Helping patients and caregivers understand their options, ask the right questions, and take the next step with confidence can make a huge difference.

By Mike Cusack, Worldwide President, BD Urology & Critical Care

Throughout my career as a healthcare executive, I’ve seen how overwhelming it can be for patients and caregivers to navigate the healthcare system. Insurance requirements, documentation requests, coverage appeals and administrative hurdles are hard enough to manage under ideal circumstance, let alone when you’re managing a health condition that has you feeling far from 100%.

That’s why BD collaborated with patient advocate Ali Ingersoll, the Christopher & Dana Reeve Foundation, and United Spinal Association to introduce the CareKey™ Patient Advocacy Toolkit, a free educational resource designed to help patients and caregivers better understand and manage healthcare and insurance processes.

If you've ever felt overwhelmed by insurance paperwork, coverage denials, or questions about where to turn for help, I encourage you to explore the CareKey™ Patient Advocacy Toolkit at Your Own Best Advocate.

Helping Patients Turn Confusion into Confidence

The toolkit is designed to support that journey with practical guidance on insurance benefits, medical coding, coverage denials, appeals, provider and supplier conversations, and documentation such as letters of medical necessity.

Most importantly, it aims to help people approach these processes with greater clarity, confidence and support.

What We Learned from Patients and Experts

Recently, BD partnered with the Christopher & Dana Reeve Foundation and United Spinal Association to host a webinar focused on patient advocacy and navigating healthcare coverage.

One message stood out clearly: advocacy begins with understanding.

As patient advocate and health equity champion Ali Ingersoll shared: "Advocacy often begins with simply understanding the process; it starts with one question, one step, and asking better questions. The CareKey™ Patient Advocacy Toolkit was developed by listening to the needs within our community, and I encourage people to explore it."

The discussion reinforced that knowledge builds confidence, documentation matters, and patients do not have to navigate healthcare challenges alone. Clear information, healthcare providers, advocacy groups and peer communities can make a meaningful difference when people are seeking the care and supplies they need.

A Resource Built Through Collaboration

The CareKey™ Patient Advocacy Toolkit reflects the contributions of patients, caregivers, healthcare professionals and advocacy organizations who understand these challenges firsthand.

As Maggie Goldberg, CEO of the Christopher & Dana Reeve Foundation, explained: "We’re proud to partner with BD on the CareKey™ Patient Advocacy Toolkit, a resource designed to support patients and communities as they navigate their care. Everyone deserves access to a more supportive and accessible healthcare experience."

Matt Castelluccio, CEO of United Spinal Association, echoed that focus: "This resource helps individuals and families better understand their rights, navigate care, and advocate for what they need. Together, we’re working to make it easier for people to access essential support and live more independently."

Their partnership and expertise helped create a resource grounded in real patient and caregiver experiences.

At BD, we believe improving healthcare extends beyond advancing technology. It also means helping people navigate the real-world challenges that can stand between them and the care they need.

We can't eliminate every obstacle, but we can help make the path forward clearer. That's the purpose behind the CareKey™ Patient Advocacy Toolkit, and we hope it helps patients and caregivers feel more informed, more confident, and better prepared to advocate for themselves and their loved ones.

Visit Your Own Best Advocate to explore the CareKey™ Toolkit and watch the webinar here.