3. Patient Advocate.
Nitty-gritty: You're in change of helping patients navigate the byzantine medical system. You can get to the bottom of billing mistakes and contest insurance-coverage rejections. At times, you might lend advice in making medical decisions, help find a specialist or hospital, go with patients to doctor appointments, coordinate multiple doctor care, and even pick-up prescriptions. Knowing how to fill out insurance forms, and even negotiate with docs for better rates might fall under your jurisdiction. Job opportunities range from working privately for one person or a couple to working on staff as an advocate at a local hospital, nursing home, rehab center and even an insurance company.
Median pay range: $15 to 50 per hour on average, but $200+ an hour is possible if you have a strong health care background.
Qualifications: Community colleges and nonprofit organizations are developing training and certification programs to help more people tackle this post. Nurses, social workers, medical professionals and insurance experts are in high demand for these positions. But if you've steered your own exasperating path through the medical system, you might be the perfect person to take on this role, but take the time to add the necessary skills to get certified. No licenses are required to practice, but there are several credentialing programs. Contact the National Association of Healthcare Advocacy Consultants, a professional group in Berkeley, Calif., and the non-profit Patient Advocate Foundation for more information.
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