The American Health Care System is pushing the American consumer right over the edge. While we have excellent medical professionals, the a systema itself is incredibly complicated, disjointed and confusing. And finding a way to somehow pay for it, even with insurance, has become a national disgrace. So who can we trust to manage this mess for us? Certainly we expect physicians to diagnose, recommend and treat, but they cannot be with you every step of the way as you go from one health care provider to another on your journey to get well. And no one else has the time or knowledge to do it for you. Ita s time for a reality check. The only person who can ensure you get the best possible medical care, and do it right, is you You have to manage the care and treatment you or your loved one receives just to make sure things get done, let alone done well. Take Charge of Your Medical Care provides a detailed and comprehensive strategy on how to accomplish this. You learn how to effectively manage each encounter with health care providers. You select the right doctor, hospital or nursing home and are taught exactly how to talk to health care professionals to resolve medical problems. You learn how to organize complex information, what to document and how to maintain a computerized personal health file. You are instructed about all of your numerous rights and how to assert these at critical junctures to get what the patient needs. You are a manager who ensures everything goes right. When it does not, this book tells you exactly how to complain and apply pressure to prevent things from getting worse. The manager is then guided through the doctora s office appointment, diagnostic procedures, the hospital stay, the long-term care stay, hospice care, and the return home. You become proficient at taking charge of every situation so the patient gets the best possible medical care."