Resources

AARP - An advocacy organization comprising 35 million members. AARP focuses on issues affecting men and women aged 50 and older. Go to www.aarp.org to find many publications and other resources on health topics, including Medicare and other health insurance. Contact AARP by phone at 1-888-687-2277, or write to AARP, 601 E Street, N.W., Washington, DC 20049.

Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) - An agency of the Federal Government. Go to the Agency';s Web site at www.ahrq.gov to find more information and tools to help you evaluate health plans, as well as many consumer publications on various health topics. Most of the consumer materials are available in English and Spanish. Call the AHRQ Clearinghouse at 1-800-358-9295 to order free copies of publications.

America's Health Insurance Plans (AHIP) - A national association that represents health insurance plans providing medical, long-term care, disability income, dental, supplemental, stop-loss, and reinsurance to more than 200 million Americans. Go to www.ahip.org and select "Consumer Information," where you can access many consumer guides on health insurance and link directly to companies that provide health insurance coverage. Or, contact AHIP by phone at 1-202-778-3200, or write to AHIP, 601 Pennsylvania Avenue, N.W., Washington, DC 20004.

Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations (JCAHO) - Evaluates and accredits health care organizations and programs, including hospitals, long-term care facilities, and other health care facilities, as well as health plans, managed care entities, and other insurers. Go to the JCAHO Web site at www.jointcommission.org, call them at 630-792-5000, or write to JCAHO, One Renaissance Boulevard, Oakbrook Terrace, IL 60181.

Medicaid - General information about the Medicaid program is available online at www.cms.hhs.gov/MedicaidGenInfo/. Medicaid is a State administered program; eligibility and covered services vary from State to State. For information specific to the Medicaid program in your State, contact your State Insurance Commissioner; check out the blue pages of your local phone book for contact information.

Medicare - Go to the Medicare Web site at www.medicare.gov where you can search by category, keyword, or phrases to find information about Medicare. Telephone help is also available; you may call 1-800-MEDICARE 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Assistance is available in English or Spanish. You will be able to get general information about Medicare, view Medicare booklets, and find out about plans that are ava ilable in your area.

National Committee for Quality Assurance - A group that develops quality standards, performance measures, and recognition programs for organizations and individuals, including health plans, medical groups, physician networks, and individual physicians. Visit their Web site at www.ncqa.org or call 202-955-3500.

Utilization Review Accreditation Commission - A group that accredits PPOs and other managed care networks. Visit their Web site at www.urac.org, call 202-216-9010, or write them at URAC, 1220 L Street, N.W., Washington, DC 20005.

Source: U.S. Department of Health & Human Services