Affordable Care Act

 HealthCare.gov- U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
The official website for the Affordable Care Act. Explanations of the provisions are provided. A timeline is given to follow developments as they occur. The public can locate public or private health insurance in their area.

Office of Consumer Information and Insurance Oversight - U.S. Dept of Health and Human Services

Responsible for implementing many of the provisions of the legislation that address private health insurance.

The OCIIO is responsible for ensuring compliance with the new insurance market rules, such as the prohibitions on rescissions and on pre-existing condition exclusions for children. It will oversee the new medical loss ratio rules and will assist states in reviewing insurance rates. The Affordable Care Act calls for the establishment of the Consumer Operated and Oriented Plans (CO-OP) Program, which will foster the creation of qualified nonprofit health insurance issuers to offer qualified health plans in the individual and small group markets.
 

National Alliance on Mental Illness

Federal health care reform addresses many of the challenges people have in getting and keeping health
care coverage. This site includes a chart that identifies key provisions in the federal Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act that offer meaningful benefits to individuals and families who live with mental illness.

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Alternative Medicine

Alternative Medicine Foundation 
Maryland non-profit provides responsible information about alternative medicine through resource guides and databases.

Alternative Massage
An introduction to the massage therapy field.

Center for Integrative Medicine
University of Maryland's program includes patient care, research, education and informatics.

Herbal Medicine Center
Information on herbs and their uses.

Herbal Safety
From the University of Texas, herbal fact sheets and education

National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine
A division of the NIH, this site provides information on alternative medicine, including databases and links to other sites

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Associations and Support Groups

Alzheimer's Association - Greater Maryland Chapter  
Over 40 support groups in MD. Caregivers and family members meet to share their feelings, problems, and solutions to the challenge of caregiving. Respite care available at some meetings. For more information and referral to a group near you call 410-561-9099.

American Dental Association
Information on oral health issues, searchable directory of dentists and other oral health professionals.

American Diabetes Association
Funds research, publishes scientific findings, provides information and other services to people with diabetes, their families, health care professionals and the public and advocates for scientific research and for the rights of people with diabetes. Enter your zip code or city and state to find local information about local community events.

American Heart Association - Maryland
Information and resources available to people with heart disease and other heart-related conditions, as well as stroke. Treatment options, advocacy, diet and nutrition information for a healthy lifestyle, links to other heart health-related organizations.

Baltimore Cancer Support Group
This support group for cancer patients, caregivers and the bereaved offers opportunities to exchange ideas, feelings, information and encouragement in a safe, confidential setting. Medical professionals often participate with the group. For the first half hour the entire group meets together. Then, members break into sub-groups of patients, caregivers, teenagers and bereaved. For more information call 410-668-1762. Mondays 7-8:30 PM at St. Timothy's Lutheran Church. Thursday 7-8:30 PM at St. Peter's Lutheran Church.

Baltimore Stroke Club
This organization runs a support group for caregivers. They meet once a month at Good Samaritan Hospital. For more information call 443-444-4663.

Caring Connections
Caring Connections, a program of the National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization (NHPCO), is a national consumer engagement initiative to improve care at the end of life. It provides free resources and information to help people make decisions about end-of-life care and services.

Directory of Information Resources Online (DIRLINE)
National Library of Medicine's online directory containing information for over 8,000 health organizations

Learn CPR
CPR information and training resources, including online video demonstrations.

National Rehabilitation Information Center (NARIC)
Powerful gateway to an abundance of disability and rehabilitation-oriented information organized in a variety of formats designed to make it easy for users to find and use. NARIC's Web site contains online publications, searchable databases, and timely reference and referral data.

Smoking Cessation 
From the Baltimore County Health Department, programs around the county

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Diet, Nutrition and Fitness

AARP Wellness Center
Information for seniors on health, exercise, wellness, nutrition and other health-related topics.

Choose to Move
Increase physical activity and reduce risk of heart disease with this free program for women from the American Heart Association

Eatright.org - American Dietetic Association
This powerful site offers the latest findings,discussions and tips on everything from food safety to shaving calories off your restaurant order. Popular diet plans are reviewed from a medical standpoint. Find a qualified dietician in your zipcode. Disease management through diet is also covered.

