| National
Resources |
|
A Consumer
Guide for Getting and Keeping Health
Insurance
The Georgetown University Health
Policy Institute has written A CONSUMER GUIDE FOR GETTING AND
KEEPING HEALTH INSURANCE for each state and the District of
Columbia – fifty-one in all. These Consumer Guides are
available at www.healthinsuranceinfo.net
and will be updated periodically as changes in federal and state
policy warrant.
NCQA's HealthChoices Health Plan
Ratings
To get to the ratings of all health care
plans in your state click on the star icon, "See How Your Health
Plan Rates". This site provides ratings of insurers across all 50
states in categories such as Access to Care and Quality of
Care.
Consumer Information on Health
Plans
The Department of Labor's Employee Benefits
Security Administration (EBSA) provides this Web page dedicated
to consumer information on health plans to provide health plan
participants and their beneficiaries with information on their
rights under the federal health benefits law with respect to
their job-based plans. The information ranges from general
information on the law to numerous specific issues. Great
resource!
Checkup on Health Insurance Choices
The information presented here will help
you choose a health insurance plan that is right for you. Married
or single, children or no children, this information will help
you to find out how to choose a plan that best meets your needs
and your pocketbook.
eHealthinsurance
Health insurance quotes for individuals,
families, students and small businesses.
healthcarecoach.com
Site contains brief but comprehensive essays, with resource
links, on health insurance, health care and health care advocacy
topics. An essential resource.
2004 Toll-Free Numbers for Health Information
(PDF)
These selected toll-free numbers for organizations provide health
related information, education and support. These organizations
do not diagnose or recommend treatment for any disease. Some of
the organizations use recorded messages; others provide
personalized counseling and referrals. Most offer educational
materials; some charge handling fees. This site is provided by
the U.S. Department of Health and Human
Services.
HIPAA Online
This interactive tool, provided by the Federal Government, helps
answer your questions about health coverage and your rights and
protections under the Health Insurance Portability and
Accountability Act ( HIPAA). If you have questions on getting and
continuing health coverage during events such as losing or
changing jobs, pregnancy, moving, or divorce, you can get answers
here. If you are an employer, you can get answers to common
questions about getting and renewing group health coverage for
your employees.
|
|
Alabama |
|
Alabama Health Insurance Frequently Asked
Questions
Alabama
's Shopper's Guide for Health Insurance for Senior
Citizens
Alabama Department of Insurance’s Guide to Medicare
Supplement Insurance and Long Term Care Insurance Information for
Alabama's Senior Citizens. This guide is designed to provide you
with a listing of insurance companies that have been licensed to
sell Medicare Supplement, Medicare + Choice, Medicare Select,
Medicare Savings and Long Term Care policies in the state of
Alabama. Shop carefully for insurance by comparing several
companies’ prices and service. The check lists for Medicare
Supplement and Long Term Care can help you when you are shopping
for insurance.
Shoppers Guide to Cancer
Insurance
Cancer insurance provides benefits only if you get cancer. No
policy will cover you for cancer diagnosed before you applied for
the policy. Examples of other specified disease policies are
heart attack or stroke policies. The information in this booklet
provided by the Alabama Department of Insurance applies to cancer
insurance, but could very well apply to other specified disease
policies.
|
| Alaska
|
Alaska Insurance Consumer
Guide
Site links to various health insurance
related topics including: How Health Insurance Policies Are Sold,
Considerations in Purchasing, Types of Health Insurance Plans,
Things to Be Aware of Regarding Health Insurance Policies,
Managed Care, Alaska Health Insurance Laws, Federal Laws
Affecting Health Insurance, and Disability Income
Insurance.
A Consumer's Guide to Choosing
an Insurance Company (PDF)
General information about choosing an
insurance company (also includes information on auto, life and
property insurance).
|
| Arizona
|
|
A Consumer's Guide to Group
Health Insurance in Arizona (PDF)
A Consumers Guide to
Individual Health Insurance in Arizona (PDF)
Arizona At Your Service
The official resource locator for the State
of Arizona. This link goes to the health/medical service listings
but you can search on a wide variety of services from the home
page. Not all links are directly related to services
provided.
Arizona Department of Insurance
Consumer Home Page
This is the home page for consumer
information for life and health insurance. It has links to
information about obtaining private health insurance in Arizona
as well as links to Medicaid and other government
programs.
