Open AccessEffective advocacy for patients with inflammatory bowel disease: Communication with insurance companies, school administrators, employers, and other health care overseers
Author(s) -
Jaff Jennifer C.,
Arnold Janis,
Bousvaros Athos
Publication year - 2006
Publication title -
inflammatory bowel diseases
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.932
H-Index - 146
eISSN - 1536-4844
pISSN - 1078-0998
DOI - 10.1097/00054725-200608000-00017
Subject(s) - inflammatory bowel disease , medicine , medical insurance , face (sociological concept) , public relations , quality (philosophy) , health care , affect (linguistics) , disease , business , family medicine , nursing , psychology , political science , actuarial science , law , sociology , social science , philosophy , communication , epistemology , pathology
In addition to their physical challenges, children and adolescents with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) living in the United States face a number of administrative and regulatory hurdles that affect their quality of life. This article, written by a physician, attorney/patient advocate, and social worker, discusses a number of these challenges and describes how the provider can help his or her patient overcome them. Specifically, the article discusses 4 areas in detail: appeals of denials of coverage from insurance companies and third party payors; assisting children with IBD with classroom and school accommodations; assisting uninsured children in obtaining Social Security benefits; and aiding a parent to care for their child using the Family and Medical Leave Act. Although this article has a pediatric focus, adults have similar advocacy needs. Case examples and sample letters to third‐party payors, schools, and employers are included in this article.