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How to Be a Badass in a Broken Healthcare System: Overlooked to Empowered: A Guide for Chronically Ill Patients Who Refuse to Settle
You’re sick, tired, and stuck navigating a healthcare system that feels impossible to crack. The referrals lead nowhere, wait times are endless, and you’re constantly dismissed by doctors who make you feel like it’s all in your head. Meanwhile, you’re battling insurance denials and pondering over lab results with the nagging feeling that you’re alone in this fight.
But you don’t have to face your battle alone!
Kristina Kelly, a board certified patient advocate, guides you through the chaos with sass, strategy, and a healthy dose of empathy. As a seasoned fighter in her own chronic illness journey, she knows exactly what it feels like to go undiagnosed, be misdiagnosed, and feel abandoned by the healthcare system. With an extended hand, she takes you through the floundering years and reveals how she made it to the other side despite multiple autoimmune and connective tissue diseases (and all their fun sidekicks).
Packed with practical applications, relatable stories, and a healthy dose of humor, this book offers a roadmap to help cut the time to diagnosis and treatment, reduce health anxiety, and reclaim your power.
This Book Reveals How
• Communicate like a Increase the chances that doctors will listen, take action, and respect your concerns.
• Reduce appointment Prep for every visit to stay focused, organized, and ready to ask the right questions.
• Master the Better navigate insurance challenges and understand your coverage.
• Own your health Track symptoms, organize records, and feel more confident managing your care.
• Find the "unicorn" Identify specialists who truly understand your condition and know when it’s time to say goodbye to the ones who don’t.
This isn’t just a book; it’s a call to arms for anyone ready to become their own best advocate in a messy healthcare system. Grab your highlighters, throw on your comfy pants, and let’s get to work!
Because when it comes to your health, championing your cause is non-negotiable.
But you don’t have to face your battle alone!
Kristina Kelly, a board certified patient advocate, guides you through the chaos with sass, strategy, and a healthy dose of empathy. As a seasoned fighter in her own chronic illness journey, she knows exactly what it feels like to go undiagnosed, be misdiagnosed, and feel abandoned by the healthcare system. With an extended hand, she takes you through the floundering years and reveals how she made it to the other side despite multiple autoimmune and connective tissue diseases (and all their fun sidekicks).
Packed with practical applications, relatable stories, and a healthy dose of humor, this book offers a roadmap to help cut the time to diagnosis and treatment, reduce health anxiety, and reclaim your power.
This Book Reveals How
• Communicate like a Increase the chances that doctors will listen, take action, and respect your concerns.
• Reduce appointment Prep for every visit to stay focused, organized, and ready to ask the right questions.
• Master the Better navigate insurance challenges and understand your coverage.
• Own your health Track symptoms, organize records, and feel more confident managing your care.
• Find the "unicorn" Identify specialists who truly understand your condition and know when it’s time to say goodbye to the ones who don’t.
This isn’t just a book; it’s a call to arms for anyone ready to become their own best advocate in a messy healthcare system. Grab your highlighters, throw on your comfy pants, and let’s get to work!
Because when it comes to your health, championing your cause is non-negotiable.
Kindle Edition
Published March 18, 2025
11 people are currently reading
15 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
March 18, 2025
As a Patient and Physician: This Book Gets It Right
My perspective on "Being a Badass in a Broken Healthcare System" is uniquely informed by my dual role as a patient with Sjögren's and dysautonomia, and as a physician. This book provides an incredibly accurate and empathetic depiction of the struggles faced by those with chronic, complex conditions. The author's voice, as a fellow patient and advocate, is both powerful and relatable. I found myself nodding in recognition throughout, as the book expertly captures the frustrations of diagnostic delays and the challenges of living with often-misunderstood illnesses. What truly sets this book apart is its ability to balance the raw realities of chronic illness with moments of hope and humor. The practical guidance is invaluable, and the emotional support is profound. This is an essential read for anyone navigating the complexities of chronic illness, and a powerful reminder of the strength and resilience of the patient community. It is without question a five star book.
My perspective on "Being a Badass in a Broken Healthcare System" is uniquely informed by my dual role as a patient with Sjögren's and dysautonomia, and as a physician. This book provides an incredibly accurate and empathetic depiction of the struggles faced by those with chronic, complex conditions. The author's voice, as a fellow patient and advocate, is both powerful and relatable. I found myself nodding in recognition throughout, as the book expertly captures the frustrations of diagnostic delays and the challenges of living with often-misunderstood illnesses. What truly sets this book apart is its ability to balance the raw realities of chronic illness with moments of hope and humor. The practical guidance is invaluable, and the emotional support is profound. This is an essential read for anyone navigating the complexities of chronic illness, and a powerful reminder of the strength and resilience of the patient community. It is without question a five star book.
April 4, 2025
I myself do not have a chronic illness, but I have friends and family who do - people who I have witnessed their journey and thought I had a good understanding of what they have gone (or currently going) through. This book has helped me understand their tribulations navigating the health care system and their illnesses on an entirely different level.
The information was delivered in the best way- easy to digest (unintended play on words given what the author shared about her own digestive system 😆) and actionable, all the while being funny and empowering. I myself feel better equipped when I have my own doctor’s appointments or need to speak with insurance.
It typically takes me a longer time to read the more informative type of books, but I read this in a day. I highly recommend this book to anyone who has a chronic illness, anyone who knows someone who has a chronic illness, or anyone who has been dismissed by a medical professional or insurance …so yeah, I basically recommend this book to everyone.
The information was delivered in the best way- easy to digest (unintended play on words given what the author shared about her own digestive system 😆) and actionable, all the while being funny and empowering. I myself feel better equipped when I have my own doctor’s appointments or need to speak with insurance.
It typically takes me a longer time to read the more informative type of books, but I read this in a day. I highly recommend this book to anyone who has a chronic illness, anyone who knows someone who has a chronic illness, or anyone who has been dismissed by a medical professional or insurance …so yeah, I basically recommend this book to everyone.
March 18, 2025
I was very fortunate to receive an ARC of this book, and as I finished it, I kept thinking to myself how very much I had read it over and over decade ago. As someone with a chronic illness whose answer didn’t come for 13 years, this book provides the toolkit and support that anyone who is on their journey to understand what’s going on with their body needs.
What I think is so key about this book is its message of hope. Even while the author’s journey is at times heartbreaking and discouraging, her determination to keep going, to advocate for herself, and to share her story and help others find solutions is truly inspiring. Additionally, while there is a lot of medical terminology/jargon in here, it’s very easy to follow and well-explained.
Being in the chronic illness club is a situation none of us ever want to be in. This book not only provides actionable steps to take care of oneself, but it provides a community resource that is badly needed.
What I think is so key about this book is its message of hope. Even while the author’s journey is at times heartbreaking and discouraging, her determination to keep going, to advocate for herself, and to share her story and help others find solutions is truly inspiring. Additionally, while there is a lot of medical terminology/jargon in here, it’s very easy to follow and well-explained.
Being in the chronic illness club is a situation none of us ever want to be in. This book not only provides actionable steps to take care of oneself, but it provides a community resource that is badly needed.
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews