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Frequently Asked Questions
How much does it cost to have an advocate?
There is no charge for At Your Side advocate services.
Will my advocate provide medical services?
No. Advocates will not provide any medical care or treatment.
Will my advocate make decisions for me?
Advocates also will not make medical or treatment decisions for clients. The client will at all times be responsible for making his or her own medical decisions.
How much time will my advocate spend with me?
The time that advocates can spend with clients varies greatly, because being an advocate is a volunteer job. The amount of time that the volunteer advocate will be available may depend on many factors. However, advocates will keep their clients informed of the amount of time they have available.
Will my advocate keep my health information private and confidential?
Generally, Advocates and other individuals associated with the At Your Side Medical Advocate Program will keep all conversations, observations, notes and memoranda confidential. There may be special circumstances, however, when your advocate or another individual associated with At Your Side might share your personal health information (as noted in the next two questions).
Are there times when my advocate or At Your Side can share my health information?
Yes. Here are some special circumstances when your Advocate or At Your Side might share your health information:
- When you give written permission for your advocate or someone else at At Your Side to share information with specifically designated individuals.
- When the law says that At Your Side must share health information or may share health information, such as in response to a court order.
- Your advocate may share information about you with personnel associated with At Your Side or in conversations or in training with other advocates, while constantly maintaining your confidentiality and privacy.
Will At Your Side advocates use my story in presentations, print or web materials?
The At Your Side Medical Advocate Program may want to use your story to show others in the community the value of patient advocacy. However, we will not use your story without your written permission.
If you give us permission to use your story, we will not use your name or any other information that could identify you, unless you specifically give written permission allowing us to identify you.
What happens if my advocate is not available when I need him or her?
If your volunteer advocate is temporarily unavailable, At Your Side might ask another volunteer to be your "alternate advocate." If that happens, your advocate will do his or her best to talk to the alternate about your health status before you meet him or her, if there is time.
What if I want to end the relationship with my advocate?
You may ask the At Your Side Program Coordinator to stop providing services at any time for any reason at all.
Can my advocate end the relationship with me?
Yes. Your volunteer advocate or At Your Side may stop providing services to you at any time, without giving a reason or justification. If that happens, your advocate will try to tell you in advance, and the Program Coordinator will help with the transition to another advocate or help you plan to be without advocate services.
Neither At Your Side nor your volunteer advocate can guarantee that an acceptable or suitable replacement will be available.
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