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Paying for Health Care

Web Sites

Health Insurance and Health Plans

  • Health Plan Ratings
    Published by JD Power and Associates, this global marketing information firm conducts independent and unbiased surveys of customer satisfaction, product quality and buyer behavior. It rates health plans both local and across the country in 8 categories including: approval process, choice of doctors and hospitals, coverage benefits, claims processing, and insurance statements.
  • The National Committee for Quality Assurance
    NCQA is a non-profit organization dedicated to improving health care quality. You can find a private health insurance provider or check your current provider with NCQA's interactive Health Plan Report Card database, updated monthly, that includes all companies licensed to sell health insurance in Pennsylvania. Health plans that meet the standards for quality of care and service receive NCQA Accreditation, a nationally recognized as a seal of approval.
  • The Pennsylvania Insurance Department, Bureau of Consumer Affairs Bureau of Consumer Affairs
    Identifies private health insurers licensed to do business in PA. Also includes the number and type of complaints filed against a company and a comparison of their rates. Toll Free Phone Number: 1-877-881-6388 The Department also administers two insurance programs:
  • adultBasic
    Administered by Pennsylvania Insurance Department, this program provides health insurance to uninsured Pennsylvanians between the ages of 19 and 64 who have jobs without healthcare benefits, or who are between jobs. Income limitations apply. Toll Free Phone Number: 1-800-GO-BASIC
  • Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP)
    Administered by Pennsylvania Insurance Department, this program provided health insurance for children and teens of working families who otherwise could not afford it. Income limitations apply. Toll Free Phone Number: 1-800-986-KIDS

Medicare, Medicaid, Medical Assistance

  • Underinsured or Uninsured: A Guide to the Health Care Resources in Allegheny County
    This directory lists clinics and health centers in Allegheny County that serve people without health insurance or who are minimally insured. Also included is information about prescription assistance, transportation, and consumer advocacy resources.
  • Medicare.gov
    This is the official U.S. government site for people with Medicare and the first place to look for answers to any Medicare questions. "The Medicare & You" guide is available here and the site also has links to compare local health plans, medigap policies, nursing homes, home health agencies and hospitals.
  • APPRISE
    Apprise is a free health insurance counseling program designed to help Pennsylvanians with Medicare. Counselors are specially trained volunteers who can answer questions about Medicare D and provide objective, easy-to-understand information about health insurance. Toll Free Phone Number: 1-888-222-4200
  • Pennsylvania Office of Medical Assistance Programs
    Medical Assistance (MA) also referred to as Medicaid is a joint state/federal program that provides payment for health care services on behalf of eligible low-income individuals with limited income and high medical expenses.

Long Term Care

  • LongTermCare.gov
    This National Clearinghouse for Long-Term Care Information from the U. S. Department of Health & Human Services provides information about the cost of long-term care and how to pay for it and includes a detailed overview of both public programs and private insurance.
  • Pennsylvania Department of Insurance: Long-Term Care Insurance
    Long term care information includes a directory of approved insurance companies licensed in Pennsylvania that offer long-term care policies. Policy rates are shown for each of the six categories of long-term care policies that a company offers.

Browse the Catalog

For library materials on this topic, browse these subject headings in the library catalog:

Browse the Shelves

Use these Library of Congress Classification Numbers to browse the shelves in the library. You can also use them to browse the Catalog.

Subject LC Classification
Medicaid
Medicare
HD 7102-7125
R 728

Selected Books

Lankford, Kimberly
The Insurance Maze: How You Can Save Money on Insurance and Still Get the Coverage You Need

Making the right decisions about your health care insurance is important. This guide presents guides you through the tough decisions and helps you avoid costly mistakes
HG8531.L35 2006

Brock, Fred
Health Care on Less Than You Think: The New York Times Guide to Getting Affordable Coverage

This guide is designed to help you manage your family's health care costs.
RA410.53.B754 2006

Matthews, J.L.
Social Security, Medicare and Government Pensions

Completely updated, this guide helps you get the most from your retirement pension income and the best possible medical insurance.
KF3650.M37 2007

TheStreet.com Ratings' Guide to Health Insurers

Published quarterly, each volume compiles health insurance company ratings and analyses.
rqHG9395.T494x