The following are links to useful internet resources for consumers seeking information on the healthcare delivery system, healthcare privacy, health promotion, and disease prevention.
The
Academy of General Dentistry (AGD) is an organization of general dentists dedicated to continuing education and reliable consumer information. Founded in 1952, the AGD has grown to become the world's second largest dental association. The AGD offers public resources available at:
http://www.knowyourteeth.com/
Advocacy for Patients with Chronic Illness, Inc. was founded in March of 2005. It offers a website, blog, and e-newsletter where patients can get free information, advice and advocacy services about living with chronic illness. It also offers assistance in
appealing denials for out-of-network claims.
The
Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality has the latest evidence-based information for improving health. This site also includes videos, podcasts, and helpful guides and summaries for consumers.
The
American Dental Association (ADA) is considered to be the leading sources of oral health related information for dentists and their patients. Founded in 1859, the ADA is the oldest and largest national dental society in the world. Learn more about the ADA’s mission and vision, and their commitment to the public’s oral health, ethics, science and professional advancement and access to care for all Americans. The ADA offers public resources available at:
http://www.ada.org/public.aspx
The
Center on Medical Record Rights and Privacy is based at Georgetown University's Health Policy Institute, a non-partisan multi-disciplinary group of faculty and staff dedicated to conducting research on key issues in health policy and health services research. The Center is dedicated to raising public awareness of the rights and responsibilities associated with medical records and other health information.
The
Community Service Society of New York (CSS) supports low income New Yorkers in their quest to be full participants in the civic life of the nation’s largest city. Its MCCAP program is designed to educate and assist people with obtaining affordable health insurance, using managed care plans to access needed care, understanding their rights as consumers in managed care, and resolving problems with their health insurances.
The
Consortium for Citizens with Disabilities (CCD) is a Coalition of national consumer, advocacy, provider and professional organizations headquartered in Washington, D.C. Since 1973, the CCD has advocated on behalf of people of all ages with physical and mental disabilities and their families. CCD has worked to achieve federal legislation and regulations that assure that the 54 million children and adults with disabilities are fully integrated into the mainstream of society.
Families USA is a national nonprofit, non-partisan organization dedicated to the achievement of high-quality, affordable health care for all Americans. Working at the national, state, and community levels, Families USA has earned a national reputation as an effective voice for health care consumers for 25 years.
Healthcare.gov is a Federal government website that provides in-depth information on finding health insurance options, understanding the new Health Reform Law and comparing care quality, in addition to other health-related topics.
Healthfinder is a government-developed website offering information and tools on health promotion and disease prevention for consumers. It includes user-friendly guides on healthy living, getting fit, and staying active.
Health Reform GPS is a joint project of the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation and the George Washington University School of Public Health and Health Services. The website not only offers substantial information that explains the many components of the Health Reform Law, but also provides continuous background information and commentary on the processes of turning the law into real change.
Health Care For All New York (HCFANY) is a statewide coalition of over 100 different advocacy groups whose goal is to win affordable, comprehensive, and high quality health care for all. HCFANY is organized around a set of 10 Standards for quality affordable care which all member organizations commit to promoting in the health reform arena.
The
Maximus Federal Services, Inc. develops easy-to-read print materials and easy-to-use websites so that governments and public health services organizations can communicate effectively with their consumers.
The
National Committee for Quality Assurance (NCQA) has been a central figure in driving improvement throughout the healthcare system, helping to elevate the issue of healthcare quality to the top of the national agenda. NCQA has helped to build consensus around important healthcare quality issues by working with large employers, policymakers, doctors, patients and health plans to decide what’s important, how to measure it, and how to promote improvement.
NYC’s Health Insurance Link is a website that assists individuals and small businesses in New York City find affordable health insurance options that meet their specific needs and budgets on an unbiased basis. The site shows a wide range of options from every NYC insurance carrier, the state-subsidized Healthy NY options and plans offered by NYC purchasing alliances and associations. NYC Health Insurance Link also contains comprehensive educational information on health insurance basics as well as the new Affordable Care Act.
New York State Attorney General’s Healthcare Hotline advances the Attorney General’s goals of accuracy, transparency and oversight in the healthcare industry. If you have a complaint about your healthcare, you can contact the Attorney General’s office either online or through the Healthcare Hotline: 1-800-428-9071.
NYS Dept. of Insurance Health Insurance Resource Center is designed to help consumers make informed decisions when purchasing health insurance for themselves and their families. The center provides basic information on various types of health insurance plans available, and up- to- date information to evaluate and compare various health insurance options and companies. It also includes links to other websites that provide relevant information to help consumers make informed and reasoned decisions.
Office of the Governor - Health Reform in New York State this website includes descriptions of Federal Healthcare Reform, how it will benefit New Yorkers, and the progress of implementation in the State. The website also includes information on how residents can obtain health insurance coverage and the public programs already in place in the State, including timelines that describe when specific provisions of healthcare reform go into effect.
SmartMedSavings.com was created by Dr. Stephen Meyers, a practicing family physician in North Carolina. SmartMedSavings.com is meant to provide information that helps consumers reduce and manage healthcare expenses.
State Consumer Assistance Programs, in cooperation with the federal Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), offer guidance to residents of their states who need assistance with health insurance issues. HHS also provides state-specific resources for those who may be eligible for a number of public programs.
The
US Department of Labor has compiled a list of resources for consumers seeking assistance with health plan denials, appeals, or other coverage-related issues. These resources appear at the bottom of the page; scroll all the way down to the red table.
The
World Privacy Forum is a nonprofit, non-partisan, 501(c)(3), public interest research group. The group focuses its work on privacy, and health privacy is one of its core areas of work. The above link is to a useful, consumer-friendly guide to the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA).