Houston Cardiovascular Associates Houston Cardiovascular Associates

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Hospital Patient Advocates

Overview

How can a hospital patient advocate help you?

Most hospitals have one or more patient advocates on staff. They are people you and your family can turn to for help in dealing with various problems you may have during your hospital stay.

An advocate may:

  • Make sure that you and your family know all the facts about your condition and your care.
  • Give you and your family emotional support.
  • Help you get copies of your medical records.
  • Help with delays in getting tests, treatment, or information.
  • Work with the hospital when you have complaints.
  • Work with your employer if you're facing possible job discrimination because of medical issues.
  • Help you understand and deal with hospital bills and your insurance.

Where else can you get professional support?

Not all hospitals have patient advocates. But you may be able to find help elsewhere.

  • Your employer may offer patient advocacy services as part of your benefit package.
  • Your insurance company may employ advocates who can help you with hospital billing problems.
  • You may be able to hire a private patient advocate. These professionals offer a wide range of services. These can include being with you when you talk to your doctor, checking your records for medical errors, and making sure that your questions are always answered.

The Patient Advocate Foundation (www.patientadvocate.org) offers free advice and assistance to people who need help with medical bills and insurance company appeals.

How can friends and family help?

Having a relative or friend as your helper during your hospital stay is always a good idea. Depending on your condition, this helper can:

  • Spend time in your room with you, watching over you.
  • Alert nurses when something is wrong or you need something.
  • Make sure you get your questions answered and ask questions you haven't thought of.
  • Take notes during doctor visits.
  • Make sure you get your medicines on time.
  • Get on the Internet and do research for you.

Ideally, this helper will also be the person you have named as your health care agent.

Credits

Current as of: April 30, 2024

Author: Ignite Healthwise, LLC Staff
Clinical Review Board
All Healthwise education is reviewed by a team that includes physicians, nurses, advanced practitioners, registered dieticians, and other healthcare professionals.

Current as of: April 30, 2024

Author: Ignite Healthwise, LLC Staff

Clinical Review Board
All Healthwise education is reviewed by a team that includes physicians, nurses, advanced practitioners, registered dieticians, and other healthcare professionals.

Dear patient

I am excited to announce that I will be relocating my practice to Houston Methodist DeBakey Cardiology Associates. Starting November 4, 2024, my new address will be:

Houston Methodist DeBakey Cardiology Associates
6550 Fannin St.
Smith Tower, Suite 1901
Houston, TX 77030

Please note that my phone number and fax number will also change to the following:
24-Hour Telephone: 713-441-1100
Fax: 713-790-2643
Clinical Support Telephone (M-F, 8-5): 713-441-3515

I am excited about caring for you in my new office and hope you will make the transition with me. I will also continue to refill your medications as I have in the past. To assist, please provide your pharmacy with my new contact information.

Please consider checking your prescription refills to verify that you have enough medication on hand to last you until your next visit. Please note that your medical records will remain at my former office until you authorize their transfer. If you choose for me to continue providing your medical care, please complete and sign the enclosed “Authorization for Release of Medical Records” form and fax it to 713-790-2643. Once we receive your authorization, we will be happy to process the request for you.

Thank you for entrusting me with your medical care. My new team and I are dedicated to making this transition as seamless as possible. For help scheduling an appointment and transitioning your care, please call my new office number above.

I look forward to continuing your care at my new location.

Sincerely,
Gopi A. Shah, MD

Dear patient

Dr. Albert Raizner, Dr. Michael Raizner, and Dr. Mohamed El-Beheary are excited to announce that our practice, Houston Cardiovascular Associates, will merge with Houston Cardiovascular Associates on November 1, 2024.

Our new offices are similarly located in Houston, near the Texas Medical Center and in Sugar Land. Our in-hospital care will continue at Houston Methodist Hospital in the Texas Medical Center and Houston Methodist Sugar Land Hospital. Importantly, our new offices expand our services with state-of-the-art equipment and amenities. Our core values will always be, as they began over 40 years ago when Dr. Albert Raizner founded HCA:

Integrity – Compassion – Accountability

Our new address and contact information are:

Your medical records are confidential and remain available at our new locations. We consider it a privilege to serve as your cardiologists and look forward to your continuing with us. However, should you desire to transfer to another physician, you may request a copy of your records by contacting us at our new addresses and phone numbers listed above.

We thank you for your trust and loyalty. As always, we will continue to be here to take care of you. Please do not hesitate to contact us if you have any questions or concerns.

Sincerely,

Dr. Albert Raizner,
Dr. Michael Raizner,
Dr. Mohamed El-Beheary