What is a Patient Advocate?

Healthcare can feel overwhelming, even when you have great clinicians. Appointments are often short. Paperwork can pile up. When someone is sick, tired, or worried, it can be hard to absorb new information and make decisions quickly. In these moments, having support can make a real difference.

A patient advocate is someone who helps a patient and their family navigate the healthcare system. Advocates can help people feel more prepared for appointments, ask better questions, and keep care organized across multiple providers. This article explains what patient advocates do, the different types of advocates, and why advocacy can matter, especially when healthcare becomes complex.

What is a Patient Advocate?

A patient advocate is a person who supports a patient through healthcare decisions and logistics. The goal is not to replace doctors or make medical decisions for someone. The goal is to help the patient understand what is happening, feel informed, and move through the system with less confusion.

Advocates often help patients prepare for visits, organize medical information, and follow up after appointments. They may help patients communicate concerns clearly and make sure questions are answered in a way that makes sense. Patient advocacy can also include support around patient rights, such as understanding how to speak up if something feels unsafe or unclear. Some advocates are professionals who provide structured, paid support, while informal advocates are often trusted family members or friends who help in everyday ways. 

Roles and Responsibilities

Patient advocates do not all do the same work. Responsibilities vary based on the setting, the patient’s needs, and how complex the situation is. Still, many advocacy tasks fall into a few common categories.

Navigating insurance and medical bills

Insurance and billing issues can be stressful. A patient advocate may help by organizing documents, creating a timeline, and keeping track of conversations with insurers or billing offices. They may help patients understand the difference between a bill, an explanation of benefits, and a claim. They may also assist in spotting errors, like duplicate charges or incorrect patient information.

If a claim is denied, an advocate may help the patient gather supporting paperwork and understand the next step in the appeals process. They may also help patients ask for cost estimates before a procedure or request an itemized bill after care, which can make costs easier to review.

It is important to stay realistic. Advocacy does not guarantee a bill will be reduced or that an insurer will pay. But steady follow-up, clear documentation, and careful review can often make the process feel less chaotic.

Coordinating with doctors and healthcare providers

Many patients see more than one clinician. A person might have a primary care provider, a specialist, a physical therapist, and a pharmacy team. When care is spread out, information can get lost. Advocates may help reduce gaps by tracking who said what and when, and by making sure key updates are shared.

Coordination may include confirming referral status, scheduling follow-ups, requesting medical records, and keeping a running list of medications. Advocates may also help patients prepare a short summary of symptoms and priorities for each visit, which can make appointments more productive.

Advocates can also help patients feel more comfortable speaking up. For example, a patient might want to say, “I am still in pain,” or “I do not understand the plan,” but feel rushed or hesitant. An advocate can help slow the conversation down and ensure the patient’s concerns are addressed.

Supporting patients in decision-making and understanding treatment options

Healthcare decisions can be complicated. A patient might be choosing between two treatments, weighing side effects, or deciding whether to pursue more testing. Advocates can help patients process information and clarify what matters most to them.

One helpful approach is shared decision-making, where patients and clinicians work together using medical evidence plus the patient’s values and goals to choose a plan, as described in AHRQ’s shared decision-making guidance. In practice, an advocate may help a patient identify questions like:

• What are the benefits and risks of each option?

• What happens if I wait or do nothing right now?

• How will this affect my daily life?

• What signs should make me seek urgent care?

Advocates may help patients summarize what they heard and make a short list of next steps. They may also encourage patients to ask for plain language explanations or written instructions, especially when information feels overwhelming.

Types of Patient Advocates

There are several kinds of patient advocates. The best fit often depends on where someone is receiving care and what kind of support they need.

Independent advocates

Independent patient advocates work directly for patients and families. They may support people across hospitals, clinics, and insurance plans.

Some focus on specific areas like complex care coordination, discharge planning, insurance denials, or second opinions. Because they work for the patient, independent advocates can often take a broad view of the situation and help tie together different parts of the care journey.

Hospital-based advocates

Many hospitals have patient relations teams or patient representatives. Their job often includes helping patients raise concerns, understand hospital processes, and navigate communication problems. They may also help explain how to file a complaint or request support when something feels unsafe or confusing.

Hospital-based advocates are usually focused on issues that happen within that hospital system. They may be a good option when someone needs help during a hospital stay, around discharge planning, or when communication has broken down.

