Nation's Leading Patient Advocate Organization Rapidly Expands with Two New Offices

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Feb 15, 2011, 02:44 ET

Significant Patient and Staff Growth Leads PAF to Provide Further Professional Case Management Services to Uninsured, Underinsured Americans

HAMPTON, Va., Feb. 15, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Patient Advocate Foundation (PAF) – a national non-profit organization that seeks to safeguard patients through effective mediation assuring access to care, maintenance of employment and preservation of their financial stability relative to their diagnosis of life threatening or debilitating diseases – today announced the opening of new offices in the Outer Banks, NC and San Antonio, TX. These new offices will offer professional case management services to local residents.

PAF provides case management assistance to patients across the country. Texas is the second largest referral state and North Carolina remains one of the top ten states for the number of patient referrals and requests for mediation. In 2009 alone, 380,805 Texas patients contacted PAF for information, and 5,251 patients required one-on-one case management service, while 128,542 North Carolina patients contacted PAF for information, and 1,772 patients required one-on-one case management services.

"We are excited and proud to extend case management services to the underserved residents of The Outer Banks and San Antonio," said Nancy Davenport-Ennis, CEO of PAF. "We strive to provide helpful and convenient resources and information to our patients, and by opening these two new offices, we are able to help more Americans access the quality care they need and deserve."

In May 2007, Ronnie Bunch, Outer Banks resident, contacted PAF for assistance after he was denied coverage for a stem cell transplant due to pre-existing medical conditions. "What I couldn't get done in three months, my case manager completed in three days and got me approved for transplant. Throughout the process, I was impressed with my case manager's professionalism and knowledge. I felt like she really cared about me as a person; like a close family member."

In August 2010, Diane Morales, San Antonio resident, contacted PAF for assistance after she was diagnosed with stage IV breast cancer and had multiple financial issues as a result of treatment and co-payments. PAF was able to help Morales with daily living expenses, her mortgage, utilities, car payment and medical co-payments. "If it wasn't for PAF, I would be living on the streets undergoing cancer treatment. PAF saved my house, provided me assistance with co-payments for my medicines and doctor visits, and brought peace to me during an extremely trying time."

PAF case managers assist patients with applying, expediting and appealing Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI), Supplemental Security Income (SSI), Long Term Disability (LTD) and/or Short Term Disability (STD). They negotiate funding and/or insurance coverage to access medical devices, surgical procedures and medications. They arbitrate with facilities obtaining medical discounts and/or write-offs for services. PAF also assists in the procurement of free or reduced medication or nutrition as well as housing, utilities, and free or reduced transportation and lodging for patients who must travel for treatment. Case managers also address COBRA, Medicaid, Medicare, and HIPAA plan issues related to diagnoses.

Headquartered in Hampton, VA, Patient Advocate Foundation has experienced tremendous growth since its initial staff size of two in 1996. PAF has more than 230 employees today, with offices located in Florida, Iowa, Texas, California, North Carolina and New York. As the United States moves forward with health reform implementation, case complexity is on the rise with more than 23 percent of patients reporting two or more health conditions at a time. More consumers are requesting assistance from PAF about medical debt crisis and health care benefits, which accounts for the recent surge in patient calls and the recent hiring of 30 new case managers. Since 1998, PAF has seen a 132% increase in the number of resolved patient cases.

Tracey Rock, registered nurse and resident of the Outer Banks, is located at the Baum Center, 300 Mustian Street, Kill Devil Hills, NC 27948. Tracey recently worked for the Dare County hospice and prior to that, the Outer Banks hospital. Senior case managers, Elaine Martinez, LPN and Yashia Clark, LBSW relocated from national headquarters and are located at 8401 Datapoint Drive, San Antonio, TX 78229. North Carolina and San Antonio residents can contact PAF at 1-800-532-5274.

PAF handled more than 82,000 cases nationally in 2010.

Patient Advocate Foundation is a national non-profit organization that seeks to safeguard patients through effective mediation assuring access to care, maintenance of employment and preservation of their financial stability. PAF is on the frontlines of the healthcare access battle millions of Americans fight every day. Last year alone, PAF received in excess of 4 million contacts from patients, family members and care professionals requesting access to care information and assistance. Of those contacts, PAF's professional senior patient navigators successfully resolved 55,384 cases for patients that required direct, sustained mediation and arbitration services. For more information about Patient Advocate Foundation, please visit www.patientadvocate.org or call toll free (800) 532-5274.

SOURCE Patient Advocate Foundation