There are around 48,000 patient care coordinators helping patients across the country. And yet, it’s one of the most underutilized support services out there.
Too many people try to manage their (or their loved ones) medical situations on their own. This always leads to feelings of stress and burnout. The better thing to do is to hire the help you need right from the beginning. Then you never have to feel out of control in these difficult situations.
Check out this guide to see all the different ways a care coordinator can benefit your support team!
1. Scheduling Appointments
For many people, one of the most difficult parts of medical care is making appointments. There’s just something about making those phone calls that makes you want to put it off as long as possible. But we all know that isn’t a good plan when you’re in the middle of an illness.
And that’s not even considering all of the time it takes to set everything up. It is a major chunk of time with just one doctor’s visit. Then multiply that if you have multiple providers and you’re looking at a part-time job.
Hiring a care coordinator means you don’t have to worry about these tasks. They’ll work with you to make sure you get everywhere you need to go.
2. Keeping Detailed Medical History
When you have too many doctor’s visits, there is a lot of information you need to keep track of. This is especially true for the aging population that tends to have many more ailments.
It can feel impossible to remember every detail from these appointments. A care coordinator can handle this kind of organization for you so you can relax a little.
You can work with your care coordinator to develop a system that works for your situation. They’ll gather all of your previous history information in one place. And then be able to add in new diagnoses, diagnostic imaging, and other test results.
That way, it’s all ready for you when you need it!
3. Finding Other Helpful Services
The medical care world is so broad it’s likely that you don’t even know all the services available to you. There may be something out there that would make your life a lot easier. A care coordinator will have much more knowledge about these networks.
They’ll be able to suggest different providers and services that may help. This could be other treatment options or different specialty providers.
Having the right team of medical professionals is the key to finding success on your journey. Now, finding those people isn’t as difficult because you have more help!
4. Figuring Out Insurance Coverage Details
There is really nothing more frustrating than dealing with insurance while sick. More than 50% of people are stressed out about their coverage options.
There are so many details to remember about your coverage. And those details can change from year to year. Then you have to do everything just right in order to really get the coverage you need. Mistakes are so costly when it comes to dealing with your insurance. No wonder most people hate this aspect of getting medical care.
One helpful thing a care coordinator does is handle everything insurance related. They will make sure you have coverage, double-check authorization, manage co-pays, and make payments on your behalf.
This service alone is a game-changer for those dealing with the healthcare system.
5. Liaison Between Doctors and Family Members
With so many appointments, there comes a lot of information. Making sure everyone who needs it gets the right information is a lot!
Not to mention, making sure you (and everyone else) really understands the medical info can feel too hard.
A care coordinator will do their best to be a good liaison between the medical providers and the family. Having this go-between to gather and share information makes the whole thing easier. Plus, there’s always someone you can turn to when you have questions!
6. Managing Medications
Another challenge of getting older or having a serious health issue is managing all of the different medications. The last thing you want to do is forget a prescription and then get behind on your treatment. But this could easily happen when you’re overwhelmed.
A care coordinator can make sure that all of your prescriptions get sent to the right place. They will also take the time to educate you on the proper dosage and any other important information you need to know.
It’s crucial help that can take away a lot of stress when you’re trying to take care of yourself or someone else.
7. Providing Support Where Needed
It’s often a very lonely road when you’re working through an illness. There are always a wide range of emotions that can feel like too much to deal with on your own.
Having a care coordinator on your team means you always have someone who is on your side. They are a built-in support system. And best of all, they have a true understanding of your situation, so they can help you work through it all.
A care coordinator can be another set of ears for you to work through your questions. They will do all they can to make sure you have all the services you need to be successful.
Benefits of Working with Patient Care Coordinators
There are very few circumstances that are harder than dealing with health challenges. Whether you or your loved ones are sick, it’s always an overwhelming time of life.
Adding patient care coordinators to your team can make all of the difference. It won’t make the situation less emotional, but it can make it a lot easier to manage. Instead of dealing with the whole burden on your own, you can delegate tasks and make your load much easier.
Having a caring, expert team of doctors will also make a huge difference in your health journey. Our team of specialized medical professionals has helped countless patients. They would love to help you too! Contact us today to schedule an appointment!
