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?

US 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