HKS PATIENT ADVOCATE SERVICES

A) CONSULTATION (in person or by telephone) - "Assess Problem & Make a Plan":
The collaboration begins with a private consultation. Services include:
• Summary of the patient's complete medical history and current health problem(s)
• Physician Referrals as needed (see below)
• Report on Latest Medical Research (see below)
• Plan of Action setting forth prioritized health goals, and identifying which resources and services will be needed

B) REFERRAL - HKS refers patients to the most experienced Board-Certified Physicians, Medical Centers of Excellence and Adjuvant Health Care Practitioners (i.e., Complementary & Alternative Medicine). Referral Services are performed on a worldwide basis and include the following:
• Letter of introduction to the referred clinician
• Confirmed appointment time
• Transmittal of the patient's medical records

C) DISEASE & TREATMENT REPORT - HKS performs comprehensive research on the latest developments in diagnosis and treatment for diseases and conditions of wide-ranging complexity, including but not limited to: cancer (all types); endocrinological disorders (thyroid, pituitary); neurological disorders (Multiple Sclerosis, Parkinson's, neuropathies, memory disorders); gastrointestinal disorders (Colitis, Crohn's); autoimmune disorders (Rheumatoid Arthritis, Lupus, Sjögren's, Scleroderma); metabolic disorders (Diabetes); cardiovascular disorders (hypertension, lipids, heart disease, coronary arterial disease); pulmonary disorders (Asthma, allergies, Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease); infectious diseases (Hepatitis C, Lyme disease); chronic pain; psychiatric disorders, etc. The final Report includes but is not limited to the following:

• Search of all clinical databases (e.g., Medline, Cochrane, UpToDate, PIER, Clinical Evidence, etc.)
• Summary of the latest medical research on treatment options, with ongoing updates if desired
• Synopsis of relevant Complementary & Alternative Medicine (CAM) treatments, if desired
• List of reputable patient education organizations and patient support groups

D) PERSONAL MEDICAL NAVIGATOR & CASE MANAGER - One Year Support for Patients with Chronic Conditions - Unlimited phone and email support includes but is not limited to:
• Reviewing all medical records and tests to create a comprehensive, integrated medical history
• Performing a multi-drug interaction analysis of patient's medications using PDR software
• Helping to secure films, slides, specimens and reports as needed for second opinions
• Making referrals to leading Board-Certified Physicians & Adjuvant Health Care Professionals
• Arranging Second Opinions, if desired
• Serving as the Patient's Personal Case Manager, coordinating communications between the members of the patient's health care team
• Summarizing the latest medical research on treatment options, with ongoing updates
• Identifying promising clinical trials
• Synopsizing relevant Complementary & Alternative Medicine (CAM) treatments, if desired
• Explaining upcoming procedures
• Preparing questions to ask your physician(s)
• Accompanying patients to physician meetings in the metropolitan New York area
• Identifying reputable patient education organizations and patient support groups

E) SPECIAL PATIENT ADVOCATE SERVICES - For patients not electing the services under "B", "C" or "D", and subsequent to the initial consultation, HKS provides the following discretionary services:
• accompanying patients to meetings, examinations or procedures at physician offices or hospitals in the metropolitan New York area
• educating and empowering patients on: informed consent, medical records, privacy rights, clinical trials, safe discharge plan, establishing medical necessity with HMO's, etc.

HKS Patient Advocates - Professional Code of Ethics
• HKS is devoted to promoting the health and welfare of patients, and to strengthening patients' collaborations with their physicians and other health care providers.
• We are not physicians. As Patient Advocates, we are committed to empowering patients with reliable information and choices concerning their health care, clinicians and treatment options.
• HKS research is drawn from published journals conforming to the principles of peer-review and evidence-based medicine.
• HKS maintains the confidentiality of all communications with patients.
• HKS makes recommendations of physicians, hospitals and other healthcare providers, based solely upon the needs of our patients. HKS does not and will not maintain any commercial relationship with any healthcare provider.
• HKS is a member of the Society for Healthcare Consumer Advocacy (SHCA), and is committed to its Code of Ethics.
• HKS subscribes to the HONcode principles of the Health On the Net Foundation.