Healthcare Headaches: 6 Ways Health Advocates Fight a Broken System

Healthcare Isn't Built for Patients

The healthcare system isn’t built for patients—it’s built for delays, confusion, and dead ends. Getting care often means waiting weeks for appointments, battling insurance denials, and chasing down doctors who don’t communicate with each other. Patients are left making endless calls, repeating the same tests, and struggling to get the answers they need.

Many people don’t realize they have patient rights—like access to medical records, the ability to challenge denied claims, and the right to seek second opinions. But standing up for those rights requires persistence, knowledge, and energy—something patients don’t always have when they're dealing with a chronic illness or other health problems.

You shouldn’t have to fight this battle alone—and you don’t have to.

How Advocates Fight Healthcare Headaches

A health advocate (also known as a patient advocate or healthcare advocate) is someone who steps in to help patients navigate the complex, frustrating world of healthcare. They handle the communication between doctors, make sense of confusing medical information, and guide patients through tough decisions about their treatment. 92% of patients who work with an advocate report better healthcare outcomes

Headache #1: Doctors don’t communicate, leaving patients lost in the gaps

When multiple specialists are involved, each one focuses on their own area. But if they aren’t sharing information, critical details get lost – especially when it comes to the patient's symptoms or condition. This can lead to conflicting treatment options, repeated or unnecessary tests, or dangerous medication interactions.

The solution: Advocates keep everyone on the same page

Your advocate makes sure that every doctor treating you has access to the full picture of your health. They track down records, coordinate between providers, and keep everything organized so that your care team works as just that–a team. If your providers need to be chased down, your advocate will take care of it.

Headache #2: Booking appointments is a time-consuming hassle

The average American waits 26 days for a doctor's appointment–and it's especially difficult to see a specialist. Finding an available doctor and waiting weeks (or months) for the visit is one of the biggest struggles in healthcare today. And many patients – even those with Medicare or Medicare Advantage plans – know what it's like to get denied care because they weren’t told about prior authorization requirements.

The solution: Advocates fight to get you seen, faster and with less hold music

Instead of you playing phone tag with doctor’s offices, your advocate books appointments for you. They handle the back-and-forth with providers, secure prior authorization approvals in advance, and get you on cancellation lists when time is critical. No more wasted time, no more unnecessary delays—just access to the care you need, when you need it.

Headache #3: Insurance denies claims and hides behind fine print

Even when patients do everything right, insurance companies often make it nearly impossible to get coverage. Common struggles include denied claims for necessary treatments surprise bills due to misfiled paperwork, and endless phone calls with no clear answers. About 15% of private insurance claims are denied, and the numbers are similar for Medicare.

The solution: Advocates fight back to get you the coverage you deserve

Advocates know how to read the fine print. They challenge unfair denials, fix billing errors, and push back against insurance company tactics designed to delay or deny care. They can also help patients find financial support, such as grants, copay assistance programs, or insurance-backed relief funds to reduce out-of-pocket costs. With an advocate on your side, you don’t have to take “no” for an answer.

Headache #4: Patients leave appointments confused and without answers

52% of patients leave doctor's appointments feeling ignored. Doctors are busy, appointments are rushed, and medical language is confusing. As a result, patients are unclear on their diagnosis or next steps, feel like they aren't being heard, and struggle to follow their treatment plans.

An advocate makes sure you’re informed, empowered, and taken seriously

Your advocate helps you prepare questions before your appointment, explains your doctor's guidance in plain language, and can even virtually attend your visits and take notes. They make sure doctors listen to you and that you leave every appointment with a clear understanding of your health.

Headache #5: Managing medical records is a full-time job

Medical records are scattered across multiple providers, and keeping them up-to-date is exhausting. Patients often struggle to access their own records, have outdated or incorrect information on file, and waste time repeating the same tests and procedures. Plus, gaps in record-sharing can cause critical treatment delays or medical errors.

The solution: An advocate organizes and maintains your records for seamless care

Your advocate collects and updates your medical history, making sure every provider has accurate, up-to-date information. They make sure records are shared between doctors, eliminating unnecessary tests and miscommunications.

Headache #6: Care transitions are chaotic and put patients at risk

80% of major medical errors happen during care transitions. Medications get lost, follow-ups are missed, and patients leave hospitals or rehab centers unsure about their next steps. These gaps can lead to serious complications and preventable readmissions.