Eat Smart, Be Fit, Maryland!
A web site from the University of Maryland for Maryland residents who want to learn more about healthy eating and being active. It includes information on healthy cooking, food safety, raising healthy kids, maintaining weight and resources and events for all Maryland counties.

ExRx on the Net
Extensive information on cardiovascular and strength training, including video instruction on proper exercise technique.

National Center for Injury Prevention and Control
The NCIPC works to reduce morbidity, disability, mortality, and costs associated with injuries.

Tox Town
Learn about connections between chemicals, the environment and the public's health.

Weight Control
from the NIH, a comprehensive guide to news, research, and organizations dedicated to
weight management
 

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Do you need information about medical or drug assistance? Want to learn how to eat healthy on a budget? Want tips on exercising to keep healthy? BCPL can help.

Finding Medical Services and Facilities

American Hospital Directory
Provides on-line data for over 6,000 hospitals. Database is built from Medicare claims data, cost reports, and other public use files obtained from the federal Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. Look up hospitals according to criteria you specify, such as hospital characteristics, services provided, financial reports, costs and charges, etc.

Baltimore County Health Services - Department of Health 
The major portal to all the health-related services provided by Baltimore County

Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services
Federal agency that administers Medicare, Medicaid and the State Children's Health Insurance Program (SCHIP).

Home Health Compare
Medicare published data comparing the quality of the nation's home-care providers

Hospital Compare
Information on how well area hospitals care for their adult patients with certain medical conditions

Maryland Hospital Performance Evaluation Guide
Guide designed to assist consumers and their families in obtaining quality hospital based care.

Maryland Nursing Home Performance Evaluation Guide
The Maryland Nursing Home Performance Evaluation Guide is designed to assist consumers and their families in making decisions about selecting a nursing home. The Maryland Health Care Commission (MHCC), in consultation with the Department of Health and Mental Hygiene and the Department of Aging, produced this guide with the assistance of experts in long-term care, representatives of the nursing home industry in Maryland, as well as nursing home advocates and long-term care ombudsmen.

2009/2010 Health Plan Performance Report-Maryland Health Care Commission[PDF]
Provides information to help evaluate HMOs and PPOs operating in Maryland. For individuals who are deciding which health plan to join, or for employers who are choosing which HMO/PPO to offer their employees.

National Committee for Quality Assurance - Health Plan Report Card
An interactive tool designed to help you find the health plan that's right for you.

Nursing Home Compare
Medicare's five-star rating system for nursing homes. A downloadable checklist covers such important topics as: Resident appearance; Living spaces; Staff; Menus and Food; Resident rooms and Activities.
It suggests some 50 questions to ask administrators, staff and residents.

Taking Care of Mom and Dad:Understanding Choices, Options and Services
Program descriptions, eligibility requirements and contact information for a wide variety of services to help older relatives and friends get services, resources and information needed to remain active and independent in Baltimore County, presented by the Baltimore County Department of Aging and the Baltimore County Commission on Aging.

TheCaringSpace
A resource to connect caregivers to families and individuals in need of assistance and health services in their home.  Easy registration, powerful search tools, and a locally-based roster of caregivers makes this a powerful tool.

Transplant Resource Center of MD
A not-for-profit health service organization that provides organ procurement and tissue bank services to the citizens of Maryland. Organ transplant information and a donor card to print out and complete
 

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Finding a Doctor

AMA Physician Select
Information on licensed physicians in the U.S

Board of Physician Quality Assurance of MD - Practitioner Profile Search
Information about the training and specialities of physicians licensed in the state of MD

Directory of Physicians in the U.S.  ★

Health Grades - Find-A-Doctor
An independent ratings organization that provides ratings and profiles of physicians as well as hospitals and nursing homes in your area. The quality of care and costs are a prime focus of this site.

