As professionals in health and human services, we often encounter patients facing barriers related to insurance. Supporting them emotionally during this time is just as important as providing practical solutions. Here’s a simple approach to help: 1. Assess Emotional Needs: Listen actively, empathize with their frustrations, and acknowledge their stress. 2. Communicate: Identify what steps have already been taken. 3. Explore Options: Guide patients through work-based and/or state insurance, the marketplace, or low-income community health clinics. 4. Offer Ongoing Support: Break down the process into manageable steps, and remind them they are not alone. 5. Provide Resources & Follow-Up; Equip them with the tools they need.

We all know insurance barriers are frustrating and daunting. Provide that same understanding to your client/patient and empathize with their struggle and the very human aspects of dealing with difficult systems. Then, use your expertise as a case manager to start helping them navigate the problem. Doing this process with them will give them valuable insight into how to navigate the healthcare system and empowers them to self-advocate in the future.

Treating a client with respect and dignity Active listening Show compassion Understanding the illness are not the sum of the person

Prior authorization. Have a case manager get authorization why the service is necessary. This would help the insurance see why the care is necessary for the patients plan of care.A case manager is an advocate for the patient t would decrease emergency visits and readmissions to hospitals. Medically trained nurses can speak for the patients and the insurance provider.

I think this is just as touchy topic for the clinician as it is for the client, but I think that providing the client with alternatives to care and providing in the moment support so they don’t feel they’re leaving empty-handed can be helpful. These conversations are not all that comforting for someone who is looking to get help AND is running into dead ends. I think if more clinicians provide sliding scale, and if they have more available resources provided to them so they can offer the quality services that people are looking for in a clinician. For example, grants that may pay a certain amount of sessions for someone who needs to see a clinician or the therapist