Health Care Services in the 1990s: A Consumer's Guide »

SANDRA J. GUERRA is the Clayton Foundation Administrator at the Salk Institute for Biological Studies, La Jolla, California.

How do you go about choosing between health insurance plans . . . selecting a hospital. . .choosing a doctor? These are just some of the difficult decisions certain to have a profound impact on your physical, emotional, and financial well-being for years to come. This comprehensive guide shows you how to make knowledgeable choices--how to get everything you require from our nation's $600 billion a year health care system. Health Care Services in the 1990s provides life-or-death information about ambulatory care, long-term care, and mental health services. Learn about the changing roles of physicians and dentists. . .insurance vs. pre-paid plans. . .how hospitals and physicians get current addresses, contact information, and toll-free telephone numbers of agencies capable of anwersing questions about specific needs and situations. health care system, and proceeds with the active role of the consumer as a partner in the system, protecting and promoting one's own health. The book also describes ways in which the system's resources can be most advantageous when the consumer is not in bad health. The book progresses with a detailed exploration of the major components of the system, and analyzes functions such as ambulatory care, the choice of a hospital and its services, long term care, the nursing home, and mental health services. The major providers of care (the physicians, dentists, and other relevant providers) and how to work with them are discussed. Consumer approaches to health insurance, governmental health care programs, and financial considerations are also addressed. The quality of health care from the consumer viewpoint and protection of consumer rights inherent in the systemis another aspect covered in this valuable book. Alternatives to the traditional health care system are also provided.

Preface

Your Role in Health Care

Being Informed: Understanding the System

Taking Charge: Promoting Your Own Health

Be the Best that You Can

Protecting Your Life: Where Care Is Given

Ambulatory Care: Backbone of the System

The Hospital: Big Risks, Big Rewards

Long-Term Care: Many Choices, Many Opportunities; Mental Health: A Real Challenge

The Powers That Be: Who Gives Care?

Your Physician: A Key Player

Dentists: Real Success, Fading Future

The Supporting Cast: Other Important Providers

Paying The Bill: Health Insurance

Health Insurance: What It Is, How It Works; Managed Care: Lower Cost, More Restrictions

Paying The Bill: Governmental Programs

Medicare: A Partial Help

The Uninsured and Underinsured: Squeezed and in Trouble

Financing and Reimbursement: Who Gets Paid And How

National Health Expenditures

Payments to Professionals and Institutions

The Quality of Care

Measuring and Assuring the Quality of Care

Your Rights as a Consumer

Alternatives To Traditional Medicine

New Approaches To Special Situations

Bypassing Traditional Resources

Epilogue

Appendix A: Sources of Information

Appendix B: Toll-Free Numbers

Appendix C: State Medical Boards, Medicare Carriers, and PROS

Index