Managed Care Complaint
Ratio 2002
A brochure (PDF) listing number of
enrollees in all health plans including medical, dental, vision,
medicare supplement, and medicare + choice organized by
individual and group policies. A good resource to find out the
total number of health care plans in Arizona.
|
| Arkansas
|
|
|
| California |
Guide
to California Medicare
Options
This Guide is the result of a partnership between two nonprofit
organizations dedicated to educating consumers and promoting
quality health care: the California HealthCare Foundation and
Consumers Union. This site will give you the information you need
to make your best Medicare choice right now and help you
understand the historic changes coming soon to Medicare.
Health Insurance Guide
This consumer guide presented by the California Department of
Insurance explores types of health insurance and how it works in
the State of California.
Selecting and Using Dental Benefits: A Consumer's Guide
to Dental Insurance
The California Dental Association (CDA) presents this information
in the public interest. The information provided should not be
construed as either an endorsement or recommendation by CDA.
While this brochure attempts to be comprehensive, there may be
questions that it has not answered fully. Consult your insurance
carrier, insurance broker or company benefits coordinator for
complete information.
Guide to
Choosing a Health Plan in California
This website is sponsored by the California Medical Association
(CMA). CMA is unable to provide specific advice about which plan
is best for you and your family. If you're still not sure which
type of plan to choose, you may want to use their checklist of
health plan features and services to compare your options or ask
for more information from the health benefits manager at your
workplace or a health plan representative. Your physician may
also be in a good position to help you compare plans, since he or
she is familiar with your health and medical history.
Choosing
a Health Plan: A Guide to Managed Care for
Families
The American Academy of Pediatrics addresses issues of importance
to families including specialty and emergency care, your ability
to change physicians and what to do if a plan rejects your claim
for payment.
|
| Colorado
|
|
Colorado Managed Care Frequently
Asked Questions
Consumer Health Insurance Rights in Colorado
(PDF)
A brochure presented by the Colorado Division of Insurance
explaining how you are protected by State
Law.
Your Rights Regarding Insurance Pre-Authorization
(PDF)
What happens if your health insurance company denied your request
to see a specialist or have a medical procedure? The Colorado
Department of Insurance explains your rights.
ColoradoDivision
of InsuranceGuide to Discount Health Plans (PDF)
Who Does What in Colorado Health
Care
|
| Connecticut |
|
A Comparison of Managed Care
Organizations in Connecticut (pdf)
This site provides a guide, entitled " A
Comparison of Managed Care Organizations in Connecticut "(pdf)
published in October 2003.
Managed Care in
Connecticut
Provides detailed information on Managed
Care in Connecticut. Includes lists of managed care companies and
health maintenance organizations, definitions and a frequently
asked question section.
|
| Delaware |
|
Delaware Questions & Answers about
Health Insurance
A basic guide from the Delaware Insurance Department about health
insurance in the state.
Delaware Department of Insurance Guide to Health
Insurance for Delaware
Citizens (PDF)
Delaware Department of Insurance Guide to Health
Insurance for Delaware
Senior Citizens (PDF)
|
| District of Columbia
|
|
|
| Florida
|
Getting and Keeping Health
Insurance in Florida (PDF)
Health Insurance Guide For
Families and Individuals
A brochure provided by the Florida Health Care Administration
organization, designed to assist individuals and families
searching for health insurance options. This brochure is an
initial reference to assist consumers in selecting health
insurance plans. All information is listed in sequential order,
and visitors will need to scroll down to read the guide in its
entirety. A valuable source of information, and includes several
links to other helpful information at the bottom of the page.
Health Insurance Consumers' Guide
(Department of Insurance)
(800) 342-2762
HMOs - A Guide for Consumers
(Department of
Insurance)
InsuranceStat:
FloridaHealthStat.com
A comprehensive information center about health insurance as it
affects Florida residents. Included in this site is information
about choosing a quality health plan, a Florida nursing home
guide, and information about Florida Medicaid. Each report is
available via a link in the center frame of the page, and
contains a brief description of the information contained in each
report. Some documents may require Adobe Acrobat Reader (free
file) to view.
