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Health Insurance Links

There are many types of health insurance out there that can best suit your needs

Alternative Health Benefit Services
117 Bernal Road #70-20
San Jose, CA 95119
Phone: 1-408-223-1787
Fax: 1-208-567-2507
Website: http://www.alternativeinsurance.com/
       "Alternative and complementary medical benefits are now available to businesses and individuals."
       This website is mainly geared toward Californians, although there is some useful general information. The links page is a lengthy and detailed list of alternative medicine websites. If you don't trust good old fashioned science and medicine, this may be the place for you. -JWP

American Medical Association
515 N. State Street
Chicago, IL 60610 
Phone: 1-800-621-8335
Website: http://www.ama-assn.org
       "From tobacco to adolescent health, from AIDS to Medicare, the American Medical Association speaks out on issues important to patients and the nation's health. AMA policy on such issues is decided through its democratic policy-making process."
      
Founded in 1847 the AMA is a highly reputable site for information, specifically regarding physicians and the physician-patient bond. This robust website is an excellent resource on a wide range of health care issues. Check out the "Contact Us" page of the site for several more in-depth topics such as Policy and Advocacy, Ethics, Science, and Public Health. -JWP

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Purchasing medical products can be confusing but there are people who can help make it clear and convenient

Consumer MedHelp, Inc
2473 Bay Area Blvd., PMB 128
Houston, TX 77058
Phone: 1-281-486-9258 or 1-800-556-7117 (toll free in the USA only)
Fax: 1-281-486- 9260
E-mail:
info@consumermedhelp.com
Website: http://www.consumermedhelp.com/
       "Products, publications, and services that help consumers become proactive in preserving and protecting their own health and in dealing with the 1990's health care system." Also publishes "products for people coping with kidney and heart disease."
       The Consumer Medhelp website offers many useful health products for good prices online. There is a quick order form. 
       This site contains all sorts of medical products and services, some common and some not-so-common. I would not recommend simply buying random items here, unless a doctor or specialist has indicated that there are no dangers of possibly worsening a pre-existing condition.
-JWP

Electronic Policy Network
2000 L Street NW, Suite 717
Washington DC, 20036
Phone: 1-202-776-0730
Fax: 1-
202-776-0740
E-mail: movingideas@movingideas.org   g
Website: http://www.movingideas.org/ 
       "...timely information and leading ideas about national policy and politics."
       The website has info on many different topics including health. There are also links to other related sites.  
       This is a progressive, left-wing website that covers a lot more than just health care. The information focuses on policy information and the liberal viewpoints involved. There is a good links page I found after searching for "health care" that includes dozens of excellent non-partisan and liberal resources.
-JWP

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When your are sick you should have the best doctor by your side

The HMO Page
E-mail:
comment@hmopage.org
Website: http://hmopage.org/
       News, information, and legislative updates on Health Management Organizations. Sponsored by Physicians Who Care.
       The HMO page is a text-based site that has a interesting humor section. There is also information regarding recent news about HMO activity.
       The website is somewhat confusing. There is no indication of what the site is for, how you should use it, or which links are better than others. Sponsored links pop up when a "search" is conducted so it is difficult to know the true objectivity of the website.
-JWP

Insurance News Network
8205 South Cass Avenue
Darien, IL 60561
Phone: 1-800-556-9393
Fax: 1-630-515-0276
E-mail:
custcare@insure.com
Website: http://www.insure.com/health/
       Provides "factual and unbiased consumer information about [health,] auto, home and life insurance, including insurance company ratings from Standard & Poor's."
       The Insurance News Network has a useful search feature on the homepage of this information-rich site.
       A useful and ultimately helpful site regarding all types of insurance. There are some well written and well researched articles on health insurance options and FAQs. Worth checking out for those interested in short-term health care options.
-JWP

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It isn't wise to do your research on health care till the last minute because you never know when you might need it

Kaiser Watch
Website:
http://www.igc.org/cna/kaiser/
       Provides information on the Kaiser Permanente Medical Care Program. A news archive that has information for patients and nurses.
       Info here is only of use to California nurses and patients associated with Kaiser. -JWP

Life-Line
2175 K Street, NW
Suite 250
Washington, DC 20037
Phone:
1-202-464-5000 Ex. 106
Fax: 1-202-464-5011
Email: info@lifefdn.org
Website:
http://www.life-line.org
       An educational site "designed to provide you with unbiased, straightforward information on life, health and disability insurance."
       The Life-Line website has information on life insurance, disability insurance and health insurance. There are also links to real life stories.
      
The main focus of the site is life insurance, but there is plenty of useful information on health insurance as well. There is a free, printable consumer guide for health insurance.
-JWP

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Medicare Insurance
Office of Public Inquiries
Windsor Park Building
6401 Security Blvd.
Baltimore, Maryland 21235
Phone:
1-800-772-1213, 1-800-325-0778 TTY
Website:
http://www.ssa.gov/pubs/10043.html
       A government-run program designed primarily to help those with low income and little or no resources.
      
Medicare information  from the Social Security Administration.
       The authoritative resource for all information on Medicare, prescription drugs, and Social Security. -JWP

Choosing an adequate health care plan for your family is important

National Committee for Quality Assurance
2000 L Street, NW Suite 500
Washington, DC 20036

Phone:
1-202-955-3500
Fax: 1-202-955-3500
E-mail: Webmaster@ncqa.org
Website: http://www.ncqa.org/
       "[Our] mission is to provide information that enables purchasers and consumers of managed health care to distinguish among plans based on quality, thereby allowing them to make more informed health care purchasing decisions."
       The NCQA website has a useful search feature on the homepage. There are also related links on the website. 
      
One of the best sites available, the NCQA is dedicated to improving managed health care throughout the nation. An excellent resource on current events and policy concerns. Rates doctors and hospitals.
-JWP

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United States Department of Health and Human Services
200 Independence Avenue, S.W.
Washington, D.C. 20201

Phone:
(877)-696-6775
Website: http://www.hhs.gov/
       "One of the largest federal agencies, this is the principal agency for protecting the health of all Americans. Comprising 12 operating divisions, HHS's responsibilities include public health, biomedical research, Medicare and Medicaid, welfare, social services, and more."
       The definitive website for information straight from the United States government. The information is useful and well-presented. The best resource available for how the government can assist your health care needs. -JWPHearts & Minds "Lightbulb" logo links to our home page

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Latest update by Joseph W. Pope (JWP)
This web page and entire website © Copyright: 1997 - 2007 by Hearts and Minds Network, Inc. All photos on this web page © by Microsoft Clip Art http://www.heartsandminds.org/health/links/healthinslinks.htm - latest text changes April 15, 2008

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