What Is An Ombudsman?

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The first time I heard someone talk abut an ombudsman I was at a loss; I had no idea what it / he was and why it was something that I needed to investigate. If you or a loved one has to spend any amount of time in a hospital, rehabilitation facility or nursing home you need to get information about the ombudsman that covers that area. They can help when there are billing disputes, care concerns, privacy issues and almost every other situation. There are ombudsman agents for more than just medical situations too; they can help mediate business problems, billing errors and other instances where negotiations and meditations have stalled. I have used the Allegheny and Westmoreland County ombudsman agents successfully. One was to argue that I was being force-ably transferred to a step-down facility that couldn't provide me with the physical therapy that I needed and the other was when my privacy rights were continually violated when information was given out without my permission. Currently I am working with an agent about the disgusting food that's being served at a facility I go to four times a month for specialty physical therapy. (Does that photo make you sick??) The services are free and in most cases they can help with alternative outcomes if there is no mutual accord. Medical facilities must have the ombudsman information posted in a public place. You can not be retaliated against for submitting a complaint to an ombudsman