New Year, New You by Dr. Elena Borrelli DMSC, MS, PAC, BCPA
New Year, New You A new year often comes with a fresh perspective, a resolution, and a boost of motivation. There are many reasons why you feel your health needs to get back on track. Maybe you're experiencing symptoms that no one can quite figure...
Sepsis: How Well Do You Know It? How Scared Should You Be?
Sepsis has gained increasing awareness over the past 25 years. Despite this, there is still much to improve in how to best prevent and manage sepsis. Knowledge is key and can help prevent death from this suddenly presenting and rapidly progressing...
I Want the Tape: How I Used HIPAA to Force a Response
In this story, you’ll learn: How to use HIPAA’s Right of Access (45 CFR 164.524) to demand your denial records—and why it works. The exact wording I used to push past delays and force an insurance company to take action. Why...
No Help, No Clarity: The Wild DME Chase Before Discharge
What You’ll Learn in This Post By the end of this blog, you’ll know: ✅ Why you can’t always rely on discharge planners—and how to spot when you need to step in yourself.✅ What to ask before discharge to avoid delays and...
From Holidays to Headaches: Why Medical Bills Don’t Wait
What You’ll Learn in This Post By the end of this post, you’ll know: ✅ Why medical bills don’t always match your Explanation of Benefits (EOB)—and what to do when amounts keep changing.✅ How long insurance appeals really...
Navigating Down Syndrome
Navigating congenital disorders, such as Down Syndrome, is a challenging journey. While much is known about Down Syndrome, there is still much to be understood. As with all medical conditions, despite having a “textbook” definition of...
Navigating Diabetes And the Holidays
The holiday season is a time filled with holiday traditions, get togethers, community events, and more. Often, a large part of the festivities involves food. Christmas cookies, candy, pies, and many even a secret family recipe. It’s a tricky...
Enjoying the Season When Your Loved One is in the Hospital
Health For The Holidays Enjoying the season when your loved one is in the hospital The holiday season is truly my favorite time of year. The friend and family get-togethers, the music and decorating, and events throughout the community. I...
Clarity in the Chaos: Making Sense of Code Status Decisions
In the middle of a medical emergency, there’s no time to debate what should happen next. That’s why your code status — and the conversations behind it — matter long before a crisis ever begins. Whether you’re a...
Prioritizing Your Mental Health
Health For The Holidays Despite the importance highlighted about mental health in recent years, it is still a struggle to prioritize mental health. During the holidays, it becomes even more important because, while it can be a joyous time of year...
Common Errors About Self-Advocacy
Self-advocacy is so very important. Self-advocacy, if done right, can improve your quality of life and help you attain better health more effectively and efficiently. However, like anything, it must be done correctly, or it can have the...
Navigating the Journey Together: Advocates and Parents Supporting Children with Developmental Disabilities
Raising a child with developmental disabilities—such as Autism, Down Syndrome, or other neurodivergent conditions—can be a deeply rewarding, yet incredibly complex journey. For families across North Carolina navigating healthcare...
Who’s Really Advocating for You? The Critical Difference Between Hospital and Independent Patient Advocates
Written by Blaire Flamand RN, CCRN, CFRN, CHE; Lead Independent RN Patient Advocate, Founder of CompassHealth Advocacy & Education When navigating the complexities of the healthcare system, patients and their families often seek the...
The Big Beautiful Bill and You: What It Means for Your Safety in the Hospital
Whether you’re cheering its passage or not, the Big Beautiful Bill (BBB) has sent shockwaves through the healthcare world. While its provisions don’t take effect until 2028, hospitals across the country are already making budget-driven...
The Big Risk We Don’t Talk About Enough: Medical Errors
When you walk into your doctor’s office or a hospital, you probably don’t immediately think about medical errors. Yet for those of us who’ve worked inside the healthcare system, we know they happen every day. They usually are...