M.D., Abbie. “Health Advocacy: Saving Time and Money for Employers and Employees.” Employee Benefits, August 2004
• Leibowitz, M.D., Abbie. “Health advocacy: Strategic complement to consumer-directed Healthcare.” Inside HR/NY, September 2004
• Leibowitz, M.D., F.A.A.P., Abbie. “The Role of Health Advocacy in Disease Management.” Disease Management, 2005
• Rosen, Martin. “Health Advocacy: A New Resource for Employers.” Pension & Benefits Update, March/April 2005
• Rosen, Martin B. “Health Advocacy: Saving Time and Money for Employers and Employees.” The Healthcare Savings Chronicle, August 2005
• Martin B. Rosen and Arthur “Abbie” Leibowitz, M.D. coauthored The Healthcare Survival Guide: Cost-Saving Options for the Suddenly Unemployed
• Rosen, Martin B. “Simple Ways to Organize Your Older Relatives.” Buttoned Up, January 2010
• Rosen, Martin B. “Top 10 Ways to Manage Eldercare.” S.I. Parent, March 2010
• Chiaro MSW, LSW, Michelle. "The Role of Social Work in Health Advocacy." Social Work Today Newsletter, August 2010

See also

• Health Insurance Innovations
• Health insurance