OVERVIEW
What Is a Patient Advocate?
Largely, patient advocates serve as liaisons between patients, healthcare staff, and insurance companies. Patient advocates work with insurance companies and healthcare workers on patients’ behalf to ensure that they can make the best information-based decisions regarding their health. Some patient advocates specialize in one particular area (such as insurance, medical literacy, or another high-need area), while others provide multiple advocacy services.
Depending on the employer or organization, sometimes patient advocates are called health advocates, medical advocates, community health workers, patient liaisons, patient representatives, consumer health advocates, or hospital patient advocates. While the titles may vary slightly, all these workers share a common goal: helping patients understand the healthcare system, communicate effectively with providers, and make informed decisions about their care.
Whether employed by a hospital, nonprofit organization, physician practice, or private advocacy firm, patient advocates serve as resources trusted to help individuals navigate an increasingly complex healthcare system while ensuring their voice is heard.
Who Needs a Patient Advocate?
Nearly anyone can benefit from working with a patient advocate, especially when healthcare becomes confusing or overwhelming. While some people only seek a patient advocate during a medical crisis, others rely on advocacy while treating an ongoing health condition or caring for a loved one with medical needs.
A patient advocate may help individuals who are:
- Navigating a new or complex diagnosis.
- Preparing for or recovering from surgery.
- Managing multiple specialists or frequent doctor visits.
- Appealing an insurance denial or working with an insurance company.
- Trying to understand treatment options, prescriptions, or medical terminology.
- Comparing treatment costs or resolving billing issues.
- Acting as a caregiver for a parent or family member who’s aging or has medical needs.
- Living with a chronic illness that requires long-term coordination across multiple providers.
Patient advocates also play an important role for individuals who may struggle with health literacy, language barriers, or complex healthcare paperwork. By explaining options in plain language and helping patients prepare questions before appointments, patient advocates empower people to make confident healthcare decisions.
RESPONSIBILITIES
What Does a Patient Advocate Do?
One patient advocate’s role may vary greatly from another’s. However, all advocates help patients get the most out of their healthcare visits. Some may provide services in a number of different areas, while others focus their services entirely on something like nursing. In addition, the responsibilities of a patient advocate often extend beyond administration support to include education, coordination, and even emotional guidance.
The exact day-to-day of a patient advocate depends greatly on the expectations agreed upon by involved parties, as well as on the setting and employer. Despite any differences, most roles share a common set of core duties, including the following:
- Attending healthcare appointments
- Answering insurance questions
- Suggesting financial resources
- Improving healthcare literacy
- Supporting patients emotionally
- Advocating for patient rights
Where Do Patient Advocates Work?
Patient advocates work in a variety of healthcare settings, and their responsibilities often vary depending on the type of organization they support. For example, organizations like the Patient Advocate Foundation assist eligible patients with insurance access, financial aid challenges, and care coordination.
- Hospitals
- Insurance Companies
- Healthcare Advocacy Nonprofits
- Independent Advocacy Firms
- Government and Community Organizations
- Specialty Advocacy Organizations
EDUCATION AND BEST DEGREES
How to Become a Patient Advocate?
The route to becoming a patient advocate isn’t as uniformly defined as other certified or licensed careers, like teaching. Many careers—especially healthcare careers—require some combination of formal education and certification, but right now, there are no national or state standards required for patient advocates. However, there are skills and knowledge that are critical for this role.
Employers often look for candidates who have a strong understanding of healthcare systems, patient communication, ethics, and care coordination. Although there are no formal education requirements, several degree programs can help you get the relevant healthcare experience.
Many successful patient advocates begin their careers in these areas, among others, before transitioning into advocacy-focused roles. Hands-on experience is equally valuable.
There are also flexible online degree programs that are designed to help working individuals attend school. Additional schooling can help you stand out to employers, so consider taking advantage of master’s programs like an MBA in Healthcare Administration or an MSN Leadership and Management.
You can also consider professional certifications. For those who have already earned their master’s degree, a post-master’s certificate in nursing leadership & management can be beneficial. In addition, one of the most widely recognized credentials is the Board Certified Patient Advocate (BCPA) designation, offered by the Patient Advocate Certification Board (PACB). Rather than requiring a specific degree, the certification requires applicants to demonstrate relevant education and professional experience and then pass the certification exam. While many employers do not require the BCPA credential, earning it may strengthen your résumé and expand employment opportunities.
