Frequently Asked Questions
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Straight answers about working with a nurse advocate.
If your question is not here, call 520-909-8203 and ask Amy directly. The first consultation is free.
Getting started
- What is a patient advocate?
- A patient advocate is someone who works on your behalf inside the healthcare system — explaining what is happening, making sure your questions get asked, and coordinating between the people treating you. An RN patient advocate is a Registered Nurse, so the explanation comes from clinical training rather than general familiarity.
- How is an independent advocate different from the patient advocate at the hospital?
- Hospitals employ patient representatives and they can genuinely help. But they are employed by the hospital, and their obligations run to their employer. Amy DuBois is hired by you and answers only to you. When those two interests are aligned the distinction does not matter; when they are not, it matters a great deal.
Credentials
- What does BCPA mean?
- BCPA stands for Board Certified Patient Advocate, a credential granted by the Patient Advocate Certification Board. Amy DuBois earned it on April 1, 2018. Patient advocacy is not a licensed profession in most states, so the certification is one of the few objective markers of training in the field.
What we do
- Does Amy give medical advice or make decisions for me?
- No. Amy is a Registered Nurse acting as an advocate, not your treating clinician. She does not diagnose, prescribe or decide. Her role is to make sure you understand the medical picture and your options well enough to make your own decision, and that the decision you make is heard by your care team.
- What does Amy actually do during a hospital stay?
- She informs the hospital-based medical team of your health, medication and treatment histories rather than leaving them to be reconstructed under pressure. She follows the progress of the hospitalization so you and your family understand what is happening. She assists the transition afterward to reduce the chance of readmission, and passes the events of the stay to your private physicians, therapists and rehabilitation staff.
- Can you attend appointments with me?
- Yes. Accompanying clients to doctor appointments is core to the work — ensuring the right questions are asked and the plan is genuinely understood. You receive a written summary afterward, and Amy follows up with a call.
- Will you review my medications?
- Yes. A medication review for potential interactions, together with education so you understand what each medicine is for, is one of the most frequently requested services — particularly after a hospital stay or once several prescribers are involved.
Families and caregivers
- I live out of state and my parent is in Tucson. Can you help?
- This is one of the most common reasons families call. Amy is on the ground in Southern Arizona. With your parent's consent she attends appointments in person, sends you a written summary, and follows up with a phone call — so you have a real account of what happened rather than a secondhand one.
- My parent insists they are managing fine. Is an advocate still useful?
- Often, yes — and it need not undermine their independence. One of Amy's stated aims in ongoing work is assisting the client to become independent in their own care. Many families begin with something narrow and practical, such as a medication review or getting scattered records assembled into one summary.
Practical
- What areas do you serve?
- RN Patient Advocate of Tucson serves Tucson, Oro Valley, Marana, Sahuarita, Green Valley and Tubac. Amy travels to clients throughout Southern Arizona — to hospitals, homes, physician offices and rehabilitation facilities.
- Do you have an office I can visit?
- No. This is a service-area practice, not a clinic. Amy comes to you, whether that is a hospital bedside, a physician's waiting room or your kitchen table.
- What does it cost?
- Fees depend on what your situation actually requires, which is why the first consultation is free. Call 520-909-8203 and Amy will talk through what would be involved before any commitment.
- Does insurance or Medicare cover a private patient advocate?
- Independent patient advocacy is generally not covered by Medicare or private health insurance, and is usually paid privately. Discuss your specific circumstances with Amy on 520-909-8203 rather than assuming either way.
- How quickly can you respond in an emergency?
- Call 520-909-8203 rather than emailing if the situation is urgent. Amy has met clients at the emergency room when family could not be there. Availability depends on her schedule, so a phone call gets a faster and more honest answer than a form.
Still deciding?
Read about who Amy typically helps, the three areas of work, or Amy’s background as a nurse.
We serve the Entire Southern Arizona Community
Serving Tucson, Oro Valley, Marana, Sahuarita, Green Valley, and Tubac
Have Questions? Chat with our professional team.
Send us a message and we will respond promptly.
Granted by the Patient Advocate Certification Board to Amy DuBois, the credential of Board Certified Patient Advocate. Certificate number on file. Date issued: .