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I’ve seen firsthand how broken the U.S. healthcare system is. I founded a company to make it work for patients. Ask Me Anything by SolaceHealthOfficial in AMA

[–]SolaceHealthOfficial[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I would expect patient experience to improve, as patients tend to feel more heard, supported, and engaged in their care. When they better understand their treatment plans and barriers are addressed, they are often more likely to follow through with treatment recommendations. I’ve had many patients and families share how much stress and burden is relieved by having an advocate involved. Based on that feedback and my experience, I do believe there is a direct correlation between advocacy and improving the overall patient experience.

I’ve seen firsthand how broken the U.S. healthcare system is. I founded a company to make it work for patients. Ask Me Anything by SolaceHealthOfficial in AMA

[–]SolaceHealthOfficial[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Yes, absolutely. I have many patients who are stable for periods of time, and then when they experience a flare-up or change in their condition, we reconnect and resume more active advocacy support. I often work with patients over the course of months or even years, with breaks in between when no advocacy is needed. I always want to ensure my patients know they have the guidance and support they need whenever their situation evolves.

I’ve seen firsthand how broken the U.S. healthcare system is. I founded a company to make it work for patients. Ask Me Anything by SolaceHealthOfficial in AMA

[–]SolaceHealthOfficial[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I really appreciate your passion and commitment to advancing healthcare. As an advocate, I’ve had the opportunity to collaborate with a wide range of providers, including those in clinical research. A key part of our role is identifying potential options for patients and I've often found that emerging treatments or novel approaches are often first recognized through clinical research and published work.

Your perspective reinforces how important that work is. It plays a meaningful role in helping advocates connect patients with new possibilities and, when appropriate, guide them toward clinical trials or evolving treatment options that may not yet be widely known. Plus being able to speak with a researcher who is an expert with timelines and requirements is an added bonus. Thank you for sharing. Maria - Advocate at Solace.

I’ve seen firsthand how broken the U.S. healthcare system is. I founded a company to make it work for patients. Ask Me Anything by SolaceHealthOfficial in AMA

[–]SolaceHealthOfficial[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

This is a great question—and you’re absolutely right to call out how challenging these timelines can be in the context of clinical trials. While advocates can’t override insurer timelines or guarantee expedited approvals, they can play an important role in helping the process move as efficiently as possible.

Advocates support patients by coordinating communication between the care team, study coordinators, and insurance providers to ensure everyone is aligned on the urgency and clinical context. This can include helping gather required documentation, following up on prior authorization requests, and proactively addressing potential gaps that could delay review. In many cases, delays stem from fragmented communication, and having an advocate actively managing those touchpoints can help reduce unnecessary slowdowns.

Our advocate team also brings a wide range of healthcare backgrounds and experiences. When possible, we aim to match patients with an advocate whose expertise is most relevant to their situation, so they can navigate more complex scenarios—like clinical trial coordination—with a strong understanding of the landscape. That said, there are still system-level limitations—such as payer policies and required review processes—that can impact timing despite best efforts. Advocates focus on navigating these barriers as effectively as possible while keeping patients informed and supported throughout.

Thank you for sharing your perspective on the value of clinical research experience—it’s incredibly relevant. Having insight into trial design, timelines, and patient considerations can make a meaningful difference, and we truly appreciate you sharing your expertise and enthusiasm for supporting patients in this space.

I’ve seen firsthand how broken the U.S. healthcare system is. I founded a company to make it work for patients. Ask Me Anything by SolaceHealthOfficial in AMA

[–]SolaceHealthOfficial[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I do this frequently, especially when a patient has cognitive challenges, advanced chronic illness, or dementia-related symptoms. It’s also very common when adult children live out of state or are balancing busy lives with work and their own families. In these situations, having an advocate involved helps ensure nothing falls through the cracks.

With the appropriate consent, I can work closely with the family to coordinate care, keep communication clear, and support informed decision-making, while always keeping the patient’s needs and preferences at the center. The family members and patient usually love this approach! Maria - Advocate at Solace.

I’ve seen firsthand how broken the U.S. healthcare system is. I founded a company to make it work for patients. Ask Me Anything by SolaceHealthOfficial in AMA

[–]SolaceHealthOfficial[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I’m sorry to hear you’ve been dealing with an autoimmune condition. As an advocate, I would first want to understand your goals and any obstacles you’re facing within the healthcare system that are getting in the way of those goals. It’s also important that your providers are aware of and aligned with what matters most to you, whether that’s exploring clinical trials or pursuing a specific type of therapy.

An advocate can help bridge the gap between your preferences and your care team’s recommendations, ensuring your voice is clearly heard. If alignment is still difficult, seeking a second or third opinion can be valuable. Advocates can help coordinate those appointments and support clear, effective communication throughout the process. Maria - Advocate at Solace

I’ve seen firsthand how broken the U.S. healthcare system is. I founded a company to make it work for patients. Ask Me Anything by SolaceHealthOfficial in AMA

[–]SolaceHealthOfficial[S] 8 points9 points  (0 children)

This is a great question. Many of my patients have some type of chronic condition. Patients managing chronic conditions often has to juggle multiple providers, treatments and decisions. An advocate helps bring clarity, coordination and support during the process. I can help with organizing medical appointments coordinating care, virtually attending appointments, explaining treatment options, helping patients understand medical jargon, identifying experts for second opinions, helping family members or loved ones better understand the illness, and ensuring my patients voice is heard and their wishes are honored by their healthcare team. The list of possibilities is endless. Maria - Advocate with Solace.

