What is a Patient Advocate?
What is a Patient Advocate?
A patient advocate is a professional dedicated to empowering individuals as they navigate the complexities of the healthcare system. Acting as a bridge between patients, healthcare providers, and insurance companies, advocates ensure patients fully understand their care options, rights, and financial responsibilities. They work to eliminate barriers, clarify processes, and offer compassionate support, fostering informed decision-making and peace of mind.
The Patient Advocate Program: Your Dental Advocate
The Patient Advocate Program (PAP) is a unique initiative designed to address the challenges patients face within the dental healthcare system. Founded by Shelbey Arevalo, a seasoned professional with over 14 years of experience in the dental and healthcare fields, the program provides tailored guidance to patients of all ages, particularly seniors and individuals with disabilities. PAP’s mission is to create a seamless, informed, and stress-free dental care experience by bridging the gap between patients and providers.
Experience You Can Trust
Shelbey Arevalo brings a wealth of experience to the Patient Advocate Program. From her beginnings as a Certified Dental Assistant (CDA) to her certification in Medical Billing and Collections, most recently credentialed in dental sleep medicine (QMDSA), she has built a career rooted in excellence and patient care. Her involvement in organizations such as AADOM, Greater National Advocates, and Dental Entrepreneurial Women (DeW) reflects her commitment to learning and advocacy. Additionally, her journey to becoming a Board-Certified Patient Advocate (BCPA) ensures PAP adheres to the highest standards of ethical and professional practice.
Services We Offer
The Patient Advocate Program is here to simplify the dental care journey by offering:
Scheduling Assistance: Connecting patients with qualified dental providers.
Insurance Guidance: Helping patients identify suitable insurance plans, verify coverage, and understand benefits.
Treatment Plan and Billing Reviews: Simplifying explanations of treatment plans and explanation of benefits (EOBs).
Telehealth Consultations: Enabling virtual dental care for dental emergencies or second opinions (future service).
Mobile Dental Services: Bringing care to those unable to travel to dental offices, like assisted living facilities (future service).
Educational Resources: Providing tools to help patients understand oral health and treatment options.
How We Make a Difference
The Patient Advocate Program takes the confusion out of dental care, offering personalized support tailored to each patient’s needs. Whether helping a senior citizen navigate Medicare dental coverage or advocating for a child’s orthodontic treatment, PAP is committed to ensuring every patient receives equitable, transparent, and high-quality care.
Our Role in Your Healthcare Journey
PAP serves as a steadfast partner from the initial consultation to follow-up care. We:
Advocate for patient rights and fair treatment.
Offer clarity in treatment plans and financial obligations.
Educate patients about their options.
Ensure a positive, patient-centered care experience.
The BCPA Credential and PACB Standards
The Board-Certified Patient Advocate (BCPA) credential, administered by the Patient Advocate Certification Board (PACB), is a symbol of professional excellence in patient advocacy. Advocates with this credential demonstrate knowledge in healthcare systems, communication, and ethical practices, ensuring patients receive competent and compassionate care.
The PACB emphasizes best practices and ethical standards through two primary resources:
Code of Ethics: Establishes ethical principles for all patient advocates.
Competencies and Best Practices: Defines core and specialized skills essential for effective advocacy.
These guidelines ensure that certified advocates act in the best interests of their clients while maintaining transparency and integrity.
Ethical Standards We Abide By
PAP follows the PACB’s Code of Ethics, which emphasizes:
Transparency: Clear communication of scope, fees, and potential conflicts of interest.
Confidentiality: Protecting patient information with utmost care.
Autonomy: Empowering patients to make informed decisions based on their values.
Competence: Providing services within the advocate’s area of expertise and recognizing when to refer patients to other professionals.
Affiliations and Partnerships
We proudly collaborate with industry-leading organizations, including:
Find us on:
FindAtopDoc.com - A resource to find reliable providers in any field.
Umbra Health Advocates - A resource for finding a reliable advocate in any field.
Greater National Advocates - Another resource for finding an advocate in any field nationwide.
National Association of Healthcare Advocacy Consultants - Directory of advocates nationwide.
These partnerships reinforce our dedication to professional growth and the highest standards of patient care.
Our Mission and Goals
The Patient Advocate Program is driven by the mission to bridge the gap between patients and the dental care system, fostering understanding, accessibility, and positive experiences. Our goals include:
Promoting transparency and trust between patients and providers.
Advocating for equitable care for vulnerable populations.
Expanding access through telehealth and mobile services.
Empowering patients with the knowledge to make informed decisions.
By putting patients first, PAP aims to redefine dental care advocacy and ensure everyone receives the support they deserve.
To enroll in the program fill out these waivers or submit a form through our website. Call/text (916) 269-9899 or email admin@patientadvocateprogram.org.
It is our pleasure to help you, talk to you soon!
