Nicky Wik, BCPA, CYT
My Path to Patient Advocacy
My entire adult life, I’ve worked in the administrative side of the healthcare field. Doing every job in the clinical office from transcription to billing to insurance to managing an office to marketing, I’ve achieved a complete understanding of the business side of the healthcare industry.
This experience also has affected my personal life. My father was diagnosed with a chronic heart condition when I was an early teen, and our family supported him through his many hospital visits and doctor appointments. When I married a man who is a type II diabetic, I learned everything I could about the disease to help him be as healthy as possible.
I’ve spent countless hours deciphering changing prescription coverages, translating insurance company explanation of benefits statements, ensuring labs and diagnostic tests were read and sent to the correct people, and talking with insurance providers and physicians’ offices for the two most important men in my life.
When my loved ones were hospitalized, I was always examining their discharge instructions, prescription medications and post-hospital doctor visits. Long before becoming a professional patient advocate, I was initiating meetings with physicians and charge nurses at the hospital to ensure timely discharges for my father’s many hospital stays.
Becoming A Board Certified Patient Advocate (BCPA)
Patient advocacy is the natural next step in a lifetime of experience and education based on serving others in the healthcare field. Early in my career, I graduated from Nebraska College of Business in Medical Office Administration. In September 2020, I obtained the BCPA (Board Certified Patient Advocate) certification. Early in 2021, I became certified through the State of Nebraska as an ombudsman in which I advocate for the residents’ rights at skilled nursing and assisted living facilities.
What does BCPA mean?
BCPA is a credential earned by those who have studied and passed the official certification exam to determine their abilities and fitness for serving patients and their families who need assistance with some portion of their journey through the healthcare system.
– “What does BCPA mean?” Patient Advocate Certification Board, https://www.pacboard.org/what-does-bcpa-mean/
I Will Advocate For You and Your Family
I thoroughly enjoy working with patients and their family members. I will advocate for you and your family while helping to navigate the complex healthcare system by providing individualized tools and resources.
When I’m not working, I love to spend time with my husband, our two boys, and our golden retriever. You can find us outside camping, fishing, golfing, hiking and snow skiing. I am an avid runner and certified yoga instructor.
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