A HUGE BILL ARRIVED TWO AND A HALF YEARS AFTER A VISIT TO THE EMERGENCY ROOM: WHAT TO DO? When Junko Arita, single mother of two, went to the emergency room in 2015, she was seeking treatment for an asthma attack. She gave hospital administration her insurance cards, one for hospital charges and one for …
What would you do if one day, the insurance that you paid into for over two decades, stopped paying for your life-saving drugs? Susan Unger is a 64-year-old New Yorker. Her life’s story can be traced across the city. She grew up in Long Island and began her career in the performing arts in Manhattan. …
This fall, we joined our advisor Anna Allen as she presented at Lenox Hill Greenwich Village. Anna is the founder of Say Ah!, an important partner of We The Patients. Say Ah!’s mission is to help people make smart choices about their health and manage their care in the face of today’s overwhelmingly complex health …
Headed to the hospital? Here are the 3 things you need to do NOW according to Say Ah! Read More »
If getting access to fair and safe healthcare is a fight, Ilene Corina is the kind of person you want in your corner. Corina is a Patient Safety Educator and Advocate, she is the President of the Pulse Center for Patient Safety, Education & Advocacy. Nearly 20 years old, Pulse CPSEA is the Long Island-born, …
Interview: Ilene Corina of the Pulse Center for Patient Safety Education & Advocacy Read More »
Did you catch us on Bronxtalk last week? If you didn’t, have no fear! Watch our episode below: Our host Gary Axelbank sat down with myself and Judy Sheridan-González, President of the NY State Nurses Association where we discussed healthcare and policy reform. The conversation quickly heated-up when we discussed patient experiences, particularly the challenges …
One cold evening in late October, a group of concerned health care consumers braved the after-work slump to join a group of like-minded individuals for an evening of advocacy and storytelling. From the women of Bethany Baptist Church to young #Insulin4All activists, the room was packed with future advocates ready to learn. How does legislative …
Event Video Recap: Highlights from our First Advocacy Hour! Read More »
Here’s something a lot of New Yorkers (and likely a lot of Americans) don’t know: Medicare penalizes your hospital if you have to come back too soon. It makes sense if you think about it: ideally, after you visit a hospital, you shouldn’t have to come back any time soon (if at all). If you …
Medicare hospital penalties shed light on the concept of “social determinants” of health Read More »
The Risk of Additional Hospital Fees, and What You Can Do to Avoid Them By Chuck Bell, advisor to We The Patients Over the last several years, health care companies have been buying up many other health care companies. Physician practices have merged with other physician practices to form larger groups. Hospitals have purchased many …
Facility Fees: “When the Doctor’s Visit Costs Double” by Chuck Bell Read More »
Sintora went in for a breast exam at Chelsea Medical Center at Mount Sinai. She signed all routine medical documents, paid her copay, saw her doctor, and had her exam. Or so she thought. Next came a $142 facility fee. Sintora told the doctor’s office she would NOT pay the bill. She pointed out, “if …
Nickel and Dimed to Death Over a $142 Facility Fee – Sintora Simpson, NYC Read More »
We are happy to announce our first Advocacy Hour on Thursday, October 24th from 6-7:30pm! Join us for a night of #advocacy and #storytelling. With a great line-up of speakers (policy experts, start-ups, & even a few surprise guests!) + interactive sessions (storytelling breakouts, patient video interviews, & more), its a night not to miss! Speakers include: …
