Other Healthcare Resources

Making Healthcare Decisions
Medicare publishes a variety of resources designed to help you better manage your healthcare. Browse through the information listed below, or for further assistance with any of these topics, please call 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227) or TTY/TTD 1-877-486-2048 for the hearing and speech impaired.

Choosing a Hospital
As part of of your decision-making process, you may want to search Medicare's Hospital Compare website. Here, you can see how well local hospitals performed on key quality measures related to heart attack, heart failure, pneumonia, and surgeries.

Choosing a Nursing Home
Deciding which nursing home will be best for you or your loved ones can be challenging. For help in considering all the issues, refer to the Guide to Choosing a Nursing Home—available in English or Spanish.

The Medicare website, Nursing Home Compare, is another important tool. This searchable database allows you to see how well local nursing homes performed on quality-of-care measures related to pressure ulcers, pain, mobility, and more.

A brief overview of payment options that may be available to you is also provided online.

Choosing a Home Health Agency
Learn how a home health agency may be able to assist you, and what services are covered by Medicare, in the guide Medicare and Home Health Care.

The Medicare website, Home Health Compare, is also a valuable resource. Here, you can see how well local agencies performed on quality indicators related to patients' recovery.

Finding a Doctor that Accepts Medicare
Search for physicians in your area using Medicare's Participating Provider Directory.

Review detailed information about Medicare prescription drug coverage, including tips to consider when enrolling in a plan.

A helpful checklist for patients, and their families, to use when preparing to leave a hospital, nursing home, or other healthcare facility.  English version.  Spanish version.

If you are concerned that you or a family member is being discharged too soon, please review this information outlining Medicare's appeal process.

Protecting Your Health
The following websites can help you learn more about taking care of yourself and your loved ones—but no website is a substitute for the expertise of your doctor. Be sure to ask your doctor if you have any questions about managing your health.

Understanding Various Health Conditions
The National Institutes of Health has compiled resources about diabetes, arthritis, high blood pressure, and many other health conditions at the SeniorHealth website. 

Keeping Up-to-Date with Immunizations
Protect yourself against serious, preventable diseases by getting immunized. Learn which immunizations are recommended for seniors and use this form to track your immunization history.

Getting Information in Other Languages
Health-related educational materials are available in dozens of languages at the MedlinePlus website.