TBI,Self-Advocacy& NavigatingHealth Care

What is P&A?

Washington Protection & Advocacy System315 Fifth Avenue South Suite 850Seattle WA 981041 800-562-2702 VOICE 1-800-905-0209 TTYwww.wpas-rights.org

Washington

Co-Ad, Inc.4477 Emerald, Suite B-100Boise, ID 83706(208)336-5353 (Voice/TDD)(208)336-5396 (FAX)1-866-262-3462 (TOLL FREE)coadinc@cableone.net

Idaho

320 West 25th Street, 2nd Floor   Cheyenne, Wyoming 82001

Phone: (307) 632-34961-877-704-9382toll freewww.wypanda.vcn.com

Wyoming

Advocacy is Problem Solving to:

• To protect rights or change unfair discriminatoryor abusive treatment to fair, equal and humane

treatment. • To improve services, gain eligibility for services or

change the amount or quality of services to better meet the needs of an individual • To remove barriers which prevent access to full participation in community life

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Advocacy Styles Unique approaches to problem solving

Styles change, develop, acquire flexibility

What’s your style?

Types of Advocacy

Self-Advocacy

Mediation

Complaint & Grievance Process

Regulatory Agencies

Biases

Recognize your biases and how they may be influencing you

Ask others you trust for their opinions

Carefully consider criticism that you are biased

Be respectful and inclusive

Stay focused

BuildingYour

AdvocacyPlan

1. Assessing the Problem

Break down the problem

Set goals

Recognize your Biases

Be objective

Troubleshoot early

Determine allies

Balance information againstadvocacy style and talents

2. Forming an advocacy team/allies

Find the common cause

Troubleshoot conflictinginterests within the group

Establish structure

Establish decision-making process

Match group talents with your plan

Make sure everyone is at the table

Supporters: Who are they What can you do to get more?

Barriers: How do you overcome them?

Opponents: Who are they?Can they be persuaded?

Decision-makers: Who are they?

Resources: What do you have?What do you not have?

How can you get it?

3.Gather Information& Form Solutions

Research!

Examine what has been done before

Research the opposition

Create a paper trail

Information you need

Opponents position

What has been done before

Plan for gathering information

4. Choosing your strategies

Policy reform

Organized community response(flooding with complaints)

Dispute resolution

Media

Legal

Other . . .

5. Writing your Plan

Start with your solution

Break down the steps to reach your solution

Organize & Prioritize your activities

Continually evaluate progress as a group

Be on the lookout for new allies

Prepare for when the going gets tough

Step-by-step plan

6. Evaluate & Followup

Make sure you have an agreement

Look at what remains to be done

Evaluate your overall plan

Did you reach your goal?

What worked

What didn’t

What could you do better?

Healthcare & Advocacy

Same Steps

Different Methods

Helpful Tips

Your Paper TrailAppointment info Doctor/Clinic List

Questions to ask your doctor (s)

Your copy of records

Note changes in your health

Keep track of medications

PROBLEMS

BeforeYour Healthcare Visit

Identify the Problem Why is it a problem

When was it noticed

What is responsible

What would resolve the problem

Have your goal in mind

Keep your eye on the goal – don’t let details bog you down

Don’t settle for one outcome – may be other ways to meet your goal

Choose the right person for the right job – may not happen with first try

Write it DownKeep track of appointment time

Write down goal

Write down questions ahead of time

Keep test results or other documents for which you have questions together

During Your Healthcare Visit

Be Clear

State your goal and questions

Take lots of notes

If you don’t understand, ask

Keep track of diagnoses and medicines prescribed (include herbal)

After, or In-between your appointments

Follow Up

Make notes of people you talk to

When is a good time to call back?

Track dates: when results will be in

when to make appt’s. etc.

Managing YourMedical Records

SOAP - style

Accuracy

Significance

Your Medical Records

Privacy

Obtaining Copies of

Making changes or corrections to

Health Care MedicaidMedicareCharity Care

Statewide Health Insurance Benefits Advisors (SHIBA)1-800-562-6900

Resources

Head Injury Hotline212 Pioneer Bldg Seattle, WA 98104-2221 206-621-8558www headinjury com

Brain Injury & Advocacy

TBI ARMS - Traumatic Brain Injury Advocacy, Resource, Mentoring Services 360-387-6428

Health Care Fraud

Leads to abuse & neglect

Important to report

?Questions