How a Patient Advocate Can Save You Time, Money, and Stress

Navigating the healthcare system can feel like a full-time job, especially when you're sick, caring for a loved one, or overwhelmed by paperwork, bills, and medical jargon.

At SunNav Healthcare Advocates, we know that healthcare isn't just about getting treatment. It's about getting answers. Getting clarity. Getting support. And doing it in a way that protects your time, your finances, and your peace of mind.

If you're wondering whether working with a Board Certified Patient Advocate (BCPA) is worth it, the answer might be simpler than you think. Let’s break it down.

1. Saving Time: We Cut Through the Chaos

Delays in care aren't just frustrating; they can be dangerous. Every day counts when you're waiting for test results, specialist referrals, or treatment approvals.

A patient advocate helps speed up the process by:

• Coordinating care between providers

• Preparing you for appointments so you ask the right questions

• Helping you avoid duplicated tests and unnecessary procedures

• Following up on delays so you don’t get lost in the shuffle

• Understanding and explaining your options in plain language

Did you know? Medical errors and delays are more likely when communication breaks down. An experienced advocate helps bridge those gaps—before they cost you time or outcomes.

At SunNav, we’ve seen clients waste weeks—sometimes months—waiting for paperwork, approvals, or calls that should have taken days.

We’re here to move things forward, so you can stop spinning your wheels and start focusing on healing.

2. Saving Money: Advocacy Pays for Itself

Most people don’t realize how much money they lose to unnecessary tests, delayed diagnoses, surprise medical bills, and insurance denials. Even one misstep—like using an out-of-network provider or missing a prior authorization—can cost thousands.

We help save you money by:

• Preventing billing errors and duplicate charges

• Reviewing and organizing your medical bills

• Helping you appeal insurance denials

• Identifying affordable alternatives for prescriptions, testing, and procedures

• Making sure you receive only what you truly need—and nothing you don’t

As independent patient advocates, we work for you; not for any hospital, insurer, or healthcare system. Our only goal is to make sure you're getting the best care possible for your needs and your budget.

Want a closer look at how we do this? Read more about Independent vs. Hospital Patient Advocates: What’s the Difference and Why It Matters to learn more.

3. Reducing Stress: You Don’t Have to Do This Alone

Let’s be honest—healthcare stress isn’t just about the medical stuff.

It’s about feeling unseen by your provider.
It’s about having 20 open tabs on your computer and still not knowing what to do.
It’s about second-guessing every decision, because you’re afraid of missing something important.

That kind of mental load is exhausting. And it's one of the biggest reasons people delay care, make mistakes, or give up altogether.

At SunNav, we provide clarity and calm when everything feels too loud.

Whether you're managing a chronic illness, recovering from surgery, or helping your aging parent through a complicated hospital discharge, we become your guide. We walk with you through the decision-making process, and we make sure your voice is heard every step of the way.

That’s the difference between facing this alone and facing it with a professional by your side.

What Makes SunNav Different?

We know there are other people out there who say they offer support. But at SunNav Healthcare Advocates, this isn’t just a job. It’s personal.

Founded by Terry McLellan, BSN, RN, BCPA, SunNav is backed by over 25 years of direct clinical experience in:

• Long-term care and nursing homes

• Inpatient medical-surgical floors

• Pediatrics and pediatric home health

• Orthopedics and neuro-oncology

• Psychiatric nursing

• Home health and hospice transitions

• Quality improvement and patient safety

In short, we know the system from the inside out. We know where the cracks are. And we know how to help you avoid them.

As a Board Certified Patient Advocate, Terry is trained not just in clinical care—but in navigating complex systems, coordinating communication, and ensuring that your health decisions reflect your goals and values.

Remote or Local: Advocacy That Meets You Where You Are

Based in McKinney, Texas, SunNav proudly serves North Texas—but our services go far beyond state lines. We offer remote healthcare advocacy services nationwide, including:

• Phone or video consultations

• Emergency call-in support (even while you're at the ER or hospital)

• Coordinated care planning and follow-ups

• Long-distance caregiver support

Whether you're in Dallas, Denver, or anywhere in between, you can get expert help—right when you need it.

Who Should Consider a Patient Advocate?

You might benefit from patient advocacy services if:

• You’re facing a new diagnosis and don’t know where to start

• You’re juggling multiple specialists or conditions

• You’re a caregiver managing someone else's care

• You’ve experienced medical errors or miscommunication in the past

• You’re struggling to navigate Traditional Medicare

• You’re tired of doing this all alone

Advocates are especially helpful for seniors, veterans, chronically ill patients, and families navigating long-distance care.

Want to learn more about our most requested services? Explore our Service Menu

Your First Step: A Free 30-Minute Consultation

We know reaching out for help isn’t always easy. That’s why we offer a no-cost, no-pressure 30-minute consultation to listen to your situation and help you take your next step.

Whether you're in the middle of a healthcare crisis—or simply trying to get ahead of one—we’re here to help you find the way forward.

You deserve more than rushed appointments and guesswork. You deserve someone who listens, someone who explains, and someone who fights for what you need.

With SunNav, you don’t just get an advocate.
You get clarity. Calm. Confidence.
And you get your time, your budget, and your peace of mind back.