Podcasts about patient care advocate

This episode Dr. Mitzi chats with her super friends Dr. Heidi Crayton, Medical Director of the MS Center of Greater Washington in Vienna, VA and Tylor "TC Speaks" Campbell, Patient Care Advocate, author, radio host and Speaker about MS Awareness.

Welcome back to season six of This is Infertility! As you may have heard from the trailer, we have a new season filled with new guests, new stories, and new twists and turns but one thing that has stayed constant through all the episodes and seasons – people who want to share their story with the infertility community.  In today's episode, we hear from Russ Freyman, a former Google employee, who wanted to continue to build his family with his wife. After trying for some time, they found themselves hitting a wall. So, they decided to turn to medical intervention. While they were going through treatment, Russ and his wife kept reminding each other, there was nothing wrong with facing this challenge. People start their families in so many different ways and this was just part of their story. Russ dives into their diagnosis, different treatment paths, how Progyny's Patient Care Advocate saved the day, and an unexpected twist at the end.   Guest: Russ Freyman, Progyny member   Host: Dan Bulger, Progyny  For more information, visit Progyny's Podcast page and Progyny's Education page for more resources. Be sure to follow us on Instagram, @ThisisInfertilityPodcast, and use the #ThisisInfertility. Have a question, comment, or want to share your story? Email us at thisisinfertility@progyny.com. 

Marilyn Gomez is a mother to a rainbow baby named Mila. But like many Latin women, she faced many stereotypical assumptions and comments as she worked to grow her family. After five and a half years of Clomid, IUI, and IVF, she and her husband finally found success after pairing their treatment with pre-implantation genetic testing, increasing their odds of a healthy pregnancy and baby.   In this episode, we hear from Marilyn about something that changed her life completely — the infertility community. This community became the support system she needed during her treatment. These friends have been through the thick of infertility with her, and inspired her to create her own community with inspirational t-shirts called, Infertile Tees.  We're also hosting a webinar called, “Infertility in the Latinx and Hispanic Communities”, that will feature Marilyn Gomez and dive into common myths about infertility in these communities, how to get the support you need, and where to access information and care. This discussion is open to anyone who wants to learn more about a family building journey and is free and open to anyone who would like to attend. For more information and to register for this webinar, see here.  Guest: Marilyn Gomez  Host: Crystal Cid, Patient Care Advocate at Progyny  For more information, visit Progyny's Podcast page and Progyny's Education page for more resources. Be sure to follow us on Instagram, @ThisisInfertilityPodcast and use the #ThisisInfertility. Have a question, comment, or want to share your story? Email us at thisisinfertility@progyny.com. 

While fertility treatments have certainly become more innovative, that doesn’t mean they are any less expensive. IVF can cost anywhere from $15,000 – 20,000, and even IUI, a less invasive treatment, can cost $1,000 – 2,000. These treatments are usually not covered by insurance, leaving many individuals and couples paying thousands of dollars out-of-pocket. So, what’s an individual supposed to do when they can’t afford treatment? In this episode, we hear from Sharika Ramseur, who’s been struggling to have a child with her husband Gabriel for almost eight years. After seeing a number of specialists, the couple discovered that Gabriel had male factor infertility, and were recommended to try IUI – the only problem was they couldn’t afford more than one round. Luckily, Sharika had an extremely supportive community of friends and colleagues at the hospital she worked at. We hear from Lauren and Megan, Sharika’s co-workers who fundraised almost $4,000 to help cover the costs of IUI. But even this generous gift still wasn’t enough. The couple was then told that IVF would be their best option to get pregnant, which costs a lot more than what Sharika could afford. Once again, Sharika’s co-workers went the extra mile and applied for a grant that helps couples pay for fertility treatments. Through the help of The Samantha and Kyle Busch Bundle of Joy Fund, Sharika and her husband were able to afford one round of IVF. We’ll hear Sharika’s heartwarming story of getting pregnant after a long journey of infertility and welcoming her baby girl into the world. Guests: Sharika Ramseur, Bundle of Joy recipient, and Lauren Strain and Megan England Host: Claire O’Neill, Patient Care Advocate at Progyny For more information visit Progyny’s Podcast page, and The Samantha and Kyle Busch Bundle of Joy Fund. You can watch Sharika and Gabriel receive their Bundle of Joy grant here. You can find the episode that dives into the creation of The Bundle of Joy Fund You can find the podcast episode that dives into Samantha Busch creating the Bundle of Joy Fund here. Have a question, comment, or want to share your story? Email us at thisisinfertility@progyny.com.