The solution: An advocate makes care transitions safer and smoother

Your advocate coordinates between providers, updates your medical records, and makes sure you understand your discharge plan. They schedule follow-ups, confirm medication changes, and keep everything on track—so nothing falls through the cracks when it matters most.

See if you’re covered – find a Solace advocate.

Advocates make healthcare work for you

Whether it's fighting insurance denials, coordinating between doctors, or managing endless medical records, the burden of the healthcare system always seems to fall on the patient. Advocates change that.

Without an advocate:

• You spend hours on hold scheduling appointments.
• You’re left in the dark about insurance denials.
• You juggle medical records between doctors.
• You leave appointments with more questions than answers.
• You risk dangerous gaps in care during transitions.

With an advocate:

• Appointments are booked for you.
• Insurance denials are challenged.
• Records are updated and shared.
• Your doctor’s guidance is clear.
• Care transitions happen smoothly.

When the system puts up barriers, it’s not just frustrating—it can put your health at risk. An advocate makes sure nothing stands between you and the care you need.

‍Book a 20-minute intake session with Solace

‍Emma's Story: An Advocate Makes the System Work

‍Emma* wasn’t battling just one condition—she was drowning in seven chronic illnesses. Hashimoto’s. Peripheral neuropathy. Fibromyalgia. Sjogren’s. Lyme. Mast cell activation syndrome. Osteoporosis. But the real struggle wasn’t the diseases—it was the healthcare system that kept failing her.

Her primary doctor dismissed her symptoms. Referrals led nowhere. Specialist appointments were canceled without explanation. Every visit felt like starting over. She was exhausted, untreated, and ignored.

Desperate for answers, Emma searched online: How do I get real care for multiple chronic conditions?

That’s when she found Solace.

Her advocate didn’t just listen—she took action. Within days, she secured referrals, scheduled long-overdue specialist visits, and cut through the red tape. No more missed calls. No more unexplained delays. Just real progress.

For the first time, Emma had a plan. And her advocate didn’t stop at scheduling—she attended appointments by phone, took notes, made sure nothing slipped through the cracks, and provided plenty of empathy and compassion along the way. Doctors started listening. Treatments started working.

Eight months later, Emma’s care is coordinated, her treatments are tracked, and she’s no longer fighting the system alone. Solace promised a lifeline—and delivered.

*Name changed for privacy

‍Learn how Solace can match you with an advocate.

‍FAQs: Common Questions About Patient Advocacy

How can an advocate help if my doctors aren’t communicating?
Advocates actively push providers to share information. They remain in direct contact with all your providers, making sure that test results, treatment plans, and basic medical records are exchanged. They'll also flag critical details or miscommunications that might otherwise be missed.

‍What if I can’t get an appointment for months?
Advocates call providers directly, finding last-minute openings, and make the case for why you need to be seen sooner. They know the right person to speak to in a doctor's office, and how to communicate urgency in a way that gets results. With their deep knowledge of local providers, they make sure you get the fastest available appointment with a qualified specialist–and they'll endure the hold music so you don't have to.

‍How do advocates prevent mistakes during care transitions?
They review hospital discharge plans, confirm follow-up care, and make sure medications are updated correctly. If a rehab facility or home care service is involved, they guarantee smooth handoffs by coordinating records and instructions. This prevents gaps in treatment that can lead to serious complications.

‍Can an advocate help if my medical records are incomplete or incorrect?
Yes. They request missing records, correct errors, and make sure each provider has the latest test results, diagnoses, and treatment plans. This helps prevent repeated tests, miscommunications, and delays in care.

‍What if I’ve been dismissed or ignored by my doctor?
Advocates help you prepare questions, document symptoms, and make your concerns are taken seriously. They can attend appointments by phone or video, take notes, and push for referrals or second opinions when needed. If necessary, they help you find another provider who listens and takes action.

‍Need help navigating the healthcare maze?
From insurance battles to care coordination, Solace advocates handle the headaches for you.

‍Get the support you need today.

This article is for informational purposes only and should not be substituted for professional advice. Information is subject to change. Consult your healthcare provider or a qualified professional for guidance on medical issues, financial concerns, or healthcare benefits.