What is a Healthcare Advocate—and Why Might You Need One?
If you or your loved one is feeling overwhelmed by a medical diagnosis, hospital stay, chronic condition, or complex treatment plan, a Healthcare Advocate can help you take back control.
At Stepping Stone Advocacy Services, we offer independent patient advocacy and nurse-led healthcare navigation to individuals and families across the U.S. Our professional advocates—Registered Nurses, certified case managers and insurance advocates—are here to help you make sense of the system, communicate with providers, and get the support you deserve.
We specialize in supporting adults and seniors—especially those facing aging-related challenges, serious illnesses, or special healthcare needs.
How Our Patient Advocates Can Help:
- Care Coordination & Communication: We act as your liaison with doctors, specialists, hospitals, and rehab centers to make sure your care is streamlined and well understood.
- Problem Solving & Second Opinions: We step in when things aren’t going smoothly—helping resolve delays, denials, unclear diagnoses, or poor communication.
- Healthcare Navigation & Planning: Whether you’re facing surgery, managing dementia care, or transitioning from hospital to home, we walk with you every step of the way.
- Support for Caregivers & Families: We offer education, emotional support, and advocacy guidance.
Independent. Compassionate. On Your Side.
Unlike hospital or insurance-based advocates, we work exclusively for you—not for a healthcare system or provider. That means our only priority is your health, your voice, and your peace of mind.
We help clients locally and nationwide, and specialize in virtual consultations, long-distance advocacy, and healthcare support during times of crisis or transition.
Schedule a Free Consultation with a Patient Advocate
Take the first step toward clarity, support, and personalized care. Speak with a Registered Nurse Advocate today to learn how we can help you or your loved one.
Click below to schedule your free consultation:
Our Advocacy Process
Communication
Coordination
Education
Evaluation
Investigation
Navigation
Healthcare Advocacy is a wonderful service if you are lucky enough to have the help. For those who don't, navigating the healthcare system can be overwhelming. Stepping Stone Advocacy Services strives to help patients and their families avoid costly breakdowns in care and communication by putting our 20-plus years of experience to work.
Our advocacy process includes the essential steps to successfully managing plans of care for our clients. To achieve this goal, we have developed a simple 6-step process to make this journey easier for all involved. These 6 steps include Communication, Coordination, Education, Evaluation, Investigation, and Navigation. The advocacy process is not linear and occasionally reverses course unexpectedly. Generally speaking, health care is a highly charged, emotional process that leads to confusion and frustration. Let us take the lead so that you and your loved ones can focus on what is most important - getting better and remaining independent.
Why Choose Stepping Stone Advocacy Services?
The Stepping Stone Gold Service Program
Your Advocate. Your Voice. Your Peace of Mind.
Healthcare today can be overwhelming—even for those who understand it best. Between hospital stays, specialists, insurance denials, and confusing bills, most families find themselves frustrated and exhausted.
At Stepping Stone Advocacy Services, we believe you deserve more than a fragmented system. You deserve a team that understands the medical, administrative, and financial sides of care—and who works for you, not the system.
That’s why every client we serve is enrolled in our signature Gold Service Program—a comprehensive, nurse-led advocacy model designed to protect your health, your rights, and your peace of mind.
Why Most Families Feel Stuck
Most patient advocacy companies operate on a concierge model. This allows advocates to step in quickly—but it doesn’t eliminate the systemic barriers caused by insurance denials, communication breakdowns, or billing errors.
Families often assume that once they “have an advocate,” those issues are automatically resolved. In reality, insurance and billing challenges require specialized expertise, fast action, and collaboration between multiple professionals.
Without that team-based approach, families can remain caught in a cycle of crisis, confusion, and unexpected costs.
Our Solution: The Gold Service Program
A True Team Approach to Healthcare Navigation
At Stepping Stone Advocacy Services, we’ve reimagined the traditional advocacy model to provide complete support—clinical, administrative, and financial.
We call it our Gold Service Program because it represents the gold standard of patient advocacy: a coordinated, dual-advocate system that supports every layer of your healthcare journey.
Free Introductory Call
Every client begins with a compassionate, no-cost consultation. We listen, assess your needs, and create a personalized plan for advocacy and navigation.
Dual Advocate Support
Each case includes both a Nurse Patient Advocate and an Insurance/Billing Advocate—even if you think you won’t need one. This ensures that every aspect of your care is protected from day one.
Rapid, Coordinated Response
When insurance or billing issues arise, your advocates work together immediately to prevent gaps in care, denials, or unnecessary costs.