Best Degrees for a Patient Advocate
Health & Nursing
Nursing (Prelicensure) – B.S.
A one-of-a-kind nursing program that prepares you to be an RN and a...
A one-of-a-kind nursing program that prepares you to be an RN and a baccalaureate-prepared nurse:
- Locations: Due to in-person clinical requirements, students must be full time residents of Arkansas, Florida, Idaho, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New Mexico, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Virginia, West Virginia, or Wisconsin to enroll in this program. The coursework in this program is offered online, but there are in-person requirements.
- Tuition: $8,755 per 6-month term for the first 4 terms of pre-nursing coursework and $8,755 per 6-month term for the remaining 4 terms of clinical nursing coursework.
- Time: This program has a set pace and an expected completion time of 4 years. Certain coursework may be accelerated to finish faster.
- WGU offers the prelicensure program in areas where we have partnerships with healthcare employers to provide practice sites and clinical coaches to help teach you and inspire you on your path to becoming a nurse.
- If you don't live in one of our prelicensure states or don't qualify to apply, consider getting our Bachelor's in Health and Human Services instead. This degree allows you to work inside the healthcare industry, while also working directly with patients who need help.
Skills for your résumé that you will learn in this program:
- Community Health
- Women's and Children's Nursing
- Pathology
- Physiology
- Research
Health & Nursing
Nursing – Leadership & Management (BSN-to-MSN) – M.S.
For registered nurses with a bachelor's degree who are ready for...
For registered nurses with a bachelor's degree who are ready for additional career opportunities.
- Time: 61% of grads finish within 23 months
- Tuition: $5,035 per 6-month term
- Courses: 15 total courses in this program
This program is ideal for current RNs who have a BSN and are ready for the next step in their education.
Skills for your résumé you will learn in this program:
- Quality Outcomes in a Culture of Value-Based Nursing Care
- Nursing Leadership and Management
- Advanced Pathopharmacological Foundations
- Informatics for Transforming Nursing Care
Compare degrees
This program is not the only degree WGU offers designed to create leaders in the field of healthcare. Compare our health leadership degrees.
Health & Nursing
Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (BSN-to-MSN) – M.S. Nursing
This program for BSNs who have an active, unencumbered RN license prepares...
This program for BSNs who have an active, unencumbered RN license prepares you to become a board-certified Mental Health Nurse Practitioner.
- Locations: Due to the clinical requirements of this degree program, the PMHNP program at WGU is currently NOT open to students who have a permanent residence in the following states: California, District of Columbia, Louisiana, New York, North Dakota, and Washington.
- Time: It takes 2.5 years to complete the coursework and clinical components of this degree program.
- Tuition and fees: $6,955 per six-month term.
- Courses: 17 total courses in this program.
This program is for current RNs who have earned their BSN and are ready to move forward in their career. This MSN program prepares students to become licensed as a Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner in select states.
Skills for your résumé that you will learn in this program:
- Advanced Pathophysiology
- Assessment and Diagnostics
- Behavioral health
- Advanced Pharmacology
Students must have a permanent and active license from a state that is not listed above, must complete the internships in that state, and intend to obtain initial APRN licensure in that state. See more state-specific information related to nursing licensure. Compact licenses must be endorsed by your state of residence. More about compact licenses.
Health & Nursing
Nursing (RN-to-BSN Online) – B.S.
An online BSN degree program for registered nurses (RNs) seeking the added...
An online BSN degree program for registered nurses (RNs) seeking the added theoretical depth, employability, and respect that a bachelor's degree brings:
- Time: The program is designed to be completed in 1 year.
- Tuition: $5,325 per 6-month term.
- Courses: 23 total courses in this program.
- Transfers: Students can transfer up to 90 credits.
Skills for your résumé that you will learn in this program:
- Healthcare Policy and Economics
- Information Technology in Nursing Practice
- Anatomy and Physiology
- Applied Healthcare Statistics
If you don't currently have an RN and don't qualify for your nursing prelicensure program, consider getting our Bachelor's in Health and Human Services instead. This degree allows you to work inside the healthcare industry in a unique way.
Health & Nursing
Nursing Leadership and Management – Post-Master's Certificate
A certificate for registered nurses with a master's degree in nursing who...
A certificate for registered nurses with a master's degree in nursing who are ready for greater responsibility in a leadership and management role.