We’ve covered the cost effectiveness of pre-implantation genetic testing for aneuploidy, or PGT-A. In today’s episode, we are going to learn about something called non-invasive pre-implantation genetic testing for aneuploidy (they don’t have an acronym for it yet because it’s still in clinical trials). We’ll hear from Dr. Mandy Katz-Jaffe, a Reproductive Geneticist and the Scientific and Genetics Director at CCRM. She’ll break down how this test could work, the advantages this could have for patients, and where they are in the process of clinical trials. Today’s host is Claire O’Neill, Patient Care Advocate at Progyny. Guests include: Dr. Mandy Katz-Jaffe, a Reproductive Geneticist and the Scientific and Genetics Director at CCRM. For more information, visit Progyny's Podcast page: http://www.progyny.com/podcast and CCRM: https://www.ccrmivf.com Have a question, comment, or want to share your story? Email us at thisisinfertility@progyny.com

It can be hard to balance a demanding workplace with a goal of family building. If the first step to having a baby for many is timed intercourse, how do you manage when you have no time for intercourse? In today’s episode, we’ll hear from Staff Sergeant Helena Giammarco who plays the French Horn in the United States Airforce band. She and her husband had no trouble conceiving their first child, but when they tried for a second, they faced roadblock after roadblock. We’ll hear about Helena’s experience, and learn a little about what it’s like to be infertile in the military. Today’s host is Jasmine Villa, Patient Care Advocate at Progyny. Guests include: Helena Giammarco, Staff Sergeant in the US Airforce For more information, visit Progyny's Podcast page http://www.progyny.com/podcast Learn more about SWAN, The Service Women's Action Network, at https://www.servicewomen.org/ Have a question, comment, or want to share your story? Email us at thisisinfertility@progyny.com

Life is filled with shifting priorities. Your focus when you were younger is a lot different than your focus now. As you enter the workforce, especially as a woman, shifting priorities doesn’t stop, and the choices get tougher. If your workplace doesn’t support your family building needs, you may need to find one that does. But after years of struggling to start your family, followed by years supporting it, can you ever reclaim the career you left behind? In this episode, we hear from Jenny Galluzzo, co-founder of The Second Shift, who struggled with infertility before having two children, and found the career she worked so hard to build was suddenly not working for her new lifestyle.  Today’s host is Janelle Branch, Patient Care Advocate at Progyny. Guests include: Jenny Galluzzo, Co-Founder of The Second Shift For more information, visit Progyny's Podcast page: http://www.progyny.com/podcast Have a question, comment, or want to share your story? Email us at thisisinfertility@progyny.com

Heather Huhman and her husband struggled with infertility for years, enduring trauma after trauma, until finally they met their daughter, Aurora. But Heather wanted some good to come out of her pain, so she has dedicated herself full time to helping others via her twice a week podcast, Beat Infertility. In this episode we will hear about her struggle, how she got through it, and learn why she says her podcast gave her the hope and perspective she needed to carry on. Today’s host is Janelle Branch, Patient Care Advocate at Progyny. Guests include: Heather Huhman from Beat Infertility For more information, visit Progyny's Podcast page: http://www.progyny.com/podcast and Beat Infertility: https://beatinfertility.com Have a question, comment, or want to share your story? Email us at thisisinfertility@progyny.com

Julie Hunt had been a Patient Care Advocate for years, and in that time she became an expert in all things related to fertility, like PCOS. How could it be that years later, at 27 years old, she discovered that she had PCOS the entire time? In the final episode of our three part series in honor of PCOS Awareness Month, host Julie Hunt, Business Development Associate at Progyny, discusses her own experience with PCOS, and her winding road to diagnosis with her good friend and colleague Lissa Kline, Director of Member Services at Progyny. Today’s Host is Julie Hunt. Guests: Lissa Kline Host: Julie Hunt For more information visit: www.progyny.com/pcos www.progyny.com/podcast Have a question, comment, or want to share your story? Email us at thisisinfertility@progyny.com

It’s often crucial for people going through fertility treatments to have an outlet for their emotions. Today’s guests, Matt Mira, and Doree Shafrir have created their own outlet: their hit podcast Matt and Doree’s Eggcellent Adventure. Matt is a television writer (ABC’s The Goldbergs) and veteran podcaster, and Doree is an author (Startup), and together they share their story of male factor infertility, unexpected hurdles, and what it’s like to podcast their way through all of it. Today’s host is LaTisha Maxwell, Patient Care Advocate at Progyny. Guests include: Matt Mira, Doree Shafrir, and Dr. Natan Bar-Chama of RMA of NY. For more information, visit https://progyny.com/podcast/ and https://eggcellentadventure.com/ We have a new instagram page! Find us at @thisisinfertilitypodcast Have a question, comment, or want to share your story? Email us at thisisinfertility@progyny.com

