Understanding the Role of Patient Care Advocates
When you reach out through our secure, HIPAA-compliant chat, you’re connecting with a key member of your care team.
This article will provide an in-depth understanding of our Patient Care Advocates, their various roles, the work they do to empower you during your healthcare journey, and how they ensure you are offered the highest standard of patient care.
Who Are Circle Medical's Patient Care Advocates?
Patient Care Advocates (PCA)s are non-clinical professionals dedicated to making your healthcare experience as smooth and comfortable as possible.
Our PCAs are part of specialized teams (such as Billing, Referrals and Imaging, and Medical Records) to provide a comprehensive, responsive support network that addresses your needs and concerns.
Services Offered by Our Patient Care Advocates
Our PCAs provide a wide range of support services, including:
Scheduling Issues: PCAs facilitate the setup or rescheduling of appointments when things go wrong and quickly resolve them, keeping in mind the availability and constraints of both our healthcare providers and our patients.
General Questions: PCAs are available to answer your questions related to our practice, different areas of care, and general insurance and eligibility questions.
Imaging and Referral Coordination: PCA specialists oversee the process of imaging and referrals, coordinating between different departments and healthcare providers to match you to facilities that accept your insurance.
Medical Records Requests and Releases: PCA specialists coordinate with outside facilities to carry out medical records requests and releases. They ensure your records are processed in keeping with HIPAA and internal privacy protocols.
Prior Authorizations: PCA specialists assist in obtaining necessary preapprovals from your insurance company for certain medical procedures or medications.
Billing Support: PCA specialists are ready to assist with billing and invoice-related queries and concerns and can help you understand your bill.
Technical Support: If you face any technical issues during your appointments, our PCAs are on hand to help you get connected to your provider.
Prescription and Pharmacy Issues: PCAs can help you resolve issues related to your prescriptions and address difficulties obtaining medications.
Assist Providers: PCAs carry out many specific tasks assigned by your providers to help facilitate your care.
Our Commitment to Your Privacy and Security
Your privacy and security are our highest priorities. All of our team members, including PCAs, undergo rigorous HIPAA and privacy training. Our teams implement and uphold strict protocols to ensure the safety of your information.
The PCA team communicates through our website or via our secure, HIPAA-compliant Circle Medical app, and only team members directly involved in your care may view your records and files. The PCA team will only access your information for the sole purpose of delivering and coordinating your care.
The Core Values of Our Patient Care Advocates
Our assessment of a PCA's performance is continuous; it involves the consideration of their capabilities and how closely the individual reflects Circle Medical's guiding principles.
Patient satisfaction and the impact of their work are crucial measures of their success. However, at the heart of their assessment lies their adherence to our core values: a profound commitment to patient care, uncompromising honesty, transparency, and a deep respect for diversity.
These values serve as guiding lights in their interactions with you and shape their integral role in your healthcare journey.