Diahanna Vallentine, Author at Patient Empowerment Network

Questions to Ask Your Healthcare Team

March 27, 2025

It’s not always easy to know what questions to ask about your care or the care your loved one is receiving. On the following pages, you’ll find lists of questions […]

Diahanna Vallentine

Diahanna Vallentine, BCPA, Financial Empowerment Lead

In 2002 Diahanna and her husband received the news that her husband had MGUS, a precursor to Multiple Myeloma. Upon her husband death in 2013, Diahanna immediately decided to make it her mission to help patients and caregivers empower themselves to speak up and to position themselves as partners in their treatment. Diahanna became a Board-Certified Patient Advocate. She is currently the Financial Myeloma Coach for The Myeloma Crowd Foundation.

Asking for Financial Assistance Opportunities

March 20, 2025

If you find you are uninsured or underinsured and cannot meet your financial obligation for paying medical bills or paying for prescription drugs, you may have options. Opportunities for Assistance […]

Diahanna Vallentine

Diahanna Vallentine, BCPA, Financial Empowerment Lead

In 2002 Diahanna and her husband received the news that her husband had MGUS, a precursor to Multiple Myeloma. Upon her husband death in 2013, Diahanna immediately decided to make it her mission to help patients and caregivers empower themselves to speak up and to position themselves as partners in their treatment. Diahanna became a Board-Certified Patient Advocate. She is currently the Financial Myeloma Coach for The Myeloma Crowd Foundation.

Managing Financial Stress in an Uncertain Politically Charged Environment

March 5, 2025

I noticed in the last few weeks that I’ve been having a really difficult time sleeping. I experienced heart palpitations as well as short periods of minor panic attacks. This […]

Diahanna Vallentine

Diahanna Vallentine, BCPA, Financial Empowerment Lead

In 2002 Diahanna and her husband received the news that her husband had MGUS, a precursor to Multiple Myeloma. Upon her husband death in 2013, Diahanna immediately decided to make it her mission to help patients and caregivers empower themselves to speak up and to position themselves as partners in their treatment. Diahanna became a Board-Certified Patient Advocate. She is currently the Financial Myeloma Coach for The Myeloma Crowd Foundation.

Understanding Clinical Trials and Associated Cost and Mitigating Financial Stress

November 11, 2024

Remember the law that passed 2 years ago that prevented medical debt of under $500 from hitting your credit report? That was good news for many people. That, however, doesn’t […]

Diahanna Vallentine

Diahanna Vallentine, BCPA, Financial Empowerment Lead

In 2002 Diahanna and her husband received the news that her husband had MGUS, a precursor to Multiple Myeloma. Upon her husband death in 2013, Diahanna immediately decided to make it her mission to help patients and caregivers empower themselves to speak up and to position themselves as partners in their treatment. Diahanna became a Board-Certified Patient Advocate. She is currently the Financial Myeloma Coach for The Myeloma Crowd Foundation.

Estate Planning: Secure Your Future, Protect Your Legacy

October 30, 2024

Estate Planning is probably the least understood area of financial planning. It is also possibly one of the most important components of a solid financial plan. Many people think it […]

Diahanna Vallentine

Diahanna Vallentine, BCPA, Financial Empowerment Lead

In 2002 Diahanna and her husband received the news that her husband had MGUS, a precursor to Multiple Myeloma. Upon her husband death in 2013, Diahanna immediately decided to make it her mission to help patients and caregivers empower themselves to speak up and to position themselves as partners in their treatment. Diahanna became a Board-Certified Patient Advocate. She is currently the Financial Myeloma Coach for The Myeloma Crowd Foundation.

How Does a Disability Impact Spending in Retirement?

