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PATIENT ADVOCACY TOOLKIT

Your voice is your best medical tool. Practice using it here, and keep the exact words for real visits.

A quick word first: this toolkit teaches communication skills, not medical advice. If you ever have chest pain, trouble breathing, sudden severe dizziness, or face or throat swelling in real life, call 911 right away.

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Scenario 1 of 10
Best on first try: 0

The doctor says:

Choose your response:

Step 1: Choose your situation

Step 2: Your question for the pharmacist

Tip: you do not have to memorize anything. Hand your phone to the pharmacist, or read the box above out loud, word for word.

Your Pocket Scripts: tap one to open it

Before your appointment
When you feel dismissed
Ask for it in writing
Getting a second opinion

Reading Your Test Results

Here is a pretend lab result, like one you might see in your patient portal. Tap each line to learn what it really means.

Cholesterol Panel

Patient: Practice Member (pretend results)

Tap any line above and its plain meaning appears here.
•Results often appear in your portal before your doctor has read them. Seeing them first is normal, not alarming.
•No call from the office usually means all is well. You are still allowed to ask.
•The golden rule: never interpret alone. If a result ever frightens you, call the office. Asking is what they are there for.
Portal message you can send:"I saw my recent results and have a question about [test name]. Could you tell me what this means for me, and whether anything needs follow up?"

This Is Not a Bill

After a doctor visit, a confusing paper arrives from your insurance called an Explanation of Benefits. Tap each part of this pretend one to see what it really means.

Explanation of Benefits

Office visit on a pretend date, for Practice Member

Tap any part above and its plain meaning appears here.
•Wait for the real bill from the provider. It comes separately, usually later.
•When it arrives, match it against the "amount you may owe" line. They should agree.
•Look for the same service listed twice. Duplicate charges are the most common billing mistake.
•If the numbers differ or confuse you, call the billing office before paying. That call is normal, and they answer it all day.
•SCAM WARNING: real billing offices send paper and can wait. Anyone calling to demand payment today, especially by gift card or wire, is a thief. Hang up.
Billing office call script:"Hi, I received a bill for my visit on [date]. Can you walk me through the charges and confirm it matches what my insurance processed? I want to make sure I only pay what I truly owe."

My Appointment Prep Sheet

Fill in what you can. Everything saves only on this device, and the Print button makes a clean one-page sheet to hand your doctor.