Surviving Healthcare [Paperback]

Pamela Armstrong (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: May 2004

Written by an industry insider, Surviving Healthcare tells consumers how to get the best healthcare. Consumers trust their usual medical sources to give high quality care, but amazingly this happens only about 50% of the time, based on solid research. The book gives advice about how to work with your doctor, choose a doctor/hospital/health plan and how to avoid needing care.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"Surviving Healthcare contains practical tips and suggestions to help consumers protect themselves in today's healthcare system...." -- John Rother, Director, Policy and Strategy, AARP, September 9, 2004

"Surviving Healthcare does more than just examine our present system...It provides a blueprint for action..." -- Mark L. Friedman, MD, FACEP, FACP, Assistant Clinical Professor of Emergency Medicine, University of Illinois at Chicago, June, 2004

"This is an important book....I hope this book gets wide circulation. It has much to offer." -- Stephen M. Shortell, PhD, Dean, School of Public Health, University of California, Berkeley, July, 2004

About the Author

During her 25 years as a professional in the healthcare and health insurance fields Pam Armstrong has amassed prodigious amounts of information and experience with doctors, hospitals, insurance carriers and healthcare consumers.

Pam has studied in Europe and the US, and during her college and post-graduate years interned in state and federal government health agencies as well as in the Carter White House. In short, she's pretty much seen it all when it comes to the healthcare system, and examined it from every angle.

Pam is vivacious and intensely passionate about a topic that has become crucial to a growing number of people nationwide, young, old and in-between. She turns facts and figures into fascinating presentations on an important subject.

She holds a Masters degree in Public Health from UC Berkeley and an MBA from the University of Chicago. Pam lives with her husband in Mendocino County, California, and in San Francisco.

Product Details

• Paperback: 320 pages
• Publisher: Chestnut Ridge Books (May 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0975456059
• ISBN-13: 978-0975456057
• Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 6 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #331,474 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars From a parent who learned the hard way, January 2, 2005

By 

Jeanette Fisher "America's 'Dream Home' Maker" (Southern California) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Surviving Healthcare (Paperback)

Your family's health depends on your choice of doctor, practice, and health insurance. Medical errors kill more Americans than breast cancer, auto accidents, or AIDS. Poor care and mistakes leaves many with debilitating disabilities that could have been avoided.
Don't wait until you need this book. Your family's health is too important!

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Interesting book everyone should read, December 2, 2004

By 

B. Portier "Just me" (SF, CA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Surviving Healthcare (Paperback)

This book is full of information everyone needs, a lot of info you don't even know you need until you read the book. I find myself constantly referring to the book. If you get just one helpful piece of information (there are tons) out of this book it is worth it and it could save your life. The book was given to me and I am grateful.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A must-have for every American, April 12, 2005

By 

Midwest Book Review (Oregon, WI USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Surviving Healthcare (Paperback)

Surviving Healthcare is a no-nonsense guide to dealing with financial, medical, and personal quandaries in the complex and confusing modern healthcare system. Author Pam Armstrong has been professionally involved with the U.S. healthcare system since 1978; her passion, insight, and experience allow her to make keen-edged observations about what constitutes medical quality, the pros and cons of chosing various plans such as HMOs, PPOs, EPOs, Indemnity Plans and more, where to find additional resources to make hard choices, and common myths that can mislead one when selecting between doctors and health plans, all of which are not created equal. A must-have for every American, but especially for those who need to balance medical costs and quality on a tight budget.