Reference Websites
These are excellent websites. The valuable information they provide are not substitutions for professional evaluation or advice.
Health Insurance Plans & Hospitals
The Quality of Your Health Insurance Plan Quality Matters!
www.ncqa.org – Find out if your health plan is accredited by the National Committee For Quality Assurance
www.usnews.com/healthplans – By US News and World Report
www.consumerreports.org – By Consumer Reports
www.leapfroggroup.org – Check out your hospital’s performance on several important areas
You’re on Your Own and Without Insurance
www.dol.gov/ebsa/faqs – Learn more about COBRA, which allows participation in group coverage up to 36 months
www.ehealthinsurance.com – Search for health insurance
Your Internet Doctor
When Should You See Your Doctor?
www.familydoctor.org – Look for "Search by Symptom" and see if home treatment or a seeing a doctor is recommended.
www.merck.com/mmhe – Research various symptoms and ailments in the Merck Manual Home Edition Reference Book
Research
www.medlineplus.gov – information on various health topics, drugs, herbals, as well an informational video and encyclopedia.
www.cancer.gov – from the National Cancer Institute.
www.plwc.org – Information for patients living with cancer from the American Society of Clinical Oncologists – People Living with Cancer.
What Screening Tests Should Be Done?
U. S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF)
epss.ahrq.gov – Use the electronic preventive services selector to find what screening tests you must have done at the minimum. The other following organizations may recommend additional tests.
Cancer Screening
www.cancer.org – American Cancer Society (ACS)
Breast Cancer Screening
www.komen.org/bse – Learn how to do a breast self exam
www.cancer.gov/bcrisktool – Determine your risk for breast cancer. Be sure to share the results with your doctor, regardless of the number.
Testicular Cancer
www.fda.gov/fdac – Learn how to do a testicular self exam (search for testicular self-exam)
Heart Disease
www.americanheart.org – American Heart Association (AHA)
High Cholesterol
www.nhlbi.nih.gov/guidelines/cholesterol – Determine your risk of having a heart attack over the next 10 years. Be sure to share the results with your doctor, regardless of the number. (Test does not apply for those with diabetes or heart disease).
Diabetes
www.diabetes.org – American Diabetes Association (ADA)
What Vaccinations Do I Need?
Immunizations and Vaccinations
www.cdc.gov/vaccines – Find out which vaccines you need
Maintain a Healthy Weight
www.cdc.gov – Determine your body mass index and figure out if you are at healthy weight. Search for "BMI"
hp2010.nhlbihin.net/portion – An entertaining quiz on how food portions have increased over the past twenty years. Informative and shocking.
www.nhlbi.nih.gov/about/oei – The Obesity Educational Initiative from the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute of the National Institutes of Health. Some ideas on how to get healthy.
What Else Can I Do To Stay Well?
Protect Yourself – Purchase a Safe Car
www.iihs.org – The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety
Your Medical Team
www.abms.org – Find out if your doctor is board-certified.
www.fsmb.org – Verify your doctor’s medical license and learn other publicly disclosed information.
The Truth About Medications
Generic and Branded Medications: What’s the Difference?
www.crbestbuydrugs.org – Excellent resource by Consumer Reports on which medications provide the most value and are effective.
www.fda.gov/cder/ogd – Information about generic drugs by the FDA.
Making Sense of Over-the-Counter (OTC) Medications
www.fda.gov/cder/audiences – Information about over-the-counter medications by the FDA.
www.medlineplus.gov – Information on various health topics, drugs, herbals, as well an informational video and encyclopedia.
Paying for Prescription Medications if You Don’t Have Coverage
www.togetherrxaccess.com – A group of pharmaceutical companies offering discounted prescription medications
Caveat Emptor, Or “Let the Buyer Beware”
Herbal and Dietary Supplements
www.naturalstandard.com – Searchable database on the effectiveness and safety of herbals and dietary supplements.
www.consumerreportsmedicalguide.org – From Consumer Reports
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