- Time: Students typically finish this program in 12 months.
- Tuition: $5,035 per 6-month term. The cost to sit for the NAHQ Certified Professional in Healthcare Quality (CPHQ) exam is included in tuition.
- Courses: 8 total courses in this program.
Skills for your résumé that you will learn in this program:
- Strategic Planning
- Resource Management
- Business Case Analysis
- Evaluating Healthcare Improvements
Health & Nursing
Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner – Post-Master's Certificate
This program is for current RNs who already have earned an MSN and are...
This program is for current RNs who already have earned an MSN and are wanting to become a Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner through a post-master's certificate program.
- Locations: Due to the clinical requirements of this degree program, the PMHNP post-master's certificate program at WGU is currently NOT open to students who have a permanent residence in the following states: California, District of Columbia, Louisiana, New York, North Dakota, and Washington.
- Time: This program can be finished within 1.5 years, depending on transfer credit and how quickly you move through core coursework. Please note the clinical components of this program are set.
- Tuition and fees: $6,955 per six-month term.
- Courses: 11 total courses in this program.
This program is for current RNs who have earned their MSN but are wanting to add a specilization to become a psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner. This post-master's certificate program is only available in select states.
Skills for your résumé that you will learn in this program:
- Advanced Pathophysiology
- Assessment and Diagnostics
- Behavioral health
- Advanced Pharmacology
Students must have a permanent and active license from a state that is not listed above, must complete the internships in that state, and intend to obtain initial APRN licensure in that state. See more state-specific information related to nursing licensure. Compact licenses must be endorsed by your state of residence. More about compact licenses.
Health & Nursing
Nursing – Leadership & Management (RN-to-MSN) – M.S.
This program for RNs includes a BSN component and is a substantial leap...
This program for RNs includes a BSN component and is a substantial leap toward becoming a nurse leader.
- Time: 62% of RN-to-MSN grads finish within 37 months.
- Tuition: $5,325 per 6-month term during undergraduate portion and $5,035 per 6-month term during graduate portion.
- Courses: 32 total courses in this program.
Skills for your résumé you will learn in this program:
- Quality Outcomes in a Culture of Value-Based Nursing Care
- Nursing Leadership and Management
- Advanced Pathopharmacological Foundations
- Informatics for Transforming Nursing Care
If you're driven to lead, this online nursing degree will provide you everything needed to make that career a reality. This program is ideal for current RNs who are interested in earning both their BSN and MSN in an accelerated program.
Compare degrees
This program is not the only degree WGU offers designed to create leaders in the field of healthcare. Compare our health leadership degrees.
Health & Nursing
Health and Human Services – B.S.
An online health degree program for students who are committed to making a...
An online health degree program for students who are committed to making a difference for patients in a variety of ways.
- Time: 63% of students finish this program in 24 months
- Tuition: $4,210 per 6-month term
- Courses: 35 total courses in this program
Skills for your résumé that you will learn in this program:
- Epidemiology
- Community and Public Health
- Cultural Awareness
- Pathophysiology
- Healthcare Values and Ethics
- Substance Abuse Support
This degree allows you to work inside the healthcare industry, while also directly working with patients who need help.
Health & Nursing
Psychology – B.S.
An online psychology program for students who want to make a difference in...
An online psychology program for students who want to make a difference in their life, and the lives of others.
- Time: 95% of students finish similar programs in less than 4 years.
- Tuition: $4,210 per 6-month term.
- Courses: 34 total courses in this program.
Skills for your résumé included in this program:
- Social psychology
- Consumer psychology
- Adult psychology
- Mental health awareness
- Psychopathology
This degree allows you to gain valuable knowledge and experience in the field of psychology and can prepare you for additional certifications or careers.
SKILLS
What Skills Does a Patient Advocate Need?
If you are working towards a career in patient advocacy, you will need some skills to be successful in the role. While some roles have specific responsibilities and require specific skills, the following is a general list you should start with:
Soft Skills
- Advocacy skills: You need to be able to effectively communicate, plan, research, and act in the best interest of an individual patient or multiple patients.
- Communication skills: You need to have both strong verbal and written communication. You need to be able to communicate about complex and emotionally fraught issues. An effective patient advocate should also be skilled in reading nonverbal cues signaling things such as confusion, anger, frustration, or anxiety.
