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When searching for a doctor, dentist or other health care professional:
Find out whether they are licensed in your state. A state or local occupational and professional licensing board will be able to give you this information.
Research whether they are board-certified in the appropriate specialty. You can find this information on the sites of the AMA (www.ama-assn.org) and American Board of Medical Specialties (www.abms.org).
Ask how often they have done the procedure you need and their success rate. You may be able to find some of this information on the Internet. For example, the Center for Disease Control reports the success rates and number of procedures performed by fertility clinics at www.cdc.gov. Some states collect and post data on the success of heart-bypass surgery.
Check whether there have been any complaints or disciplinary actions www.healthcarechoices.org. There are also pay-for-use sites with taken. Websites that can help are www.docboard.org and similar information including QuestionableDoctors.org, www.Docinfo.org, and www.checkbook.org, Visit www.healthfinder.gov for more advice on identifying providers.
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Report cards are starting to appear on the Internet to help you compare health care facilities. Three private web sites that rate hospitals based on information collected from Medicare records and other sources are www.usnews.com, www.checkbook.org, and www.healthgrades.com.
The Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations accredits hospitals as well as nursing homes and other health care organizations. Specially trained investigators assess whether these organizations meet set standards. At www.jcaho.org, you can check on a local facility, including how it compares with others. JCAHO also accepts consumer complaints. You can post a complaint on its website or call 1-800-994-6610.
If you are looking for a nursing home or other assisted living facility, these additional organizations can help.
Nursing Home Compare operated by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services will help you compare the facilities in many states. Go to www.medicare.gov/nhcompare/home.asp.
Eldercare Locator (www.eldercare.gov)--another service of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services—provides information and referral services for those seeking local and state support resources for the elderly. Call toll free: 1-800-677-1116. Be prepared with a county and city or ZIP code where the assistance is sought.
The American Association of Homes and Services for the Aging (www.aahsa.org) is a trade group that represents many nonprofit facilities. Phone: 202-783-2242.
The Assisted Living Federation of America (www.alfa.org) represents both for-profit and non-profit assisted-living facilities. Phone: 703-691-8100.
The Continuing Care Accreditation Commission (www.ccaconline.org) gives its seal of approval to qualifying facilities.
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Pharmacies may charge widely different prices for the same medicine so it is a good idea to comparison shop
Ask your physician and pharmacist if a generic drug may be appropriate. Generics usually cost less than brand name drugs.
Consider using a mail-order or on-line pharmacy, especially if you will be taking a drug for a long time. The prices charged are often lower.
An increasing number of consumers are replacing a trip to the pharmacy with a trip on the Internet. While there are online pharmacies that provide legitimate prescription services, there are also some questionable sites that make buying medicines online risky. Do business only with a licensed U.S. pharmacy. Check with the National Association of Boards of Pharmacy to determine if the site is licensed and in good standing. Visit www.nabp.net or call 847-698-6227.
An online pharmacy should offer you access to a registered pharmacist who can answer any questions you might have about drug interactions, side affects, etc. Be wary of sites that:
Sell drugs without a prescription
Sell drugs not approved by the FDA
Advertise quick cures
Tell stories of "amazing results".
If you suspect a site is not a licensed pharmacy, report it and any complaints to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration at www.fda.gov/oc/buyonline/buyonlineform.htm.
Want to know the side effects of a particular medication? Curious whether a drug has been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration? Another FDA web page brings together information on approved prescription drugs, some over-the-counter drugs, and discontinued drugs. Visit Drugs@FDA (www.accessdata.fda.gov/scripts/cder/drugsatfda).
MEDICARE Prescription Discount card: If you are a Medicare recipient, you may be eligible for a discount card that will help you save money on your prescription drug costs. The size of the discount varies by drug and card. Fees for the cards also vary but can be no higher than $30. If you have a low income, you might be eligible for a special credit of $600, and you will not have to pay for the card. For more information visit Medicare.gov or call toll-free 1-800-MEDICARE
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