Resources

The businesses and organizations included on this page provide information about

Hospital performance evaluations,

Health care insurance and programs,

Physician lookup, and

Obstetrics.

Click on any link above to review information for that topic.

Hospital Evaluation Resources

The Maryland Health Care Commission (MHCC) is the state agency, along with the HSCRC (see below), responsible for developing the Hospital Performance Evaluation Guide. For more information about the Commission, its public members and its work, visit their web site at www.mhcc.maryland.gov or call toll-free 1-877-245-1762.

The Maryland Health Services Cost Review Commission (HSCRC) is the state agency responsible for reviewing and approving hospital rates and making financial information about Maryland hospitals available to the public. For more information about the HSCRC, its public members and its work, visit their web site at www.hscrc.state.md.us or call 877-4MD-DHMH or 410-764-2605.

The Joint Commission (TJC) has prepared a guide to assist consumers to select a hospital: Helping You Choose the Hospital For You. You may visit their Web site at www.jointcommission.org or call 630-792-5000.

The Agency for Health Research and Quality (AHRQ) is the lead federal agency responsible for research on how the health care system is working including research on quality, cost, access, use of services, and health care outcomes and patient safety. AHRQ has a variety of resources for consumers, including consumer guides for improved health and health care (for example, a guide on questions to ask prior to surgery). Information on health conditions, diseases, and quality of care information is available at www.ahrq.gov/consumer/.

The Maryland Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DHMH) is the State agency responsible for the licensing and regulatory oversight of Maryland hospitals through the Office of Health Care Quality. Visit their Web site at www.dhmh.state.md.us/ohcq/ or call toll-free 1-877-402-8218.

The Maryland Attorney General's Office publishes the reports that are of value for hospital patients', including a guide to understanding your medical bill, what to do when you are denied insurance coverage, and other consumer reports.

The Maryland Hospitals Association (MHA) is a hospital advocacy, resource and quality improvement organization. A Web site is available providing information on its activities at http://www.mhaonline.org or call 410-379-6200.

The Veterans Affairs (VA) Maryland Health Care System is a health care organization dedicated to providing quality, compassionate, and accessible care and service to Maryland's veterans. The VA has many medical centers and outpatient clinics located throughout the state that all work together to form a comprehensive health care delivery system. Additional information about VA hospitals can be found at www.maryland.va.gov.

Office of the Inspector General
The mission of the Office of the Inspector General is to protect the integrity of the Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DHMH) and promote standards that benefit the citizens of Maryland and beneficiaries of its programs.

Health Insurance Resources

The Maryland Insurance Administration (MIA) is an independent State agency that regulates Maryland's insurance industry and protects consumers by ensuring that insurance companies and health plans act in accordance with State insurance laws. You may visit their Web site at www.mdinsurance.state.md.us or call toll-free 1-800-492-6116. From the Web site home page, click on the Consumer Information link to the left to find information intended to help you make better insurance decisions.

The Maryland Medical Assistance Programs are an integral part of the Maryland Department of Health and Mental Hygiene. The programs provide access to health care services for many of the State’s low-income residents. This Web site contains information about each program or service and provides instructions on how and where to apply for benefits. Visit their Web site at www.dhmh.state.md.us/mma/mmahome.html. The Web site provides the names and telephone numbers of the various agencies and companies who provide medical insurance benefits.

Insurance provider websites also provide helpful benefit information on their respective websites.

The Centers for Medicaid & Medicare Services hosts the official U.S. Government site for people with Medicare, medicare.gov.

Physician Resources

The Maryland Department of Health and Mental Hygiene Board of Physicians’ mission is to protect the health and safety of the citizens of Maryland through strong enforcement of licensure standards for physicians and allied health providers and an effective disciplinary program. Visit the Board of Physician’s Web site at www.mbp.state.md.us to review license dates and any active disciplinary actions for your doctor, therapist, pharmacist, etc.

Obstetrics Resources

The Maryland Center for Maternal and Child Health is part of the Maryland Department of Health and Mental Hygiene's Family Health Administration. Its mission is to protect, promote and improve the health and well-being of women, children and adolescents in Maryland. The Center has online information about the first prenatal visit, nutrition, common complaints, and problem signs. The site can be accessed at http://fha.maryland.gov/mch

The La Leche League Web site, http://www.lalecheleague.org, is sponsored by La Leche League International, an international, nonprofit, organization dedicated to providing education, information, support, and encouragement to women who want to breastfeed.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration provides information on the proper use of a child safety seat and how to buy a booster seat on their Web site: http://www.nhtsa.dot.gov/CPS/.

The Department of Health and Human Services Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Web site provides information on preventing birth defects. Not all birth defects can be prevented, but a woman can take some actions that increase her chance of having a healthy baby. Many birth defects happen very early in pregnancy, sometimes before a woman even knows she is pregnant. Remember that about half of all pregnancies are unplanned. Visit their Web site for parents at http:www.healthychildren.org

The American Academy of Pediatrics is a physician's association committed to the attainment of optimal physical, mental, and social health and well being for all infants, children, adolescents, and young adults. A number of resources for the family can be found on their Web site at http://www.aap.org/family/.

The American College of Nurse Midwives site provides consumer information on the role of a nurse midwife, how to locate a midwife, and other information for expectant mothers and their families. Find information on their Web site at http://www.midwife.org.

An organization committed to improving maternal health. SaferMaternity hopes to create a caring place for women and their families to share their stories, their knowledge, and their dreams. To access the site click here http://www.safermaternity.org

International Cesarean Awareness Network (ICAN). ICAN’s mission is to prevent unnecessary cesareans through education and to support women who are healing from past birth experiences. ICAN also provides information for women who are planning a vaginal birth after cesarean. Their web site is www.ican-online.org