Patient Advocate Spotlight: Shelli Snethen

Patient Advocate Spotlight: Shelli Snethen

Patient advocates are often the unsung heroes in healthcare - working tirelessly behind the scenes to ensure patients receive the support they need. Shelli Snethen, Patient Advocate II at Atlas Health, is a prime example of this dedication. Her journey from patient-to-patient advocate highlights this impactful role.

For Shelli, the role of a patient advocate is deeply personal and profoundly rewarding. Her motivation stems from her own experience as a breast cancer survivor. "Becoming a patient advocate and helping others is where my heart is," Shelli shares. Having once faced the daunting challenge of affording cancer treatments herself, she understands the stress and uncertainty that come with high medication costs.

Shelli finds immense satisfaction in helping uninsured patients, on fixed incomes, or facing high out-of-pocket expenses. "Our patients are so appreciative that we are working diligently for them to relieve some of the stress of how they will be able to afford their medications," she explains. Her journey gives her unique empathy and drive to ensure no one else faces the same financial hurdles she did.

A Day in the Life of an Atlas Advocate

A typical day for Shelli is a whirlwind of activities dedicated to patient care. Her responsibilities include contacting patients, following up on applications with drug programs, managing referrals from hospitals, obtaining doctors' signatures, and ordering medications. Additionally, she ensures that medications are delivered as needed and continuously searches for new patients who could benefit from assistance.

Despite the busy nature of her role, Shelli remains focused on her goal: "We are always looking for new patients we can be of assistance to." Her commitment to alleviating patients' stress and ensuring they receive the necessary support is a testament to her dedication.

The Power of the Atlas Platform

Shelli’s efficiency and effectiveness are greatly enhanced by the Atlas platform, which she finds incredibly user-friendly. "Most of the information needed is at your fingertips," she notes, appreciating how the platform streamlines her workflow. The auto-fill feature significantly reduces the time spent clicking through forms and managing data, allowing Shelli to focus more on patient care.

The Atlas platform's Program Match feature is incredibly beneficial. It automatically aligns the appropriate assistance programs with the patient’s medication needs and insurance type. "It saves the patient advocate time from having to look for patients needing assistance in the hospital system," Shelli explains. This functionality ensures that the right support is provided quickly and accurately, improving the quality of care Shelli can offer.

Empowering Patient Advocacy: Shell's Inspiring Journey

Shelli’s work as a patient advocate exemplifies the heart and soul of this role. Her personal experience with cancer treatment costs fuels her passion for helping others navigate similar challenges. Supported by the Atlas platform, Shelli can efficiently manage her extensive responsibilities, ensuring patients receive timely and effective support. Her story highlights the impact of dedicated patient advocacy and the transformative power of technology in enhancing patient care. Shelli’s compassion and commitment make a significant difference, proving that behind every patient advocate is a story of empathy, resilience, and unwavering dedication.