Immediate Advocacy

5035 –Immediate Advocacy (Rev.28, Issued: 10-21-16, Effective: 10-21-16, Implementation: 10-21-16) Based on the nature of the concern(s) the beneficiary raised during the Intake Stage, the QIO may recommend the use of Immediate Advocacy. Immediate Advocacy is an informal process the QIO uses to quickly resolve an oral complaint. The QIO should summarize the steps in the Immediate Advocacy process for the beneficiary and obtain the beneficiary’s oral consent to participate in Immediate Advocacy before proceeding. In this process, the QIO makes immediate/direct contact with the practitioner and/or provider. Immediate Advocacy is a voluntary process. The QIO must also obtain oral consent to participate from the practitioner/provider. NOTE: A beneficiary, practitioner, provider, or the QIO may discontinue Immediate Advocacy at any time. (See §5035.5). NOTE: The use of Immediate Advocacy is not appropriate for situations where the beneficiary does not want his/her identity disclosed to the practitioner and/or provider.