As a result of Lloyd's intervention, the pharmacy filled the prescription immediately. In another case, a retiree was moving out of California and could no longer use Kaiser as her health plan. She needed help to understand her options for choosing a new plan, and with assistance from an outside health care advocate, Lloyd helped clear up the confusion. In those cases, we help the plan member explore alternatives. In other cases, when a treatment is refused, we might advise them on the next steps in working with the carrier.
Patients have to be much more active in their own care than in the past.
Health plan carriers have seen the benefits of Lloyd's service as well, she said. Several account reps acknowledged that they were a little worried at first, she said, but realized the benefits of having someone who was knowledgeable about the plans and could help resolve problems. Copyright 1999, The Regents of the University of California. Produced and maintained by the Office of Public Affairs at UC Berkeley .