S6, Ep 22- Advocating One Patient at a Time with Julie Baak

The Health Advocates are joined by rheumatology practice manager Julie Baak who talks about how insurance practices like utilization management delay treatments for patients, how she and her practice advocate for patients, and how she makes noise about these issues within the rheumatology community. “You know, the right medicine for the right patient is really the driving focus of our practice. And I don't have a magic wand. I advocate one patient at a time, and I'm pretty successful at it,” says Julie. Among the highlights in this episode: 00:53: Julie explains her role in rheumatology practice management. She shares how her office is able to help so many patients, and the burdens they face due to insurance companies and pharmacy benefit managers. 01:48: Julie delves into the complexities of how insurance companies determine which drugs to cover, and the challenges of non-medical switches 04:02: Steven inquires about the challenges of keeping up with yearly formulary changes 04:52: Zoe questions how the team communicates complex health insurance issues to patients, especially concerning non-medical switching or prior authorization delays 06:25: Julie discusses the scarcity of independent rheumatology offices, and the value of advocacy 07:46: Steven asks about advice for patients who may not have access to an advocate like Julie 09:49: Julie emphasizes that everyone is a patient and shares her driving focus of getting the right medicine for the right patient 10:58: What our hosts learned from this episode Contact Our Hosts Steven Newmark, Director of Policy at GHLF: [email protected] Zoe Rothblatt, Associate Director, Community Outreach at GHLF: [email protected] We want to hear what you think. Send your comments in the form of an email, video, or audio clip of yourself to [email protected] Catch up on all our episodes on our website or on your favorite podcast channel.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.