Frequently Asked Questions

A private patient advocate is an independent professional who works exclusively for you — not for a hospital, insurance company, or healthcare system. Unlike hospital-employed patient liaisons (who often function more like customer service for the facility), a private advocate's only job is to represent your family's interests. We help navigate insurance denials, coordinate complex care, audit medical bills, prepare for appointments, and stand beside you when the system gets hard to manage alone.

The BCPA is a professional credential issued by the Patient Advocate Certification Board (PACB). It is widely regarded as the gold standard in professional patient advocacy. To earn the BCPA credential, advocates must demonstrate specific knowledge, experience, and adherence to a code of ethics in healthcare advocacy. Maura is actively working toward this credential, which will be added to her already-extensive background as a licensed insurance professional and experienced caregiver.

No — and this distinction matters enormously. Hospital patient advocates are employed by the hospital itself, which creates a fundamental conflict of interest. Their job is ultimately to serve the institution's interests. Kindred Advocates is entirely independent: we are not employed by or compensated by any hospital, insurer, or healthcare system. We work only for you and your family.

Yes — and this is one of our core strengths. As a licensed insurance professional, Maura brings insider knowledge of how insurance companies process claims, write policy language, and handle appeals. An insurance denial is often not the final word. Studies show that a large majority of properly documented and submitted appeals are at least partially approved. We help you build the strongest possible appeal and navigate the process on your behalf.

The LEGACY Framework is Maura Dowd Sniegoski's signature 6-step methodology: Logistics & Documentation, Emergency Prep, Guardianship & Care Intentions, Asset & Policy Protection, Continuity & Coordination, and Your Peace of Mind. Built from over two decades of business operations and hands-on caregiving, it gives families a clear, methodical roadmap that shifts future planning from fear into proactive leadership and care.

Absolutely — and this is actually where Kindred Advocates is uniquely positioned. Maura is personally living the "sandwich generation" experience right now: simultaneously caring for both sets of aging parents and raising three medically complex children under eight. She understands both sides of this experience firsthand and has built her practice to serve families carrying both burdens at once.

Depending on your needs and location, yes. We can attend appointments in person (for families in the Anne Arundel County, MD area) or virtually via telehealth to take notes, ask informed questions, ensure instructions are clearly understood, and serve as a second set of eyes and ears when it matters most. We can also help you prepare for appointments so you walk in with the right questions and documentation.

Medical billing errors are remarkably common — research suggests that the majority of complex hospital bills contain at least one error, ranging from duplicate charges to services not actually rendered. A medical bill audit involves a careful, line-by-line review of your bill against your Explanation of Benefits (EOB) and your actual records. If your bill involves a hospital stay, surgery, or complex outpatient services, an audit is almost always worth doing.

In most cases, private patient advocacy services are not covered by health insurance. However, some employers include advocacy support through Employee Assistance Programs (EAPs), and the savings generated through successful insurance appeals or bill audits often significantly exceed the cost of advocacy services. We're transparent about our fees upfront and offer a free discovery call before any commitment is made.

While Kindred Advocates is based in Anne Arundel County, Maryland, many of our services can be provided virtually to families nationwide. Insurance policy review, denial appeals, bill audits, care coordination support, and appointment preparation can all be handled remotely. Contact us to discuss your specific situation and location.

Start with a free discovery call. No commitment, no pressure — just an honest conversation about your family's situation and how we might be able to help. You can schedule a call or send us a message through our contact page. We'll get back to you within one business day.

Yes. All conversations and information shared with Kindred Advocates are treated with the utmost confidentiality. We handle your family's health and financial information with the same discretion we would want for our own. Before beginning formal advocacy work, we establish clear agreements about how your information will be used and protected.