In November 2000, Kevin Groner and Matthew Miano sat at a restaurant in Annapolis, Maryland, discussing ways that they could truly make a difference for the uninsured and underinsured. Armed only with the motto, “every advocate should help at least one patient per day”, these two pioneers in healthcare teamed up and created Advanced Patient Advocacy. Faced with the challenge of redefining the eligibility services industry, they implemented a process for assisting patients centered on the concept of advocacy.

Now on a mission, Kevin and Matthew set out looking for a hospital willing to refer them patients to help. HCA John Randolph Medical Center in Hopewell, Virginia, gave them their first break. The hospital already employed a company which performed eligibility services. However, after finding eligibility on 20% of the cases the incumbent firm had closed as “unserviceable,” Advanced Patient Advocacy won the contract and growth was immediate.

By November, 2001, Kevin and Matthew expanded the company’s reach to 14 facilities and maintained a staff of 23 Advocates. In September of that year a new partner, Michael Wilmoth, Esq., joined the executive management team. Mike’s contributions were integral in the development of the new web-based data management system “DARWIN”, revising corporate policies to align with federal standards for the rapidly enlarging group, and the grooming of the current corporate directors, Christa Smith, Amy McGaheran, Vicky Mondin, Eric Bazemore-Gardner, and Jack Pustilnik.

Each of the directors has contributed, with their own specialized skills, to their respective departments of Operations, Human Resources, Controller, Technology, and Marketing. Their leadership has helped build the solid foundation on which Advanced Patient Advocacy stands today, and has prepared us for continued growth , while deferring all credit for their successes to the frontline Eligibility Advocates, Team Managers, Regional Directors, Marketing Staff, and Support Teams of Data Entry and Mail Management.

Today, Advanced Patient Advocacy serves 62 client hospitals in 10 states and has helped more than 100,000 patients. On October 19, 2005, Inc. Magazine announced their 2005 list of the 500 fastest growing privately held companies in America. Proudly, Advanced Patient Advocacy made the list at number 166 overall, and number 15 in the healthcare industry.

Kevin, Matthew and Michael recognize that the real success story lies behind each and every Advocate who approach every new patient with the heart, passion and desire to make a difference in that person's life. It is this conviction which has made the company’s success and growth possible. By continuing to follow Kevin and Matthew’s original motto, and by approaching each patient with “the Heart of an Advocate”, everything else, especially the success of this company, will take care of itself. A special thanks goes out to each employee for helping to move an idea to a dream come true.