Endorsement by Mike
Endorsement by Stephanie
Marjorie Mrasek
Patient Advocate Alliance customer
“Recently, I had the opportunity to take a 35-day cruise with my dear friend from high school—we’ve been friends since our very first day of ninth grade and are now both in our late 80s. The cruise, booked through Costco, was a wonderful experience, and I had the foresight to purchase medical insurance in case I needed it during the journey.
About 10 days into the cruise, I developed swelling and redness around one of my eyes. After a couple of days with no improvement, I visited the ship’s medical unit and was diagnosed with a sty and cellulitis. I was treated promptly with intravenous antibiotics for three days, followed by a course of oral antibiotics. The treatment was effective and I was very grateful for the onboard care.
At the end of the cruise, I received a bill totaling approximately $2,200 for the medical treatment, which I paid in full using my credit card. Once I returned home, I began the process of filing a claim through the Zurich Cruise Insurance I had purchased.
Submitting the claim turned out to be more complicated than I expected. Although I followed the instructions and provided the bill and proof of payment, Zurich requested more detailed medical records, which I had to order (at an additional cost) from the cruise line. The documentation was disorganized, and I felt overwhelmed and concerned that I might miss something important, causing further delays or denial of the claim.
That’s when I decided to look for help—and I found Patient Advocate Alliance. From the moment I contacted them, they were professional, thorough, and reassuring. One of their Nurse Consultants took all the documentation I had, organized it beautifully, created a table of contents, and wrote a clear, concise cover letter explaining my medical situation and treatment. They even handled mailing the complete packet to Zurich Insurance via UPS and provided a tracking number.
While I have not yet received reimbursement, Patient Advocate Alliance has continued to support me throughout the process and assured me they will assist until my case is resolved. Their help lifted a huge burden off my shoulders and gave me peace of mind during what could have been a stressful and frustrating situation.
I highly recommend Patient Advocate Alliance to anyone needing help navigating insurance claims or complex medical paperwork. Their professionalism, compassion, and dedication are truly invaluable.”
Dick (94 years young)
Patient Advocate Alliance customer
“Not too long ago, I was in a car accident, and what happened afterward was more stressful than the accident itself. My auto insurance didn’t want to pay the medical bills because they said it might’ve been caused by a heart issue. Then Medicare and my health insurance said the auto insurance should cover it since it happened in the car. I was completely stuck in the middle — I didn’t know what to do, and to be honest, I was pretty worried.
At my age, when I get a bill, I feel like I ought to pay it. That’s how we were raised — you take care of your responsibilities. But when I reached out to Patient Advocate Alliance (PAA), and Tami Rockholt told me, “Don’t pay that yet,” I was nervous. I didn’t want my credit hurt, and I don’t know much about how all these systems work nowadays.
But thank goodness I listened. Within two weeks, they got it all straightened out. The car insurance ended up paying everything, and I didn’t owe a penny — no copays, no deductible, nothing.
At 94, these kinds of things are hard. I don’t use the computer much, and it’s easy to feel lost in the shuffle. But PAA took care of me, explained things in a way I could understand, and made sure I wasn’t left holding the bag.
Mahalo Nui Loa to Patient Advocate Alliance. I’m truly grateful.”
Dawn
Patient Advocate Alliance customer
“I want to extend my heartfelt thanks to Patient Advocate Alliance for the exceptional support they gave us during the final weeks of my mother’s life. We were incredibly fortunate to be connected with Tamara, RN, who works with PAA and quickly became a steady presence during an extremely difficult time.
My mother, Karen, was 89 when she was taken to the ER on May 18, 2025. We were told she’d had a mild heart attack, and soon after, received the devastating news that she had advanced pancreatic cancer. Everything happened so quickly. Only five days later, the hospital was preparing to discharge her with a hospice recommendation. It was overwhelming, and I didn’t know where to begin.
That’s when I reached out to PAA. Tamara responded immediately. Her calm personality and clear guidance brought much-needed relief to our stressful situation. Within hours, she had helped us arrange hospice care and coordinated all the essentials we needed at home—a hospital bed, a commode, everything necessary to keep Mom comfortable. Because of her help, we were able to bring my mother home that same evening with everything in place.
Later that night, when Mom was in distress, I panicked. I called Tamara again. With such calm and reassurance, she talked me through exactly what to do and how to use the medications. Thanks to her guidance, by the next morning, my mother was comfortable, smiling, and more like herself.