 Sasha Lauren, a writer of flash fiction, screenplays, poetry, and articles on health currently lives in California where she works passionately as a patient safety activist. As founder of Epiphany Scripts, she was as a script doctor in Hollywood where she did page one rewrites for individuals and studios. Several of her stories written in her signature whimsical prose won contests, and poems, articles, and stories have been published. She looking for an agent for The Paris Predicament her first full-length literary fiction about Camille, a gamine twenty-seven year old American ex-pat who chalked portraitures on the sidewalk in front of the Louvre and led an enchanting life until she committed an unintentional crime and headed out for a life on the run.  She has three creative pages -- for poetry, flash fiction / short stories, and art. https://www.facebook.com/PoetryIsMyPrayer/ https://www.facebook.com/SashaLaurenFlashFiction/  https://www.instagram.com/sasha_lauren_artist/

In this episode of Focus on Fertility we stop to talk about an option many employers are starting to utilize to assist their employees with infertility benefit coverage, Progyny. Progyny’s patient care supervisor, Taylor Burbach, introduces how Progyny works with their patients members to provide a unique approach to fertility benefit coverage. Unlike with traditional insurance where the insurance company plays a minimalistic role in the process by only providing information on the exact coverage available and payout for services, Progyny, acts to be a partner through the process. Each member receives their very own Patient Care Advocate to be a resource. From simply talking all things fertility to assisting with coordination of appointments to finding the right clinic and even emotional support, Progyny’s patient care advocates are there the entire way. Does your company have benefit coverage you were unaware of? Taylor helps provide insight as to how to learn whether you might have hidden benefits and if benefits are not currently offered some tips on how to discuss the topic with your company. Some companies currently utilizing Progyny Microsoft Cooper Surgical AT&T Tyson eBay Facebook Google Hearst Guitar Center News Corp Square Uber (please note this list may not be up to date…be sure to check with your human resource department for the most updated information)

In the previous episode, you heard about Gretchen Rossi and Slade Smiley’s fertility journey. In this episode you’ll hear their hilarious story about how they finally got to their reproductive endocrinologist, Dr. Mark Surrey from SCRC. Today’s host is Lissa Kline, Director of Member Services at Progyny. For those who are still searching for a fertility specialist, check out Progyny’s Provider Network. If you’re a Progyny member, please contact your dedicated Patient Care Advocate.

According to a recent study by Reproductive Medicine Associates of NJ, almost 58% of people are forced to forego fertility treatment due to the anticipated financial burden. But what if your employer covered your treatment? We hear from Lindsey and Chrissy Callahan who were eager to start a family when they learned their employer-sponsored inclusive benefit would make their dream of having a child a reality. Today’s host is Manuela Henderson, Patient Care Advocate, Progyny. Guests include, Lindsey & Chrissy Callahan For more information, visit www.progyny.com/podcast For additional resources: www.resolve.org www.familyequality.org www.menhavingbabies.org www.progyny.com/education Have a question, comment, or want to share your story? Email us at thisisinfertility@progyny.com

Any fertility journey can be complex, but for same-sex couples there are additional legal and political challenges that vary state by state. We hear from Trystan Reese, a transgender activist who works to ensure that every LGBTQ person has the right and ability to start their own family at Family Equality Council, and Theresa Witherspoon who, with her wife, found their family through reciprocal IVF. Today’s host is Parawana Yasmin, Patient Care Advocate, Progyny. Guests include, Trystan Reese, Director of Family Formation at Family Equality Council, and Theresa Witherspoon. For more information visit: www.progyny.com/podcast and www.familyequality.org Have a question, comment, or want to share your story? Email us at thisisinfertility@progyny.com

Our Patient Care Advocates (PCAs) are the front-line representatives of Express Scripts. They’re typically the first interaction people have with us when they call with a question. In this episode, Marquita Eberhart talks with us about the life of a PCA and the resources she’s using to balance her career today while planning for her future. We discuss Marquita’s advice for a new PCA, what a typical day looks like and what was going through her mind when she got her very first patient call.