July 11, 2024

For a variety of reasons, people who have suffered a disability before retirement age and after finding themselves having to manage their spending in retirement quite differently than if they […]

Diahanna Vallentine

Diahanna Vallentine, BCPA, Financial Empowerment Lead

In 2002 Diahanna and her husband received the news that her husband had MGUS, a precursor to Multiple Myeloma. Upon her husband death in 2013, Diahanna immediately decided to make it her mission to help patients and caregivers empower themselves to speak up and to position themselves as partners in their treatment. Diahanna became a Board-Certified Patient Advocate. She is currently the Financial Myeloma Coach for The Myeloma Crowd Foundation.

Changes to Medicare Part D in 2024 and 2025

June 12, 2023

The Inflation Reduction Act of 2022 put into play some major changes to Medicare Part D enrollees. The purpose of the changes was to reduce out-of-pocket costs for prescription drugs. […]

Diahanna Vallentine

Diahanna Vallentine, BCPA, Financial Empowerment Lead

In 2002 Diahanna and her husband received the news that her husband had MGUS, a precursor to Multiple Myeloma. Upon her husband death in 2013, Diahanna immediately decided to make it her mission to help patients and caregivers empower themselves to speak up and to position themselves as partners in their treatment. Diahanna became a Board-Certified Patient Advocate. She is currently the Financial Myeloma Coach for The Myeloma Crowd Foundation.

Negotiating Debt, Managing Your Finances and Gaining Financial Security

March 22, 2023

Debt can be crushing. It can cause people to delay marriages, purchasing of a home and even decline or delay needed medical treatment. In fact, one of the leading causes […]

Diahanna Vallentine

Diahanna Vallentine, BCPA, Financial Empowerment Lead

In 2002 Diahanna and her husband received the news that her husband had MGUS, a precursor to Multiple Myeloma. Upon her husband death in 2013, Diahanna immediately decided to make it her mission to help patients and caregivers empower themselves to speak up and to position themselves as partners in their treatment. Diahanna became a Board-Certified Patient Advocate. She is currently the Financial Myeloma Coach for The Myeloma Crowd Foundation.

Hospital Charity Programs: What You Need to Know

March 17, 2023

Understanding Hospital Charity Programs Many of you may be aware that some laws have changed regarding reporting of medical debt to credit agencies. Those new laws are most favorable to […]

Diahanna Vallentine

Diahanna Vallentine, BCPA, Financial Empowerment Lead

In 2002 Diahanna and her husband received the news that her husband had MGUS, a precursor to Multiple Myeloma. Upon her husband death in 2013, Diahanna immediately decided to make it her mission to help patients and caregivers empower themselves to speak up and to position themselves as partners in their treatment. Diahanna became a Board-Certified Patient Advocate. She is currently the Financial Myeloma Coach for The Myeloma Crowd Foundation.

Medical Bills Collections, and Your Credit Score and Upcoming Changes

September 14, 2022

Many people don’t realize that their credit report may contain medical bills in collection that can seriously affect their credit score. Even if you’ve been paying your credit cards, mortgage, […]

Diahanna Vallentine

Diahanna Vallentine, BCPA, Financial Empowerment Lead

In 2002 Diahanna and her husband received the news that her husband had MGUS, a precursor to Multiple Myeloma. Upon her husband death in 2013, Diahanna immediately decided to make it her mission to help patients and caregivers empower themselves to speak up and to position themselves as partners in their treatment. Diahanna became a Board-Certified Patient Advocate. She is currently the Financial Myeloma Coach for The Myeloma Crowd Foundation.

Self-Education Is the Basis of Better Health Outcomes, Physically, Mentally, and Financially

June 23, 2022

We have all heard the phrase, “Hindsight is 20/20”. Yes, it can be, if we know to look and be retrospective and heed the lessons learned. However, too many of […]

Diahanna Vallentine

Diahanna Vallentine, BCPA, Financial Empowerment Lead

In 2002 Diahanna and her husband received the news that her husband had MGUS, a precursor to Multiple Myeloma. Upon her husband death in 2013, Diahanna immediately decided to make it her mission to help patients and caregivers empower themselves to speak up and to position themselves as partners in their treatment. Diahanna became a Board-Certified Patient Advocate. She is currently the Financial Myeloma Coach for The Myeloma Crowd Foundation.

