Charles B. Inlander, a consumer advocate and health-care consultant based in Fogelsville, Pennsylvania. He was the founding president of the nonprofit People’s Medical Society, a consumer-advocacy organization credited with key improvements in the quality of US health care, and is the author or coauthor of more than 20 consumer-health books.
Hospital stays are getting shorter and shorter. Thirty years ago, the average stay was seven days. Today, it’s down to…
The COVID-19 pandemic has had a dramatic effect on the health-care system. Thousands of medical professionals, including doctors, nurses, therapists,…
The quality of a state’s health-care system doesn’t tell the whole story. Sometimes what matters is what is available close…
I’m not telling you anything you didn’t know when I recommend seeking medical second opinions. As studies point out, up…
Seeking Mental Health Services In addition to the tragic loss of life caused by COVID-19, the pandemic has taken an…
The longer you live, the more encounters you have with the health care system. After a while, you may forget…
Even before the COVID-19 pandemic, there was a growing shortage of doctors and nurses across America. The problem was particularly…
When the Affordable Care Act (ACA or “Obamacare”) was enacted in 2010, one of its major provisions was requiring hospitals…
Long-care insurance isn’t new, but there are recent developments everyone should know about whether you have this type of coverage or not. Read on…
Don’t assume that every test or procedure your doctor orders will be covered by your health insurance plan. Here’s when you need preauthorization…
Once we hit our 60s, 70s and beyond, our medical needs are often quite different from what they were when we were in middle age or early adulthood.
For caregivers who must take charge at a patient’s doctor appointment, the “rules” aren’t always clear. What you need to know…
Health care is vital for everyone, so it’s important to voice your concerns during this political season. Here are the best ways to be heard…
When you doctor says you have a health problem that your health or disability insurer insists isn’t “real,” it’s time to fight back. How to win…
Doctors can be good resources for referrals to medical specialists, but they are not always be objective. What to watch out for…
A trip abroad can be a vacation of a lifetime. But if you get sick or injured, the bills can be huge. Here’s the insurance that will protect you…
If you have a question for your doctor, are you sure that your phone call or email will get a response? Here’s how to ensure that you do hear back…
Until recently, the cost of hospital care was largely a mystery until you or your insurer got billed. Now, you can find out sooner. Here’s how…
When receiving medical care, you don’t expect to get a bill from a facility you didn't visit. But hospitals are doing just that. How to avoid paying…
Over your lifetime, you’ll get medical care from dozens of providers. Here’s how to keep track of all these important records…
