Links to Sources of Healthcare Information

American Association of Health Plans (AAHP) www.aahp.org For information about how to choose a health plan, straight talk about health plans and fact sheets.

American Medical Association www.ama-assn.org

Center for Drug Evaluation and Research (CDER) http://www.fda.gov/cder/drug/default.htm A division of the Food and Drug Administration that promotes and protects the health of Americans by assuring that all prescription and over-the-counter drugs are safe and effective. CDER evaluates all new drugs before they are sold, and serves as a consumer watchdog for the more than 10,000 drugs on the market to be sure they continue to meet the highest standards.

Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) - formerly known as the Health Care Financing Administration www.hcfa.gov The official U.S. Government site for information about Medicare, Medicaid and the State Children's Health Insurance Program (SHIP).

Department of Health and Human Services www.hhs.gov The Department of Health and Human Services is the United States government's principal agency for protecting the health of all Americans and providing essential human services, especially for those who are least able to help themselves. This official U.S. government site has information, reports, news articles, and cover stories about the health insurance industry.

ColoradoHEALTHonline www.coloradohealthonline.com The Colorado Business Group on Health (CBGH) is a non-profit coalition representing large purchasers of health care services. The CBGS coloradoHEALTHonline helps you to choose health plans and offers a Health Matters Report Card and Colorado Health Care Directories.

FDA - Office of Women's Health (OWH) www.fda.gov/womens The OWH funds research and education/outreach pressing women's health issues. Since its creation in 1994, OWH has established itself as an effective voice for women's health concerns.

healthfinder www.healthfinder.gov heathfinder® is a free guide to reliable consumer health and human services information, developed by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. heathfinder® can lead you to selected online publications, clearinghouses, databases, Web sites, and support and self-help groups, as well as government agencies and not-for-profit organizations that produce reliable information for the public.

Health Information Action Group (HIAG) www.hiag.org For information about health plans in Southeast Michigan.

Health Insurance Association of America - Consumer Information Index www.hiaa.org/cons/cons.htm The Health Insurance Association of America (HIAA) is a trade association representing the private health care system. This web site offers guides on dental expense insurance, health insurance, long term care and others.

Maryland Health Care Commission www.mhcc.state.md.us/hmo/_hmo.htm For information on Maryland Health plans including HMO Quality and Performance reports, a Nursing Home Performance Evaluation Guide, and a Legislative and Special Reports section.

Medicare www.medicare.gov The Official U.S. Government site for Medicare Information. You'll find:

• information on coverage, joining, your Medicare card, and address changes
• information to help you choose a nursing home
• publications you can view, order and download
• helpful contacts

Medicare Health Plan Compare http://www.medicare.gov/mphCompare/home.asp This site helps you get detailed information on Medicare's health plan options.

MEDLINEplus www.medlineplus.gov MEDLINEplus is a web-based database designed to assist you in locating authoritative health information. This service provides access to extensive information about specific diseases and conditions and also has links to consumer health information from the National Institutes of Health, dictionaries, and lists of hospitals and physicians. You'll find health information in Spanish and other languages.

National Library of Medicine www.nlm.nih.gov The National Library of Medicine, on the campus of the National Institutes of Health in Bethesda, Maryland, is the world's largest medical library. The Library collects materials in all areas of Biomedicine and health care.

NJ Department of Health and Senior Services www.state.nj.us/health For information about health plans and insurance in New Jersey, including HMO Performance Reports and Consumer Report Cards.

Organ Donation www.organdonor.gov This site provides information and resources on organ donation and transplantation issues.

PBGH California Consumer Health Scope www.healthscope.org The Pacific Business Group on Health (PBGH) is an independent, non-profit coalition of 33 public and private sector purchasers of health care. Located in California, PBGH works to improve the quality of health care and to moderate rising health care costs. The PBGH California Health Scope can help you to select the best quality health plans, hospitals, and medical groups.

ReutersHealth Information www.reutershealth.com Medical News and Health Information for the consumer, the health industry and for the professional.

U.S. Consumer Gateway: Health www.consumer.gov/health.htm A 'one-stop link' to a broad range of federal information resources available online.