Florida Insurance Direct
Web brokerage site that intends to provide
individual life insurance, health insurance, long-term care, and
annuities services as well as group life insurance and group
health insurance services for people in Florida. Click on the
“Individual” or “Group/Employee” links at
the top of the page for information about specific plans and
coverage policies. Instant quotes are available, as well as
consumer information regarding health insurance.
|
| Georgia
|
Georgia Association of Health
Plans
Comprehensive site that details the characteristics and
differences between several health plans available to Georgia
residents. Very detailed information available, a great resource
for researching options for health insurance coverage. Includes
links to major health insurance providers on the left side of the
page. The Georgia Association of Health Plans (GaAHP) is a
non-profit organization whose members are committed to providing
affordable, quality health coverage to Georgians.
Georgia Health Insurance
Frequently Asked Questions
|
| Hawaii
|
|
Hawaii Patient’s Bill of Rights,
“Your Healthcare Rights Brochure”
(PDF)
Guide to
the State of Hawaii Quest
Program
This Guide explores frequently asked questions regarding Quest, a
program that provides health coverage through managed care plans
for eligible lower income Hawaii residents.
Frequently Asked Questions Regarding the Loss or
Potential Loss of Health Insurance
FAQ are answered by the State of Hawaii Department of Commerce
and Consumer Affairs.
|
| Idaho
|
|
Consumer Alert - Discount and
Unauthorized Health Plans
The Department of Insurance's Web page for
consumers. It contains links to information about your rights,
the appeal process, and publications about navigating the
system.
Idaho Department of Insurance
Health Insurance Information
This Web page contains a list of links to
information on obtaining health insurance for individuals and
small employers. There is also a list of all major HMOs in the
state and standard benefit plans.
Idaho Individual Basic Health
Policy
The Idaho Department of Insurance has
defined the minimum required benefits that health insurers must
offer for individual health plans for both "standard" plans and
catastrophic. This 25-page PDF describes these plans in
detail.
Insurance Agent Search
A searchable database to help you locate
insurance agents either by insurance product, agency name, or
individual agent's name or license number. The query results
provide full contact information and Web site links, if
applicable.
|
| Illinois
|
Office of Consumer Health
Insurance
The Illinois Department of Insurance provides an online fact
sheet for managed
care consumers about Health Maintenance Organizations (HMOs).
IllinoisInsurance
Facts: Health Maintenance Organizations
HMO plans are very different from traditional health insurance
plans. HMOs work on the premise that you can avoid future medical
problems by "maintaining" your health now. HMOs usually offer you
broader coverages and lower out-of-pocket expenses than
traditional insurance, but you must use the HMO's health care
providers. This fact sheet is presented by the Illinois
Department of Insurance.
Health Insurance in the State of
Illinois
The Illinois Department of Insurance explores health insurance
terms and options in Illinois.
|
| Indiana
|
|
|
| Iowa
|
|
|
| Kansas
|
| |
| Kentucky |
|
|
| Louisiana
|
|
Tips When Shopping for Individual
Insurance
This guide to shopping for individual insurance is presented by
the Louisiana Department of Insurance.
|
| Maine
|
|
A Consumer’s Guide
to Health Insurers Doing Business in Maine
This site provides a report on all licensed
insurers that sell health insurance in Maine. You can find the
following Maine specific information:
*The number of consumer complaints received against insurers
*The number of utilization review decisions the companies made
that were not in favor of the covered person
*General information on the insurers including the number of
people covered under their plans, customer service numbers and
hours, the products that they sell in Maine, a web site address,
and whether the company has received accreditation from one of
the organizations who rates managed care companies based on
specific standards of operation.
Health Care Resource
Directory
This is the resource section of the
handbook "Navigating Maine'e Health Care System" which has
extensive information about: Medicaid/Cub Care Resources,
Legal Assistance, Area Agencies on Aging, Regional/Local Health
Programs,
Dental Clinics, Free Clinics, Rural Health Centers and Other
Health Care Resources in Maine.
|
| Maryland |
|
Measuring the Quality of
Maryland HMOs and POS Plans - Consumer Guide 2004
(PDF)
The primary purpose of this Guide is to
help consumers learn how Maryland’s largest health
maintenance organizations compare to each other on important
measures of quality. This guide is useful in choosing an
insurance provider, however there is not guarantee these
providers will offer individual insurance.
Maryland Health Care
Commission
|
| Massachusetts
|
|
|
| Michigan |
|
Consumer Guide to Discount
Health Care Plans
877-999-6442
An insurance consumer information sheet for discount health care
plans.
HMO Consumer
Guide
A consumer guide of HMOs available in
Michigan. You can search by area or HMO company.
|
| Minnesota
|
|
Minnesota Department of Health - Guide to
Health Care Resources
This guide lists various programs or
agencies that provide health care services or information about
services or insurance in specific situations.
Guide to Purchasing Health
Insurance
A guide for consumers covering topics such
as "What are your health insurance choices?", "Which type is
right for you?", "Looking for insurance in specific situations",
"Checklist for comparing plans", and much more
information.
Minnesota Health Insurance Network
Broker providing a wide range of plans for
individual, families and small businesses. Detailed input form to
determine client needs.
|
| Mississippi
|
|
Health Insurance Shopper’s Guide:
Mississippi Department of Insurance
Useful and informative guide published by the Mississippi
Department of Insurance for consumers attempting to purchase
individual and family health insurance policies. Topics covered
include types of health insurance plans, required disclosures to
health insurance companies, and important questions to ask a
health insurance provider.
Insurance Consumer
Publications: Mississippi Department of
Insurance
Comprehensive list of consumer-related publications published by
the Mississippi Department of Insurance and several other
organizations about health insurance and related issues affecting
Mississippi residents. Some documents require Adobe Acrobat
Reader (free program) to view.
|
| Missouri
|
|
Frequently Asked
Questions in Missouri
Missouri Department of Insurance HMO
Guide
|
| Montana
|
|
Montana State Auditor - Consumer Insurance Web
Site
Find an insurance agent, file a complaint
against an insurance company, or link to consumer information on
health insurance from this page.
|
| Nebraska
|
| |
| Nevada
|
|
Consumer Guides Available from the Nevada
Division of Insurance
This page provides links to several
consumer publications about health, Medi-gap, and other types of
insurance.
Picture of Health Insurance in Nevada
(PDF)
This 21 page pdf file summarizes your rights with respect to
health insurance and also details the services the Division of
Insurance provides to consumers. There is also a listing of
health insurers that were reviewed by the Insurance Division.
Call their toll free number at 1-888-872-3234 for direct
assistance.
|
| New
Hampshire
|
|
Your HMO and You; What You Need to Know
About Health Maintenance Organizations (PDF)
New Hampshire
Continuation (PDF)
State Continuation is not insurance, it is an option to continue
existing coverage under a New Hampshire law. This brochure
provides the details.
Fraudulent Group Health Insurance Plans
(PDF)
This guide presented by the New Hampshire Department of Insurance
assists you in recognizing the warning signs for a fraudulent
company.
|
| New
Jersey |
Individual Health Coverage Program
Buyer's Guide
The Buyer's Guide is designed to help
health insurance consumers choose the plan that best fits their
needs. It includes a description of the types of individual
health insurance plans (such as, managed care and Indemnity),
answers to commonly asked questions, and a list of participating
carriers, their current rates and telephone numbers.
The Individual Health Coverage Program Information Hotline will
send free copies of the NJ Buyer's Guide to interested callers.
The Buyer's Guide is designed to help medical insurance consumers
choose the plan that best fits their needs.
New Jersey 2003 HMO Performance
Report - Compare Your Choices
This comparison tool allows you to compare
and contrast up to 8 different HMO and POS providers in the
state. Categories include Service & Access, Getting Healthy,
Staying Healthy, and Doctors and Care, among others.
New Jersey Office of
Managed Care
Link to quality, service and access, complaints, contacts and
comparison reports, as well as, NJ's managed care assistance
program.
|
| New
Mexico |
|
New Mexico Consumer
Health Guides
Sponsored by the New Mexico Health Policy Commission, this Web
resource provides consumer ratings and other data about managed
care plans and hospitals in New Mexico.
Health Insurance FAQs
1-800-663-9782
A list of frequently asked questions about health, life and long
term care insurance that are answered by the New Mexico Insurance
Division.
|
| New
York |
|
New York Insurance
Department
New York Consumer Guide to Health
Insurers (PDF)
Provides consumers with information about
the quality of care their HMOs and health insurers are providing
so they can make informed decisions about their health
care.
New York Health Insurance
Frequently Asked Questions
Mayor's Office of Health
Insurance Access (MOHIA)
Find out more about health insurance
options for small business, individuals and sole proprietors so
you can make the right choices for yourself and your employees.
Find out if you or your family qualify for Medicaid, Family
Health Plus or Child Health Plus using HealthStat's on-line
pre-screening system.
New York City Managed Care Consumer
Assistance Program (MCCAP)
From site: "The MCCAP is a resource for
general information about managed care, for specific information
to help you understand your managed care or health plan, and for
counseling and advice when you need help getting specific
services."
New York State
Department of Insurance Interactive Consumer Guide to
HMOs
In this Interactive Consumer Guide to HMOs you will find
easy-to-read tables comparing HMO performance and premiums,
historical complaint data and tips on how to choose an HMO.
|
| North
Carolina |
|
A Consumer’s Guide
to Health Insurance and Health Programs in North
Carolina
Consumer’s
Guide to Health Insurance and Managed
Care
A comprehensive consumer’s
guide to health insurance in North Carolina. Provided by the
North Carolina Department of Insurance. Requires Abode Acrobat
Viewer (free program) to view.
Office of Citizen Services' Toll-free
Information and Referral Service/CARE-LINE
The Office of Citizen Services' toll-free
Information and Referral Service/CARE-LINE is staffed with
specialists who offer information and referral on human services
within the Department of Health and Human Services and
non-profits across the state. Spanish-speaking representatives
are also available.
Frequently Asked Questions in North
Carolina
Background Information for HMOs in North
Carolina
Comparison of HMO and PPO Plans
in North Carolina
Document provides comparisons between HMO programs and PPO
programs available to North Carolina residents. Requires Abode
Acrobat Viewer (free program) to view.
|
| North
Dakota |
|
North Dakota Health
Insurance Information
This site provides information about
different aspects of health insurance in North Dakota and gives
contact information of where you can go if you have additional
questions.
Health Insurance Frequently
Asked Questions for North Dakota
Choose Frequently Asked Questions, then
choose Health Insurance.
|
| Ohio |
|
Ohio Health Plan Report
Card 2003
This health plan report card compares the
quality of care delivered by health plans to their members. It
was developed for State of OH employees but is useful to all
State residents. Scroll down to see the ratings chart.
Complete Health Insurance
Guide - PDF
Managed Care Insurance
Guide - PDF
Managed Care state specific health
insurance guide
Search For Authorized Insurance
Company
Search field to find authorized and
licensed health insurance companies in Ohio
Ohio Shopper's Guide to
Health Insurance
Ohio Department of Insurance
Frequently Asked Questions
Ohio Shopper's Guide to
Health Insurance - Leaving an Employer Group
This page details the steps to getting individual health
insurance after leaving an employer group. Check out the
companies that sell individual insurance under the "Find
individual coverage" header.
|
|
Oklahoma
|
|
OASIS Health Care Information
OASIS provides a statewide information and
referral service that can help Oklahomans with special needs find
community resources. Anyone needing help can call the toll-free
number: 800-426-2747 or search our directory from the link below.
OASIS has a database of thousands of agencies, organizations and
programs throughout the state, and can help people find the
services they need in their area. OASIS has listings of national
organizations and agencies as well as local support groups. This
part of the OASIS site provides a list of health care resources,
some offered at minimal or no cost. Please click on the resource
you are interested in to find out more information.
The Oklahoma Insurance Department
publishes various brochures outlining the facts about health
insurance. Some of the brochures are available in pdf on the site
and others can be requested for free by completing the brochure
order form request.
|
| Oregon
|
|
How to be an Informed Health Care
Consumer in Oregon
Information on your health care rights in Oregon and
links to other state government agencies that help Oregonians
access health care and health insurance.
Obtaining Health Care
Coverage
Information on laws
governing employers and health insurance, COBRA, premium
assistance for low-income families, the high risk pool, and
Medicare.
Learning About the Health of Your Company in
Oregon
Click on Consumer Information, then scroll
down and choose Health Insurance, then choose General Information
on Insurance, then choose Choosing an Insurance Company, then
scroll down to Learning About the Health of Company.
