(218) 514-6693 sarah@zenithadvocates.com Duluth, MN Free Consultation

Confidence in Every Care Decision

Zenith Health Advocates

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Your Dedicated Health Advocate in Duluth, Minnesota

Zenith Health Advocates is a professional health advocacy service. Our mission is to simplify healthcare decisions and ensure dignified, coordinated, quality health care so older adults and their families can spend time on the things that really matter. Healthcare for older adults is often complex, fragmented and confusing. Unfortunately, care is often not patient-centered, placing the burden on older adults and families to coordinate care and ensure communication between providers. But you can’t know what you don’t know. Zenith Health Advocates will partner with you and your family so you can feel confident and in control of your healthcare.

Based in Duluth, Minnesota, we provide personalized, evidence-based support to help you cut through the often-confusing healthcare system, make informed decisions and get the best care possible. Whether you’re facing a new diagnosis, struggling with overwhelming medical bills, or simply need an expert by your side, we will advocate for you and your goals at every step.

About the Owner

Sarah Beehler<br>PhD, BCPA, CSA

Sarah Beehler
PhD, BCPA, CSA

Founder & Owner

Sarah Beehler is a Board-Certified Patient Advocate (BCPA), a Certified Senior Advisor (CSA)® , and is a health services researcher with a PhD in psychology from the University of Illinois.

(218) 514-6693
sarah@zenithadvocates.com

I wish I’d known about patient health advocates when my dad fell and broke his hip. In February 2023 he lived alone in Indiana, I lived a 10-hour drive away in Duluth Minnesota. Throughout the following year, I helped him make decisions, communicate with providers, manage finances, and navigate insurance. Together we navigated his recurrent hospitalizations and long-term care stays until his passing in 2024. He was scared and overwhelmed, and so was I. We spent nearly all our time together discussing logistics, weighing pros and cons, managing money and insurance, and fearing the worst. It was difficult, emotional and exhausting.

So many times on the long drive or waiting in the hospital for a doctor to pop-in or during the quiet at the end of a long day. I wished I had someone who’d been through this to turn to for support. I didn’t know about patient health advocates at the time. When I learned about this field, I decided to transition from being a healthcare researcher into a healthcare advocate for older adults and their families. No family should have to navigate these complex health situations without informed, consistent support.

If we’re lucky, we will only ever support an older family member in making complex healthcare decisions once or twice in our lives. My goal as a patient health advocate for older adults and their families is to improve care and alleviate stress by providing information and support. I can spend my time on logistics and details; navigating insurance, negotiating bills, researching options, attending appointments, communicating with providers and family members - so you and your family can spend time on the things that really matter.

Greater National Advocates
Patient Advocate Certification Board
Society of Certified Senior Advisors
Alliance of Professional Health Advocates

Let Us Advocate For Your Health.

The healthcare system for older adults is fragmented and complex. Our goal is to help you feel confident and informed so you can get the quality care you deserve. We partner with you and your family to put your health needs and goals first, saving you time, money and stress.

Schedule Your Free Consultation
(218) 514-6693

Services

At Zenith Health Advocates, we provide services designed to help you and your family understand your options, advocate for what you want, and get the best care possible.

We offer a range of services at different levels of support, tailored to your unique situation and goals. These include:

  • Coaching and support for adult children and spouses
  • Coordinating care between doctors and specialists
  • Ensuring clear, consistent communication with family members
  • Keeping comprehensive, organized documentation and records
  • Managing insurance claims, appeals and billing disputes
  • Navigating care transitions and placement
  • Researching options to help make informed decisions
  • Assisting with future planning (e.g., completing advanced care directives, caregiver continuity)



Service Levels

Our process is centered on you. After the in-depth family consultation to understand your situation, goals and priorities, we create a personalized family advocacy plan and submit a related service proposal with options for working together at three different levels. Crisis and short-term hourly services are also available, contact us for pricing.

Service Level 1

Zenith Leads

Zenith takes the lead on all aspects of the family advocacy plan and regularly updates/consults the family.

Service Level 2

Divide and Conquer

You take the lead on some aspects of the family advocacy plan, and Zenith takes the lead on others. We meet regularly to check-in with each other.

Service Level 3

Family Leads

You take the lead on all or most aspects of the family advocacy plan and Zenith provides occasional support as needed.

All levels include regular communication and ongoing support.
You decide how we partner and advocate for you.

Our Process

Crisis and short-term hourly services are also available, contact us for pricing.