How Medical Financial Hardship Can Affect Your Health

May 24, 2022

How Does Your Finances Affect Your Health? In 2002, my husband was diagnosed with MGUS, a precursor to Multiple Myeloma. As many of you have also experienced, your life changes. […]

Diahanna Vallentine

Diahanna Vallentine, BCPA, Financial Empowerment Lead

In 2002 Diahanna and her husband received the news that her husband had MGUS, a precursor to Multiple Myeloma. Upon her husband death in 2013, Diahanna immediately decided to make it her mission to help patients and caregivers empower themselves to speak up and to position themselves as partners in their treatment. Diahanna became a Board-Certified Patient Advocate. She is currently the Financial Myeloma Coach for The Myeloma Crowd Foundation.

Is Inflation Adding to Your Financial Burden?

April 18, 2022

The stock market was doing well, until it wasn’t. For those of you who are invested in the market, things have been going splendidly for quite a while. Then comes […]

Diahanna Vallentine

Diahanna Vallentine, BCPA, Financial Empowerment Lead

In 2002 Diahanna and her husband received the news that her husband had MGUS, a precursor to Multiple Myeloma. Upon her husband death in 2013, Diahanna immediately decided to make it her mission to help patients and caregivers empower themselves to speak up and to position themselves as partners in their treatment. Diahanna became a Board-Certified Patient Advocate. She is currently the Financial Myeloma Coach for The Myeloma Crowd Foundation.

Medicare Doesn’t Cover Free At-Home Covid Tests, But You Still Have Other Options to Attain Free Ones

February 7, 2022

The Biden Administration’s new mandate that insurers cover the cost of at-home test did not include beneficiaries of Medicare. This is very unfortunate because Medicare recipients are the largest at-risk […]

Diahanna Vallentine

Diahanna Vallentine, BCPA, Financial Empowerment Lead

In 2002 Diahanna and her husband received the news that her husband had MGUS, a precursor to Multiple Myeloma. Upon her husband death in 2013, Diahanna immediately decided to make it her mission to help patients and caregivers empower themselves to speak up and to position themselves as partners in their treatment. Diahanna became a Board-Certified Patient Advocate. She is currently the Financial Myeloma Coach for The Myeloma Crowd Foundation.

Understanding the Oncology Care Model

November 29, 2021

Some of you may have received a letter from your oncologist notifying you that your oncologist is participating in a program called the Oncology Care Model. It was sent out […]

Diahanna Vallentine

Diahanna Vallentine, BCPA, Financial Empowerment Lead

In 2002 Diahanna and her husband received the news that her husband had MGUS, a precursor to Multiple Myeloma. Upon her husband death in 2013, Diahanna immediately decided to make it her mission to help patients and caregivers empower themselves to speak up and to position themselves as partners in their treatment. Diahanna became a Board-Certified Patient Advocate. She is currently the Financial Myeloma Coach for The Myeloma Crowd Foundation.

About Diahanna Vallentine

Entries by Diahanna Vallentine

Questions to Ask Your Healthcare Team

Asking for Financial Assistance Opportunities

Managing Financial Stress in an Uncertain Politically Charged Environment

Understanding Clinical Trials and Associated Cost and Mitigating Financial Stress

Estate Planning: Secure Your Future, Protect Your Legacy

Changes to Medicare Part D in 2024 and 2025

Negotiating Debt, Managing Your Finances and Gaining Financial Security

Hospital Charity Programs: What You Need to Know

Medical Bills Collections, and Your Credit Score and Upcoming Changes

Self-Education Is the Basis of Better Health Outcomes, Physically, Mentally, and Financially

How Medical Financial Hardship Can Affect Your Health

Is Inflation Adding to Your Financial Burden?

Medicare Doesn’t Cover Free At-Home Covid Tests, But You Still Have Other Options to Attain Free Ones

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