For the next two weeks, we were able to care for her at home, in peace, surrounded by loved ones. With Tamara’s steady support and expertise, we felt confident managing her care on our own. My mother remained comfortable, alert, and was able to share quiet moments with us until the very end.
Words can’t fully express what this meant to our family. The care and support we received from PAA—and from Tamara—went beyond professionalism. It was compassionate, human, and exactly what we needed during this difficult and sad time for our family.
I strongly recommend Patient Advocate Alliance to anyone facing a medical crisis. Their work truly makes a difference, and I will always be grateful for the help they gave us.”
Patricia
Patient Advocate Alliance customer
“I’m 79 years old, and in December 2023, my health really started to decline. I was hospitalized, and when I came home, I was still very weak and couldn’t take care of myself. Since I live alone, the doctor arranged for nurses from Meridian Home Health to come every day to help me.
The nurses were wonderful, and I felt relieved to have someone there, but as time went on, the bills started adding up. I paid what I could, but before I knew it, I had already paid over $60,000 with my credit card. Then I got another bill saying I owed $145,000 more. It felt impossible to keep up, and I started thinking about borrowing money from my home just to cover it all.
I had no idea there were errors on the bills until my son Mark reached out to Patient Advocate Alliance (PAA). Tami and her team were a godsend. They were so understanding and explained things to me in a way that I could understand. They found all kinds of mistakes on the invoices—charges for things I never received, duplicate charges, and things billed the wrong way.
Thanks to their help, we brought in a lawyer, and after reviewing everything, Meridian decided to cancel the entire bill. I honestly never would have known there were issues with the billing if it hadn’t been for PAA.
I’m just so thankful for Tami and her team. They gave me peace of mind during such a stressful time and helped me avoid something I couldn’t have handled on my own. I’d recommend them to anyone who needs help with medical bills.”
Mark, son of Patricia
Patient Advocate Alliance customer
“My 79-year-old mother was hospitalized in December 2023. When she was discharged, the doctor sent her home even though she was still quite weak. Since she lives alone, the doctor ordered 24-hour nursing care through Meridian Home Health. The nurses came every day—for four months.
The bill became overwhelming. My mom had already paid over $60,000 using her credit card, but she just couldn’t keep up. I was preparing to take out a second mortgage for $145,000 on her home just to cover the balance. Before going through with it, I reached out to Patient Advocate Alliance (PAA) for help reviewing Meridian’s invoices to ensure everything was billed correctly.
Tami and her team were fantastic. They were kind, compassionate, and incredibly knowledgeable about medical billing and proper billing practices. They identified several significant billing errors, including services that were never rendered, duplicative charges, upcoding, and unbundling of procedures.
With their support, I hired an attorney who reviewed Tami’s detailed reports, and as a result, Meridian dismissed the case and canceled the outstanding balance.
I can’t recommend PAA enough. Their services were a lifeline for our family, and I’m forever grateful”
Michael Skiba
Patient Advocate Alliance customer
“I was faced with an unfortunate and unplanned health condition while overseas approximately a year and a half ago. My pain began in my left ankle and over the next two years it spread to my entire body, whereby I was feeling intense neuropathic type pain. I am an international consultant and own my own global business, which requires me to travel 80% of the time, to a grinding halt. I was confined to a wheelchair and on crutches on and off for the next two years as I tried to assess the cause and origin, and treatment, of my symptoms.
This resulted in me seeing over 50 doctors in all specialties around the country and resulted in zero answers for the cause and condition I was facing. I was completely debilitated and lost in a sea of medical bills, treatment, direction and future path. I contacted the team at the Patient Advocate Alliance and was immediately met with compassion and a team to help me navigate the endless medical bills and treatment I was receiving.
The team was the answer that I needed as they provided a voice of reason and helped me get right to the core and direction of my treatment. Without them there is no doubt that I would still be a lost patient in the healthcare world. They not only helped advocate for my medical bills, but their kindness and friendship was exactly what I needed to keep me motivated and pushing along.
I would highly encourage anyone facing any medical condition and needing a voice of reading reason, direction, and friendship, to contact the team as they will no doubt be in your corner!”
Kathy
Patient Advocate Alliance customer
“My 81-year-old mother-in-law was incapacitated with pain starting in her Lumbar spine down to her foot. I contacted Patient Advocate Alliance. They
consulted with an Orthopedic Consultant. He had some questions which I relayed to PAA and was able to give her his recomendation. Post-surgery, she spent a relatively lengthy time in the hospital. After checking with PAA, they explained what I should expect and what she will need when she is discharged home. This information gave my mother-in-law confidence that her surgery was necessary, and although there are no guarentee’s she has done quite well in her post-operative course.”