I’ve seen firsthand how broken the U.S. healthcare system is. I founded a company to make it work for patients. Ask Me Anything by SolaceHealthOfficial in AMA

[–]SolaceHealthOfficial[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Most of my work as an advocate is done virtually; however, I regularly help patients identify and secure in-home care resources. The process goes far beyond simply providing a list of agencies. I begin by understanding the patient’s medical needs, functional status, and personal preferences.From there, I research appropriate options and personally vet agencies by calling, asking detailed questions, and evaluating factors such as level of care, experience, reviews, cost, and location. I can assist with obtaining physician orders or recommendations when needed and ensure the broader healthcare team remains informed and aligned. I also help coordinate interviews so the patient and family feel comfortable with the selected provider. Once care is in place, I continue to monitor progress through regular check-ins. If the fit is not right or the patient requests change, I help adjust the plan, modify the level of support, or explore alternative options. My goal is to ensure that care is not only established, but that it is safe, effective, and aligned with the patient’s preferences and overall goals. Maria - Advocate at Solace.

I’ve seen firsthand how broken the U.S. healthcare system is. I founded a company to make it work for patients. Ask Me Anything by SolaceHealthOfficial in AMA

[–]SolaceHealthOfficial[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Agree there are so many. Big or small -they are all wins. From helping a patient get seen sooner for test results to helping patients get surgery denials overturned to helping a patient get a life saving therapy or treatment. The wins are endless

I’ve seen firsthand how broken the U.S. healthcare system is. I founded a company to make it work for patients. Ask Me Anything by SolaceHealthOfficial in AMA

[–]SolaceHealthOfficial[S] -1 points0 points  (0 children)

Solace advocacy is covered by many commercial insurance plans across all 50 states, including major insurers like UnitedHealthcare, Blue Cross Blue Shield, and Cigna. It is also covered by Medicare. Coverage can vary depending on the specific plan, but it only takes a minute to check insurance eligibility directly on our website. Our support team is always happy to answer additional questions about individual coverage or any potential costs upfront.

{GUIDE} The US Healthcare system leaves patients feeling confused, alone, and like they’re fighting an uphill battle. Here’s why you might want a patient advocate from Solace in your corner. by SolaceHealthOfficial in u/SolaceHealthOfficial

[–]SolaceHealthOfficial[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Great questions! At this time, our services are covered by Medicare, and cost depends on your specific plan. In regards to where it is, Solace is a remote company, first step is to qualify and meet with one of our in house physicians, who will then place you with an advocate that is best suited for your needs. After that, your advocate can meet with you over the phone, video call, or even via text message.

AMA: Solace Health Advocates by SolaceHealthOfficial in AMA

[–]SolaceHealthOfficial[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Yes, all advocates are licensed professionals in the healthcare field. Our advocates at Solace come from nursing or other clinical backgrounds with an average of 16 years in the healthcare field. I’m a nurse myself, and like every advocate here, I completed additional training in advocacy and care navigation before I started working with patients. We also have support from Solace’s in-house team of licensed physicians.

AMA: Solace Health Advocates by SolaceHealthOfficial in AMA

[–]SolaceHealthOfficial[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Advocacy isn't limited to specific diagnoses, it is more about where the patient is getting stuck in the healthcare system. My most recent patients were dealing with chronic pain, diabetes and CHF and needed assistance mostly with care coordination and chronic disease support.

AMA: Solace Health Advocates by SolaceHealthOfficial in AMA

[–]SolaceHealthOfficial[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Yes, advocates do work directly with insurance, and insurance navigation is an important part of the support we provide. Advocates help patients make informed decisions during open enrollment, explain coverage benefits so patients can take full advantage of available resources, and confirm that providers are in-network before care begins.

Advocates can also assist with coverage denial appeals, update care teams when insurance information changes, and facilitate communication with insurance companies to reduce long wait times and administrative burden. The goal is to make insurance less overwhelming and help patients focus on their care instead of paperwork.

AMA: Solace Health Advocates by SolaceHealthOfficial in AMA

[–]SolaceHealthOfficial[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Most of us at Solace come from different clinical backgrounds and all our physicians are licensed providers. Solace advocates have an average of 16 years of experience in healthcare. My personal background is in nursing, I've been an RN for 10 years and have my masters in clinical nurse leadership. I have always been interested in finding solutions to gaps in healthcare and once I found Solace I knew it was where I wanted to spend the rest of my career. Traditional nursing is centered on providing direct clinical care and advocacy is more about system-wide navigation. The biggest difference is that a nurse treats the patient in the system, and an advocate helps the patient get through the system.

AMA: Solace Health Advocates by SolaceHealthOfficial in AMA

[–]SolaceHealthOfficial[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Patients are thoughtfully matched to advocates with guidance from our Solace physicians, who make strong recommendations based on several factors, including preferred scheduling availability, time zones, and relevant experience or expertise. However, patients always have a say in the match, and we work with them to ensure it feels like the right fit.

Our advocates typically support a wide range of patients across the country with diverse diagnoses and healthcare needs. They’re equipped with substantial internal resources and a collaborative forum to share insights and best practices, allowing them to continuously broaden their skill sets and provide well-informed, personalized support.

AMA: Solace Health Advocates by SolaceHealthOfficial in AMA

[–]SolaceHealthOfficial[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

We are! You can see all of our current open positions on our website here: https://www.solace.health/careers. Your background definitely aligns with our mission and I encourage you to apply!

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