Case-Based Advocacy

What is case-based advocacy?

Case-based advocacy means working with one patient and one family at a time.

Unlike a hotline, chatbot, or resource directory, we stay with a case over time. Our role is to help patients understand their medical journey, organize information, prepare for important decisions, and navigate an increasingly complex healthcare system.

Every case is different. As new information becomes available, priorities change and new questions arise. We help patients make sense of those changes so they can move through their care with greater clarity and confidence.

Who we serve

Case-based advocacy is intended for patients whose situations are too complex for standard navigation services. This includes people with:

• Rare or ultra-rare diseases
• Complex conditions involving multiple medical specialties
• Precision medicine or genomic diagnoses
• Care that spans several hospitals, health systems, or countries
• Difficult diagnostic journeys without a clear pathway forward

These situations often involve fragmented records, multiple opinions, and uncertainty about what comes next.

How we help

Our work is tailored to each patient, but commonly includes:

• Explaining medical records, pathology reports, genomic findings, and specialist recommendations in understandable language.
• Organizing records into a clear medical timeline, even when information comes from multiple institutions.
• Identifying the members of the care team and helping patients understand each person's role.
• Preparing questions before appointments and reviewing important discussions afterward.
• Finding reliable educational resources and helping patients evaluate new information.
• Maintaining continuity by following the case over time rather than only during moments of crisis.

Our goal is not simply to provide information, but to help patients use that information effectively.

Getting started

If you believe Altra Via may be able to help, contact us through our contact page.

We begin with an introductory conversation to understand your situation, discuss your goals, and determine whether our services are an appropriate fit. If we move forward, we will work together to define the scope of advocacy that best supports your needs.

Because every case receives individualized attention, we accept only a limited number of active cases at any given time. When we reach capacity, we will be transparent about our availability and, whenever possible, suggest other organizations that may be able to help.

What we do not do

Altra Via is a patient advocacy and navigation organization.

We do not diagnose medical conditions, prescribe treatments, or provide medical advice. Clinical decisions remain the responsibility of the patient's physicians and healthcare team.

We cannot guarantee outcomes or access to specific treatments. Our role is to help patients understand their options, communicate effectively with their care team, and navigate complex healthcare systems with informed, consistent support.