Emily T
Patient Advocate Alliance customer
“It was September 2024, and while living on the Big Island of Hawaii, I took a business/pleasure trip to my hometown, Detroit. I got into a car accident. My car was drivable. I declined an ambulance as I was thinking about the money and concerned about what my insurance would cover. While my car was barely drivable, I drove to my friend’s home where I was staying. I had pain from what I learned by researching online was a seat belt injury.
I was determined not to miss the 3-day business meeting I was there to attend. I attended the meetings. During the day, while I had pain, I could tolerate it; however, at night, I was very uncomfortable trying to sleep. I was hurting, so I chose to get home to Hawaii and get X-rays and an assessment of my injury. I had already determined from looking online that I had a seat belt injury.
At the airport, I called my medical insurance, HMSA, to set up an appointment for X-rays and was told they would not be able to see me as my medical did not cover me for an auto accident. I was told to call my auto insurance and get their explanation. It made sense. Sort of.
So I figured I would call my auto insurance and learn through them I could go to my usual Hawaii Island Community Health Clinic using my Hartford Auto Medical and was told once again they could not, under any circumstance, see me as it was an auto accident patient. I was very surprised and did not understand.
My Hartford Auto Medical Adjuster was familiar with what I was up against: providers did not want to see a car accident patient, and it was related to reimbursement fees. Eventually, my auto insurance medical adjuster, who was very attentive, got me into our North Hawaii Hospital Emergency Room for X-rays, which was helpful, although billed as an Emergency Room visit.
It was determined I had a fractured sternum. My Emergency Room XRAY paperwork directed me to my regular medical provider for follow-up, and once again, my regular medical provider could not see me. I wanted to get an assessment of my healing, which involved little activity and initially sitting up to sleep. No lifting, leaning over, reaching for items, and being conscious of minimizing my generally very active lifestyle for at least 3 months. I wanted to get another XRAY after a month or more and get into some Physical Therapy, but I was not able to figure out where or how to get that attention.
That is when I called my friend Tami Rockholt, Patient Advocate Alliance. I realized that guiding someone through my situation was what they did. It wasn’t long before Tami got me into a Medical Clinic to see an APRN who, because I sensed their high regard for Tami, was willing to take me on as a patient.
I have since had a follow-up XRAY and been to Physical Therapy prescribed by the APRN and had a follow-up visit. My care has been so helpful and encouraging and would not have happened without the efforts of Tami and her Patient Advocate Alliance. I am very grateful for the care and grateful for what I have learned about the car accident patient difficulties in Hawaii so I can alert others to what may happen should they have an auto accident. I’m suggesting to my friends that they get familiar with Patient Advocate Alliance and what Tami and her co-founder Justin Goode, MD, can do for them, not just related to car accident medical care but any medical-related care.
Some years ago, Tami started teaching me about medical codes and how to read and understand billing, and when and how to question what might seem amiss. What I had learned from Tami has served me well when dealing with other medical and dental insurance. If you have issues regarding your medical care, I suggest you reach out and talk with Tami, Justin, and their team. Be proactive and reach out and get acquainted for when you just may need their assistance.”
Diane
Patient Advocate Alliance customer
“I recently had the opportunity to consult with Patient Advocate Alliance, and it was an incredibly enlightening experience. The discussion proved instrumental in helping my husband and me navigate the complicated landscape of health insurance, especially in figuring out the differences between various plans.
Initially, we were enrolled in a health insurance plan that seemed suitable. However, when my husband faced a significant health diagnosis and subsequent treatment, we found ourselves grappling with escalating bills. This highlighted the importance of understanding the distinctions between in-network and out-of-network providers, details often overlooked during urgent medical situations, regardless of the specific insurance plan.
Thankfully, based on the help we got from PAA, we made a timely decision to adjust our health coverage. This decision not only alleviated our financial burden but also provided us with the coverage we truly needed during a challenging time.
I am sincerely thankful to the team at PAA for their invaluable knowledge and willingness to help. Their expertise in helping us navigate the complexities of health insurance was huge a financial relief that gave us peace of mind during a critical period in our lives.”