Joe Gilmore is a Dorchester resident-focused on changing the stigma about marijuana consumption. As President of Students for Sensible Drug Policy at UMass Boston, Joey mobilized students on campus and around Boston to campaign for the Yes On 4 Initiative to legalize marijuana in Massachusetts. He is employed as a Patient Care Advocate at Garden Remedies, a medical marijuana dispensary in Newton, MA. As Co-Founder of the Massachusetts Recreational Consumer Council, Joey spends his time working with MRCC to create an informed, well-regulated, and equitable cannabis industry focused on consumer safety, community involvement, and reparation for those disproportionately affected by marijuana prohibition.

Joe Gilmore is a Dorchester resident-focused on changing the stigma about marijuana consumption. As President of Students for Sensible Drug Policy at UMass Boston, Joey mobilized students on campus and around Boston to campaign for the Yes On 4 Initiative to legalize marijuana in Massachusetts. He is employed as a Patient Care Advocate at Garden Remedies, a medical marijuana dispensary in Newton, MA. As Co-Founder of the Massachusetts Recreational Consumer Council, Joey spends his time working with MRCC to create an informed, well-regulated, and equitable cannabis industry focused on consumer safety, community involvement, and reparation for those disproportionately affected by marijuana prohibition.

Welcome Medicare Nation! Today we wrap up our “trilogy” about Care Coordination by talking to Patient Advocate Karyn Rizzo!   Karyn wrote the book - Aging in America - What you need to know about Navigating our Healthcare System   Karyn’s book is available on Amazon. It covers everything from finding a primary care physician, choosing Medicare programs, and also some information for LGBT friendly providers, and safety tips, fall prevention etc. It just covers lots of real life issues that you face, including respite and how to take a break from care giving!   The book came out of the needs Karyn saw in her work everyday! She knew there was so much information she needed to cover, so she created a powerful resource in the book!   Fall prevention tips that Karyn provides in the book:   Eliminate rugs in the bathroom and other rooms of the house Check the types of shoes to make sure they don’t contribute to a fall Falls happen in the middle of the night going to bathroom, so install rails Is walker or cane easily accessible from the bed? Do you have motion sensor lighting? Medications can contribute to falls   Another great resource on fall prevention is mayoclinic,org   Advocacy for Patients is important today because of the following factors:   Healthcare providers don’t have the time to spend with you explaining things Insurance companies have complex coverage rules Healthcare treatment options are more complicated than ever         What a Patient Advocate Does:   Individuals that directly advocate for the patient Neutral parties hired by the family - not employed by hospital or insurance company Evaluate the care plan for the patient Advocate will put together a care plan that meets the patient's needs Works through the process of appealing insurance and hospital decisions They know the system, the lingo, and the rules, so they can use them to the patient’s advantage Knows what programs the patient is eligible for and how to get you on the right program for them Advocate can also help involve other specialty Physicians to evaluate the best treatment plan for the patient Advocates can also help navigate care options for Hospice and understand when it is appropriate and when other options are better for the patient. Hospice does have a Home Health division and it can be confusing between that and end of life Hospice care, so the patient advocate can make sure you are on the appropriate service. Healthcare regulations vary from state to state, so it’s important to get accurate help navigating the system.       Where do you find a Patient Advocate?   Sometimes called a Geriatric Care Manager, Social Service Agencies - There is a national website that provides a directory of caregivers:     CareManager.org CareGiver.org AgingGuidebook1.com - Karyn’s website has TONS of resources     What type of Licensing does a Patient Care Advocate have?   Every state calls the role something different, but there are programs that certify in each state.  Generally, they are nurses or social workers, or have equivalent experience. Licensing or certification is required for this role.     A Geriatric Care Manager is a position that you will have to pay for. Case managers that are paid by Medicare, the hospital or the insurance company will always represent those organization’s interest first, and yours afterward.   It is worth every penny to have someone in the trenches that is representing your best interests!     Online Tools when you are out of state from the patient:     ecarediary.com reunioncare.com   These websites create a circle of care that allows everyone in that circle to have access to all the information and take action on different aspects of the care for the patient from where ever they are in the world.         Got questions about Patient Advocacy?   Karyn could assist in a consultative role if you are not located in FL. She can direct you to resources in your area.     Karyn can be reached:   By Phone: 727-452-1300    By Email: info@agingguidebook1.com   Do you have questions or feedback? I’d love to hear it! I may answer one of your questions on the air! email me: support@themedicarenation.com Thank you for listening! If you enjoyed this podcast, please subscribe and leave a 5 star rating and review in iTunes! (Click here)     Find out more information about Medicare on Diane Daniel’s website! www.CallSamm.com