  • Initial Consultation

    Free

    We start with a free, no-obligation 20-minute consultation to understand your needs and discuss how we can work together. You get to ask questions, and we get to know you and your situation.

  • Family Consultation

    $500, including family advocacy plan and service proposal

    Next, we meet with you and your family for 1.5 hours to review your medical history, current health status, advocacy goals and any challenges you’re facing. This may involve gathering medical records, insurance information, and other relevant documents to ensure we have a complete picture of your situation. Using this information, we create a personalized, comprehensive family advocacy plan and related service proposal.

  • Family Advocacy Plan & Tailored Service Proposal

    $500, with family consultation

    Based on what we learned in the family consultation, we develop a personalized family advocacy plan. This plan outlines specific action steps and decision points, with clear timelines, tailored to your situation, goals and needs.

  • Working Together

    Once you approve the advocacy plan and decide on the partnership level, we begin working together to implement the advocacy plan. It will be clear who is doing what and when, and we will meet or communicate regularly as you prefer to share progress, solve problems and revise plans as needed. You will have a partner to advocate for you throughout the healthcare journey.

  • Free Consultation

FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the benefits of working with an independent patient health advocate?

While it is a growing field, evidence suggests that independent patient health advocates offer several benefits to patients and their families. older adults especially can benefit from working with a patient health advocate.

  • Improved communication with providers and care coordination
  • Better information to help make healthcare decisions
  • Improved understanding of health conditions, treatment options and care settings
  • Improved understanding of financial implications and potential cost savings
  • More continuous quality of care
  • Reduced medical errors and improved patient safety
  • Greater peace of mind and more quality time together

Do health advocates provide medical advice?

No, we do not provide medical advice, diagnoses, or prescribe treatments. Our role is to help you understand the information your doctors provide, clarify your options, and empower you to make well-informed decisions. We work in partnership with your medical team, not in place of it.

How do I know if I need a health advocate?

If you feel overwhelmed by medical information, confused about your treatment options, frustrated with insurance issues, or simply want someone to help you find a strategic path through the healthcare system, a health advocate can be invaluable. We are here to support you getting the care you want and need. Contact us for a free consultation to discuss whether an advocate is the right fit for you.

What types of healthcare situations do you handle?

We assist with a wide range of healthcare situations, including:

  • New diagnoses
  • Health crisis
  • Confusing medical advice
  • Insurance barriers & appeals
  • Medical billing errors
No matter your situation, we are here to provide the support and guidance you need.

How do I get started with Zenith Health Advocates?

Getting started is easy! Simply contact us via phone, email, or fill out our contact form to schedule an initial consultation. During this meeting, we'll discuss your needs, explain our services in detail, and determine how we can best support you. From there, we'll create a personalized advocacy plan tailored to your unique situation.

What are your fees for services?

An in-depth family consultation, creation of a family advocacy plan and service proposal cost $500. Each service proposal includes options for partnering at three different monthly price levels, depending on who you want to lead implementing the plan. We also offer crisis and short-term hourly pricing, based on your unique situation. During the initial consultation, we'll provide a clear explanation of how we price services based on your unique goals and needs.

Will insurance cover your fees?

Original Medicare will cover working with an independent patient health advocate if you have complex health conditions and/or barriers to care. At this time, Zenith Health Advocates' services are covered by Medicare only if you engage through Umbra (a 3rd party billing organization; see umbrahealthadvocacy.com for more information). If you have questions on how to request work with Zenith Health Advocates through Umbra, please contact us. If you have Medicare Advantage or prefer not to work through Umbra, payments are out-of-pocket. While this may be challenging for some, it allows us to remain "independent" and advocate fiercely for you. We strive to make professional health advocacy services accessible to all. If you have affordability concerns, please discuss these during the initial consultation.

Do you work with insurance companies?

No, being “independent” means we work for you and only you. While we do not work directly for insurance companies, we can assist you in understanding your insurance benefits, reviewing medical bills, and appealing claim denials. Our goal is to ensure you receive the coverage you're entitled to and help you navigate any insurance-related challenges.

Is my information kept confidential?

Absolutely. We adhere to strict confidentiality and privacy standards to protect your personal health information. We comply with all relevant laws and regulations, including HIPAA, to ensure your information is secure and only shared with your consent.

What areas do you serve?

We offer advocacy services for older adults and their families regardless of location. Zenith Health Advocates is based in Duluth, MN, and we offer in-person services within a 30 mile radius. Please contact us to discuss your specific needs and how we can assist you.

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