Your Nurse Patient Advocate
Your Nurse Advocate is your guide through the medical maze—helping you:
- Understand diagnoses, medications, and treatment plans
- Communicate effectively with doctors, hospitals, and rehab facilities
- Coordinate transitions and follow-up care
- Ensure your preferences and safety are respected in every setting
Your Insurance & Billing Advocate
Your Insurance & Billing Advocate safeguards the financial side of your care. They can:
- Review bills and claims for errors or duplicate charges
- Challenge unjust denials and files appeals on your behalf
- Fight for your right to remain in a facility if you’re being discharged too soon and don’t feel medically ready
- Coordinate directly with providers and insurers to ensure fair outcomes
Together, your two advocates work in sync to keep your care coordinated, transparent, and equitable.
Stewardship and Advocacy Beyond the Bedside
We are a concierge service—but that doesn’t mean we ignore cost.
We believe in being good stewards of our clients’ financial and emotional resources.
By pairing nurse advocates with insurance and billing advocates, we prevent costly errors, reduce denial delays, and protect families from the financial pitfalls that often accompany medical crises.
Our mission isn’t just to navigate the healthcare system—it’s to reshape the experience for patients and families so they can focus on healing, not paperwork.
The Bottom Line
Navigating today’s healthcare system requires more than good intentions—it requires a team that understands every layer of care: medical, insurance, and financial.
At Stepping Stone Advocacy Services, we stand beside you through every stage of that journey—ensuring that care is coordinated, communication is clear, and financial surprises are minimized.
Because when advocacy becomes collaborative, patients heal better, families stress less, and outcomes improve.
Frequent Questions
The person is often a nurse, social worker, geriatric care manager, or other health care professional who can help you navigate the health care system, including dealing with clinicians, understanding your condition and treatment options, and even helping with health insurance issues.
Testimonials
My husband underwent nasal surgery 6 months ago, after he had a negative sleep study test and was referred to an ENT doctor due to continued fatigue and snoring.
Unfortunately, he developed two different serious infections, and we were concerned about his ongoing treatment with the ENT. In fact, we were very anxious because he wasn't getting better but the surgeon was not clear with us as to what to do next...
If you are in need of a patient advocate, I would highly recommend Lori Schellenberg.
She is extremely knowledgeable, effective, and professional. Knows when to be strong and forceful yet loving and caring with your loved one and your family.
I was concerned about an elderly family member who had several severe falls, was forgetting to take medication, not eating healthy and not keeping up with...
What a great use of Lori’s talents!
I worked with Lori for several years during my career as an orthopedic surgeon. I know her to be not only compassionate and understanding but also a tireless advocate for what is right.
In difficult situations she was unwavering in her quest to enable me to provide the best possible care for my patients. She knows the system and how to work through it (and around it whenever necessary!
Real Reviews From Real Clients
Blog
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When It’s OK to “Tap Out” as a Caregiver and Advocate for a Loved One
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The Role of an Insurance Claims Advocate: Why They Are Essential as part of Patient Advocacy Services
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Patient Advocacy for the Elderly: Keep it simple!
A patient advocate can be a huge help for an elderly person who struggles to understand medical stuff. Here’s how they can make a difference: Making Medical Info Easier to Understand Breaking things down into simple terms—no confusing doctor talk. Using pictures, videos, or even stories to explain things better. Going over important info more […]
Safe at Home: How Patient Advocates Empower Seniors to Thrive
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Wernicke’s Syndrome: Understanding the Condition and Role of Patient Advocacy
What is Wernicke’s Syndrome? Wernicke’s Syndrome, or Wernicke’s Encephalopathy, is a serious neurological disorder caused by a deficiency of thiamine (vitamin B1). It is often associated with chronic alcoholism but can also result from malnutrition, severe vomiting, or conditions that impair the absorption of nutrients. The syndrome primarily affects the brain and nervous system, leading […]
How a Nurse Patient Advocate Can Transform Your Healthcare Journey
How a Nurse Patient Advocate Can Transform Your Healthcare Journey Navigating the healthcare system can be overwhelming. Between complex medical terminology, fragmented care, and the sheer volume of decisions to make, many patients and families feel lost. This is where a Nurse Patient Advocate steps in—a compassionate professional who helps bridge the gap between patients […]
Stepping Stone is Here to Help
Stepping forward to provide ADVOCACY SERVICES for patients and their families, to assist in navigating the complex maze of our current medical system.