Ronald Shapiro
Patient Advocate Alliance customer
“Dealing with Medicare coverage and related private insurance issues can be daunting and at times seemingly impossible. Despite my legal background I found myself in a maze of problem-solving affecting coverage for my brother (who has been diagnosed with Lewy Body Dementia). I lacked the expertise and time to navigate the bureaucratic obstacles and ultimately get in place the right coverage at a manageable premium level. And that’s where getting the support of the Patient Alliance team, especially Chris and Tami, was the difference maker. They helped me sort out the issues, create a menu of workable options, and ultimately to solve the cost and coverage problems in far less time than I would have if trying to address them by myself. I am deeply grateful for the assistance Patient Advocate Alliance.”
Lauren Cousyn
Patient Advocate Alliance customer
“I couldn’t be more grateful to PAA for the time they took to help resolve my claim. After completing the review, they took the time to review the findings with me and explain them in layman’s terms so that I could easily articulate my case with the hospital. The medical system counts on uninformed patients, but PAA gives patients the tools negotiate a reasonable resolution. So thankful to Tami, Jenn and the rest of the team that assisted me!”
Tyler Mangum
Patient advocacy customer
“I had a routine blood draw, just a normal check-up with no additional visits. The hospital charged what was already double the national average rate for the lab which I paid, then 6 months later charged me an ADDITIONAL bill for more than 9X the average amount, after my in-network insurance had already agreed to the contracted rate. The hospital said the rate was non-negotiable, and there was nothing I could do, and that insurance already agreed. That’s when I reached out to Tami and PAA, who consulted me to firmly remind the hospital of my federal amendment rights. After a few additional emails with the hospital at PAAs guidance, the hospital COMPLETELY dropped the remaining egregious bill. I was so thankful to Tami and PAA for not only helping me drop the egregious bill, but also educating me on how to combat such fraudulence in the future, as they provided extensive material on my rights as a patient and my ability to request transparency from hospital billings. I am so thankful for their guidance!
Barbara
Patient advocacy customer, Hawaii
“I had a near death accident kitesurfing, which resulted in a night at the Emergency Room. After recovering to the extent that I could review the medical bills from the ER stay I was shocked to learn that the bills were five figures. A friend of mine referred me to Patient Advocacy Alliance to see if they could assist me in determining how to deal with these large bills. PAA became my advocate and was extremely helpful in advising me on how to navigate in this situation. They reviewed my medical records and spoke with the medical providers directly requesting to reconsider their charges. I am very happy with the results I achieved with PAA’s assistance to significantly reduce my medical expenses for my stay at the ER. PAA is a very important organization that provides transparency and personal assistance to individuals who do not have the professional or financial expertise to evaluate their medical charges. I highly recommend PAA for those experiencing similar challenges with the health care system. A big thank you to the PAA team.”
Sharon "Shay" Bintliff, MD, FACEP
Former Vice Chairperson, Hawaii State Medical Board, Hawaii State Ethics Commission Member
“As a retired Emergency Room physician I know first hand how dangerous it can be when a doctor doesn’t know all of a patient’s medications, doses, and drug allergies. A medication card is such a simple solution, yet hardly anybody carries one in their wallet, and most people don’t remember all of their medications and dosages. I also support the other patient advocacy aspects of this company. Our current healthcare system leaves many individuals struggling to pay their medical bills and sometimes unable to get optimal care. Patient Advocate Alliance is doing something worthwhile and important.”
Roger Donaldson, CFE
Licensed Accident and Health Adjuster, A fortune 50 carrier Investigator
“Patient Advocate Alliance’s COVID-19 resource board has been tremendous help in getting factual, peer supported information on the pandemic. The media seems to be awash in conflicting and sensationalized information, so I appreciate having a goto resource that provides me with the most up to date and accurate data to protect myself and my family. Thank you for putting this all in one place and explaining the issues in an accessible format. Now, with the emergence of “MIS-C” I hope you can include information on this new syndrome and what parents should know as well. Thank you for making this information available to the public—I’ve recommended the site to other family as an excellent resource.”
Alba T.
Patient advocacy customer, Hawaii
“I am grateful to PAA for answering my questions about Medicare’s extremely confusing supplemental plans. This has helped immensely in making the right selection for my individual needs. Their services are very valuable and anyone can benefit from contacting them as a resource.
So thankful for their assistance!