- Negotiation skills: Effective advocating requires a great deal of negotiation. You will need both written and oral negotiation skills to create a solid case for the patients that you advocate for.
- Attention to detail: A primary aspect of patient advocacy is reading through all of the documentation and making sure that all information is accurate and complete. Successful patient advocates should be able to identify any errors and take action accordingly—especially since proper documentation is so critical for quality patient care.
- Organizational skills: This role requires both mental and physical organization. When you advocate on behalf of someone else, it is important to keep everything in order. You will often advocate for multiple patients, so it is important to keep each patient’s files organized and free of clutter.
- Interpersonal skills: Patient advocates are in constant communication with patients, healthcare professionals, and insurance companies. To nurture those relationships and collaborate successfully, you need to have important interpersonal skills, like showing positivity, listening, and having empathy. It’s also important to be able to read social cues so that you can better align with the expectations of the parties involved in your role.
- Problem-solving skills: Medical-related decisions and processes are not always straightforward for everyone. Patients may need help problem-solving with insurance denials or disputes, billing issues, miscommunications, or misunderstandings.
- Cultural competency: Every patient brings unique cultural values, beliefs, languages, and healthcare experiences. Patient advocates should communicate respectfully across diverse backgrounds, helping ensure patients receive equitable care while honoring their preferences and values.
- Conflict resolution: Patient advocates frequently help resolve disagreements between patients, providers, healthcare organizations, and insurance representatives. Remaining calm, listening objectively, and working toward collaborative solutions can improve patient satisfaction while maintaining productive professional relationships.
Hard Skills
- Medical terminology: Patient advocates regularly review health records, laboratory results, discharge instructions, referrals, and treatment plans. Understanding common medical terminology, abbreviations, and documentation allows advocates to explain complex healthcare information in language that patients can understand while helping identify potential misunderstandings or missing information.
- Financial skills: Another primary aspect of patient advocacy surrounds finances. You need to be able to make financial recommendations, understand different financial assistance programs (local, state, and federal programs), and answer specific financial questions that may arise at any point.
- Technology proficiency: Modern patient advocacy often involves using electronic health records (EHRs), secure patient portals, telehealth platforms, scheduling systems, and insurance databases. Being comfortable with healthcare technology helps advocates coordinate care more efficiently while protecting patients’ personal information.
- Bilingual communication (bonus skill): While not required, fluency in another language—particularly Spanish, ASL, Chinese, or other languages commonly spoken in your community—can make you a stronger candidate and improve communication with diverse patient populations. Bilingual advocates may help reduce language barriers and improve patients’ understanding of their healthcare options.
How Much Does a Patient Advocate Make?
$58,479
The average annual salary of patient advocates is $58,479, with salaries ranging between $44,000 and $78,000. The amount you make can vary greatly depending on your education, experience, geographical location, and industry.
What is the Job Outlook for a Patient Advocate?
11%
Patient advocacy is often a responsibility of community health workers, a role that's growing quickly in demand. Employment of community health workers is expected to rise by 11%, between 2024 and 2024, much faster than the average growth rate for all occupations. The field of patient advocacy is often fulfilled by community health workers, and the demand for these workers is growing quickly. Between 2024 and 2034, this demand is expected to grow by much faster than the average for all occupations.
Frequently Asked Questions About Patient Advocates
It depends on the situation. If you’re working with a hospital patient advocate or an advocate employed by your health plan, that service is generally provided at no additional cost. Independent or private patient advocates typically charge directly for their services, although some nonprofit organizations offer free or reduced-cost advocacy for qualifying individuals.
The cost varies based on the advocate’s experience, location, and the type of support provided. Some private patient advocates charge an hourly rate, while others offer flat-fee packages for services such as reviewing medical bills, attending doctor visits, coordinating patient care, or helping resolve insurance issues. Many people find that using advocacy services can save time, reduce stress, and potentially lower out-of-pocket healthcare costs as advocates identify billing errors or available financial assistance programs.
While the roles sometimes overlap, they have different primary responsibilities. A patient advocate focuses on representing the patient’s interests. A case manager is typically a licensed healthcare professional who coordinates actual medical care as well as services like discharge planning and long-term treatment options.
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No need to wait for spring or fall semester. It’s back-to-school time at WGU year-round. Get started by talking to an Enrollment Counselor today or by looking into our financial aid options, and you’ll be on your way to realizing your dream of a bachelor’s or master’s degree—sooner than you might think!
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