Oregon Health Insurance
Frequently Asked Questions
|
| Pennsylvania |
|
A Consumer's Guide to
Health Insurance in Pennsylvania (PDF)
877-881-6388
A comprehensive guide to health insurance
in PA. Topics covered include: Health Insurance Glossary,
Available Health Insurance Programs/Options, Types of Health
Insurance, Available Health Insurance Policies/Coverages,
Government Sponsored Insurance Programs, Available coverage for
on the job injuries, Ways to Maintain Coverage, Health Insurance
Tips, Health Insurance Policy Checklist & If Your Health
Insurance Claim is Denied.
Measuring the Quality of
Pennsylvania’s Commercial HMOs (PDF)
This report provides comparisons of the quality and value offered
by Pennsylvania HMOs. Categories compared are : Helping to Keep
Members Healthy, Preventing Hospitalization through Primary Care,
Managing On-Going Illnesses, Follow-up to an Emergency Situation
& Surgical Procedures. <br> At the end of the document
is the contact information for all of the HMOs compared.
|
| Rhode
Island
|
|
|
| South
Carolina
|
|
|
| South
Dakota
|
|
Health Insurance FAQ
Health Insurance Guide
for Employers and Employees
This guide is designed to help persons understand what the rights
and obligations of employers and employees are in providing and
accessing health insurance.
|
| Tennessee |
|
|
| Texas
|
|
Guide to Texas HMO
Quality
This report provides objective information
to consumers and purchasers of
health care on how well health plans perform in key areas:
quality of
care, and access to care. We hope this will improve the ability
of
Texans make informed health care choices based on reliable
data.
|
| Utah
|
|
|
| Vermont |
|
A Consumer's Guide To Health
Insurance
800-631-7788
This site provides a guide to explain health insurance and how it
works. It describes the different types of insurance policies
available to you and what to expect once you have health
insurance.
Vermont Managed Health
Care Plans: A Guide for Consumers (PDF)
This guide provides performance information
on Vermont's four major managed care plans and describes your
rights and responsibilities as a member of a managed care
plan.
Discount Health Plans:
What Consumers Should Know
1-800-631-7788
This site proides a brief description of Discounted Health Plans,
including information on what to know before you buy and what to
do if you plan to buy a discounted health plan.
Your HMO & You: What You Need to Know About
Health Maintenance Organizations
This site provides a
comprehensive explanation of what HMOs are, how they work, and
your rights as a consumer.
|
Virginia
|
|
|
| Washington
|
|
Options in the Individual
Market in Washington
This page tells you what the individual
health insurance market is, what you can expect to pay, and how
to buy into it in Washington State.
Buying Health Insurance in
Washington State
To view guide, click on 'Buying Health
Insurance' on the right side column.
Considering Discount
Plans (pdf)
What to consider when looking at
“Discount Plans.”
Health Insurance Frequently
Asked Questions in Washington
Click on left side on consumer Information,
then scroll down to Health Insurance, then scroll down to
Frequently Asked Questions About Health Insurance.
Illegal Health Plans in
Washington State
"Verify before you buy," says this Web page
sponsored by the Office of the Insurance Commissioner. It
provides links to a database for looking up health plans, notices
of cease and desist orders for illegal health plans, and an
information line to call to check out a prospective health plan
before you buy.
SHIBA (Statewide Health
Insurance Benefits Advisors) HelpLine
Start your search for insurance in
Washington by calling the SHIBA hotline number listed on this Web
page. Knowledgeable volunteers provide specialized health
insurance education, assistance and advocacy, including
individualized counseling regarding your rights and
options.
Health Insurance Options in
Washington State (pdf)
Brief but comprehensive guide with links.
Includes government-subsidized and private insurance.
|
| West
Virginia |
|
|
| Wisconsin |
|
WI Consumer Guide to
Health Care
The Wisconsin Department of Health and
Family Services, Bureau of Health Information, provides
information about common outpatient procedures, births in
hospitals, other hospital stays, and outpatient same-day
surgeries in Wisconsin.
Wisconsin Office of the
Commissioner of Insurance
Wisconsin Health
Insurance Frequently Asked Questions
A Shopper's Guide to
Cancer Insurance
Information on Cancer Insurance and help
for selecting a plan.
A Guide
to Health Insurance and Worker's Compensation Insurance for Farm
Families
|
|
Wyoming
|
|
|