Volunteer or nonprofit advocates

Some nonprofits and community organizations provide patient navigation and advocacy support. These services may be helpful for people facing barriers like transportation challenges, financial stress, limited English proficiency, or limited access to care. Volunteer advocates may help with practical needs and emotional support, such as attending appointments, helping with forms, or connecting patients to community resources.

Why Patient Advocacy Is Important

Patient advocacy matters because healthcare is complex, and patients are often asked to manage many responsibilities at once. Advocacy can help people stay organized, feel supported, and communicate better with care teams. 

Improving Healthcare Outcomes

When people understand their care plan, they may be more likely to follow through on treatment, recognize warning signs, and ask for help early. Advocates can support this by helping patients understand instructions, track symptoms, and plan next steps.

Advocates can also help patients prepare for visits so the most important topics are addressed. A simple tactic is to write down the top three concerns before an appointment. Another is to bring a current medication list, including supplements. These steps may sound small, but they can improve clarity and reduce mistakes.

Advocacy is not a guarantee of better health outcomes. But it can make it easier for patients to stay engaged in their care and communicate concerns early, which can support safer care.

Reducing Stress and Confusion

Medical situations can be stressful. People may feel scared, pressured, or exhausted. In those moments, it can be hard to remember what the clinician said, or to ask the questions you meant to ask. Advocates can help by taking notes, asking clarifying questions, and summarizing the plan afterward.

Advocates may also help with practical organization. Examples include keeping a folder of test results, logging symptoms over time, and maintaining a simple list of upcoming appointments. These tools can reduce stress because they turn a confusing situation into a smaller set of next steps.

For families who want support coordinating care, preparing for appointments, or following up on complex logistics, services like Aviator Health can provide structured advocacy alongside a patient’s clinical care.

Supporting Vulnerable Populations

Some people face extra barriers in healthcare. This can include older adults, people living with chronic illness, and people with limited health literacy. Health literacy affects a person’s ability to find, understand, and use health information, as the CDC explains in its health literacy guidance. When health literacy is limited, instructions may feel confusing, forms may be hard to complete, and follow-up steps may not be clear. 

Advocates can help by slowing down the process, using plain language, and checking understanding. They may help patients repeat back key instructions in their own words. They may also encourage patients to ask for printed summaries or to bring a trusted person to important visits.

Advocacy can also support people who feel less comfortable speaking up. Some patients worry about being seen as difficult. A calm advocate can help communicate concerns respectfully and clearly, which may improve how the care team responds.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I know if I need a patient advocate?

You may benefit from a patient advocate if you feel overwhelmed by medical information, unsure about your options, or stuck in insurance and billing issues. Advocacy can also help when care involves multiple specialists, frequent appointments, or a major decision that affects daily life..

Can a family member serve as my advocate?

Yes. Many patients rely on a family member or close friend. A trusted person can attend appointments, take notes, help ask questions, and support follow-up tasks. It can help to choose someone who stays calm under stress and respects the patient’s preferences. If possible, talk in advance about what kind of help the patient wants, such as speaking during visits versus listening and taking notes.

Are patient advocates medically trained?

Some are, and some are not. Many advocates focus on communication, planning, and navigation rather than clinical decision-making. Even when an advocate has a clinical background, they generally do not replace a clinician’s role. Advocates can help patients ask better questions and understand choices, but medical advice should come from a licensed healthcare professional.

Takeaway

A patient advocate helps people navigate healthcare with more clarity and support by helping with communication, care coordination, and understanding options.

If you or a loved one is facing complex decisions, frequent appointments, or confusing paperwork, advocacy support may help. A professional advocate can provide structured guidance, and a trusted family member can often serve as a strong informal advocate, with the shared goal of helping the patient feel informed and supported. If you are looking for professional advocacy support, you can learn more at aviatorhealth.co/signup.

Medical Disclaimer

This article is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician, physical therapist, or other qualified healthcare provider with any questions you may have regarding mobility aids or medical conditions. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay seeking it because of something you have read in this article. If you are experiencing a medical emergency, call 911 or your local emergency services immediately.

Sources

National Cancer Institute. (n.d.). Patient advocate. NCI Dictionary of Cancer Terms. https://www.cancer.gov/publications/dictionaries/cancer-terms/def/patient-advocate

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (n.d.). Health literacy. https://www.cdc.gov/health-literacy/php/about/index.html

Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality. (n.d.). Shared decision making. https://www.ahrq.gov/sdm/about/index.html