Shiho
Patient advocacy customer, Hawaii
“When my 16 year-old son broke his collarbone, Patient Advocate Alliance provided me with a comprehensive list of questions to ask the doctor. With this list of questions, my son and I felt prepared and comfortable going to the doctor’s appointment. I have always been hesitant to ask the doctor questions, both due to not knowing what to ask and not knowing the extent of how much I can ask. With the guidance of Patient Advocate Alliance, our experience with the doctor was amazing and the appointment went very smoothly. Furthermore, it was an extremely informative experience that I will be able to apply to any future visits to the doctors and help me navigate through my visits. “
Darlene
Patient Advocate Alliance customer
“I am 87 years young and my medication card has allowed me to have all my medications and allergies listed in one place so no one gets confused ever again. It was also really helpful to get a whole new set of cards for free when my heart doctor changed my blood pressure medication.”
Mrs. S.
Patient Advocate Alliance customer
“Patient Advocate Alliance helped me ask questions of my husband’s doctor so I could understand what was really happening and understand the process. The medication card was extremely helpful when dealing with multiple medical providers, the oncologist, the cardiologist, and internal medicine doctor. I stopped having to carry around all those pill bottles to every appointment.”
Zach
Patient Advocate Alliance customer
“I was turned down by my insurance to have an implantable glucose meter. As a Type 1 Diabetic, it was very important to my health to try and get this denial overturned. Patient Advocate Alliance presented my insurance carrier with a cost benefit analysis showing how the insurance would actually start saving money within one year. After that meeting, the insurance company overturned their denial and I was allowed to get the implantable glucose meter! The Medication card also saved me with hassle of explaining medication changes and keeping communication clear between my endocrinologist, surgeon and my main doctor.”
Chris Ciongoli
Patient Advocate Alliance customer
“I was struggling with health and insurance issues. PAA was able to help me get better care and take care of some unresolved issues with my health insurance. They were tenacious with getting my issues resolved, between different specialist providers in two different cities. Without PAA I don’t think I would have survived my cancer diagnosis.”
Dezi Geddes
Patient Advocate Alliance customer
“I had a severe skin infection in a very sensitive area of my body for many months and my primary care doctor did not seem to know what to do. As a young person without any experience with the healthcare system, my patient advocate helped me navigate and get better care. They got me in to see a specialist and I am 100% better thanks to them! I also learned some tools that will help me throughout my life when I am dealing with doctors and other medical professionals. Eternally grateful!”
Pham
Patient Advocate Alliance customer
“PAA helped my young son get the emergency care and surgery he needed, due to the fact we were uninsured. They were able to negotiate our medical bills down to almost nothing.”
Darlene
Patient Advocate Alliance customer
“I believe that the medication card is important for accuracy when going to the doctor and having to fill out the medication list every time you go… I am now making a copy of the medication card and telling them to I put that as an accurate reflection for all my medications instead of trying to go by my memory which is not good at 87 years young”
Charles
Patient Advocate Alliance customer
“Tami and her staff were incredibly professional and patient as they helped me navigate a health care billing nightmare. I appreciate all of the time and energy they spent not only negotiating my bill down to 30% but also teaching me how to do this. I actually used the skills Tami taught me in another matter and had my bill reduced down to a reasonable amount. I would recommend Patient Advocate Alliance to anyone who might need similar help.”
Nancy
Patient Advocate Alliance customer
I want to say, as a Registered Nurse (RN in busy Emergency Room) and person from Venezuela who speaks little English, the medication card is invaluable to me as it makes sure there is NOTHING lost in the translation and every treatment provider knows what medications I am taking as well as the dosage and frequency. Until the medication card, I always wanted to have my daughter or son accompany me to the doctor to confirm everyone was ‘speaking the same language.’ This is a MUST for anyone who is not fluent in the English language. Mucho gracias to PAA!
Linda
Patient Advocate Alliance customer
About 10 years ago I was a dance instructor and was the picture of perfect health. I was fit and healthy. Then I was diagnosed with stage 4 lung cancer. I did not have insurance and the Affordable Care Act was not in effect yet. My doctor prescribed me a small dose of chemo. Things were not getting better until Tami stepped in with her Patient Advocacy and recommended I see a new oncologist, who took a much more aggressive approach to my health.
I received an aggressive dose of chemo, radiation and Tami helped me get approved for a gamma knife procedure for a tumor that had metastasized into my brain. I am happy to report all my tumors went away except the initial tumor in my lung, which was surgically removed. I am now cancer free. I really appreciate everything Tami and her team did to save my life and without her and her Patient Advocacy I would not be here today. Thank you so much for helping me keep a positive attitude about the process as well Tami!