Former Senior Biologic Coordinator at one of the largest infusion centers in Northern New Jersey - Advocate Spotlight - Keny
As a little girl, my mother nicknamed me, "Keny the trouble-maker." It wasn't because I started fights or misbehaved outrageously. It was because I cared passionately about others and felt the need to speak up or stand up on their behalf. Flash forward to my thirties, I still embody the same characteristic I displayed at an early age. I share this with you because this statement still holds to be true. The only difference is that now I speak up and stand up on behalf of patients.
I began my healthcare advocate role while working at one of the largest infusion centers in Northern New Jersey. My role as a Lead Biologic coordinator gave me the ability to see the bumpy path of the healthcare system and all of its potholes. The admin part of my role consisted of filling out every type of form you can imagine. It ranged from pharmaceutical enrollment forms to authorization forms, copay program forms, and foundation assistance forms. Once I ran out of ink, it was time to pick up the phone and start following up on the forms I filled out. There were days where my hold time with insurance companies was longer than my lunch break, but my persistence to get answers kept me going.
I would love to sit here and tell you the admin part was the hardest, but that takes the backseat. The hardest part of my day was breaking the news to patients their insurance did not cover their infusions. After these types of calls, I always felt drained, both emotionally and mentally. I knew in order for me to stop feeling this way, I needed to shake things up, and so I did. I refused to let a denial letter diminish my passion for helping others. Therefore, I developed a system that allowed me to efficiently provide assistance to more patients. I was able to get access for our patients in the amount of over $550,000. For the majority of our patients getting access or additional funding’s was life changing. Through word of mouth more patients were referred to our center because of my ability to advocate on their behalf. Not only was I providing assistance to our patients but also bringing value to the practice. As my passion for assisting patients who were underinsured or uninsured grew, more opportunities came knocking.
I got the opportunity to speak on various pharmaceutical advisory boards where my voice was heard on matters that directly affected patients and their access. I was invited to be the keynote speaker for panels on future thought leaders in the infusion industry. I was asked to consult for pharmaceutical hubs in creating assistance programs, and the development of their provider portals. As doors opened up for me, I made sure to promote needed changes to help those patients stranded on the pathway to coverage.
“We are passionate individuals discussing and creating changes that will change lives. ”
After eleven years of running an infusion center, I transitioned into my next role. I began working with a medical consultant company that educates facilities on the resources out there to decrease the access gap. I now have the ability to impact multiple facilities instead of just one. I love my role as a field reimbursement manager; it is taking my passion on the go.
This is why I joined the remarkable healthcare advocate speakers at the Advocate Healthcare Summit. This summit will be a powerhouse of various individuals sharing advocate resources, navigating through patient access, and reimbursement roadblocks. We are passionate individuals discussing and creating changes that will change lives. After all, "This role is not for the meek. We are persistent and relentless when it comes to getting our patients the health access they deserve."
Keny Urbina
Former Senior Biologic Coordinator, Field Reimbursement Manager
Come join us, and hear more from Keny on the following topic:
Day ONE · Monday April 6, 2020
Manufacturer Portal & Hub Utilization
Heather Sawrey - Biologics Coordinator, Forefront Dermatology
Keny Urbina - Former Senior Biologic Coordinator, Field Reimbursement Manager