An award-winning New York Times reporter reveals expensive dysfunctions in America's healthcare system, outlining practical guidelines for recognizing misleading information and obtaining the care and pharmaceuticals needed to safeguard family health interests. --Publisher.

Includes index.

History of the present illness and review of systems. The age of insurance -- The age of hospitals -- The age of physicians -- The age of pharmaceuticals -- The age of medical devices -- The age of testing and ancillary services -- The age of contractors: billing, coding, collections, and new medical businesses -- The age of research and good works for profit: the perversion of a noble enterprise -- The age of conglomerates -- The age of healthcare as pure business -- The age of the Affordable Care Act (ACA) -- Diagnosis and treatment: prescriptions for taking back our healthcare. The high price of patient complacency -- Doctors' bills -- Hospital bills -- Insurance costs -- Drug and medical device costs -- Bills for tests and ancillary services -- Better healthcare in a digital age.