Maryland Physician Search
From the Board of Physician Quality Assurance

Official ABMS Directory of Board Certified Medical Specialists  ★
 

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Maryland Flu Preparedness

"Directory of Maryland Health Departments" from the Maryland Community Health Administration.

Find a Flu Shot
Flu shot locator from Maxim Health Systems to find additional flu shot locations by zip code.

Flu Shot Clinics at Senior Centers
"In partnership with Maxim Health Services, Baltimore County Department of Aging will be offering flu shot clinics at 19 area senior centers. Flu and Pneumonia vaccines will be available also.

Flu.Maryland.gov - Maryland Department of Health and Mental Hygiene
This powerful site provides access to Maryland and Federal resources, FAQ's about swine flu prevention, up to date bulletins and statistics and much more.

Seasonal and H1N1 (Swine) Flu Information
Answers to questions about seasonal and H1N1 flu from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention


 

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Medical Assistance

Baltimore County Partner's Health Improvement Program (PartnerS.H.I.P)
Provides access to affordable quality health care to uninsured/underinsured Baltimore County residents through referral services, community resources, and education programs.

Maryland Medical Assistance Program -Maryland Department of Health and  Mental Hygiene
This site provides access to health care services for many of the State’s low-income residents. Individuals may be eligible for services through the Maryland Medicaid Program, the Maryland Children’s Health Program or the Maryland Primary Adult Care Program (PAC), depending upon income and other factors
 

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Medical Centers and Institutions

Greater Baltimore Medical Center (GBMC)
A non-profit health care organization, licensed and accredited by the Joint Commission on Accreditation for Health Care Organizations (JCAHO).

Johns Hopkins Bayview Medical Center 
A full-service JCAHO-accredited teaching hospital and home to one of Maryland's most comprehensive neonatal intensive care units, a sleep disorders center, an area-wide trauma center, the state's only regional burn center, and a geriatrics center that has a national reputation in the field of aging.

Johns Hopkins Hospital and Health System
Recognized as a leader in patient care, medical research and teaching, with three acute-care hospitals and several outreach programs for local, national and international patient activities. Home to the:

• Brady Urological Institute
• Johns Hopkins Children's Center
• Wilmer Eye Institute
   

Kennedy Krieger Institute 
In addition to providing inpatient care in the 70-bed specialty pediatric hospital, the Institute has multiple day treatment, outpatient and home-based services for children and adolescents with disorders of the brain, either congenital or acquired through injury or illness.

LifeBridge Health
Regional health care organization based in Northwest Baltimore City and County, serving the mid-Atlantic area through hospitals, outpatient centers and wellness enterprises.

• Courtland  Gardens Nursing & Rehabilitation Center
• Levindale Hebrew Geriatric Center and Hospital
• Northwest Hospital Center
• Sinai Hospital

.MedStar Health
A non-profit, community-based healthcare organization serving the Baltimore and Washington region.
In the Baltimore area:

• Franklin Square Hospital Center
• Good Samaritan Hospital
• Harbor Hospital
• Union Memorial Hospital
   

Mercy Medical Center
A full-service university-affiliated medical facility, delivering a full range of health care services including internal medicine, obstetrics, pediatrics, urology, cardiology, gastroenterology, oncology, women's services, cosmetic surgery, ophthalmology, hospice, rehabilitative care, and emergency medicine.


Sheppard Pratt Health System
A private, non-profit behavioral health organization that provides a full range of services in a variety of settings to meet the needs of children, adolescents, adults and older adults.

Spring Grove Hospital Center
Second oldest continuously operating psychiatric hospital in the United States, providing inpatient and residential psychiatric services to adult patients.

St. Agnes Hospital
Full-service community teaching hospital with residency programs in a number of medical/surgical specialties. Also supports a growing number of off-site facilities including the St. Agnes Nursing and Rehabilitation Center in Ellicott City, and the Seton Imaging Center.

St. Joseph Medical Center 
A 308-bed acute care, not-for-profit, regional medical center offering a comprehensive range of health services for both inpatients and outpatients.

University of Maryland Medical System  
A private, not-for-profit hospital system with 1,652 licensed beds and more than 9,000 employees. It provides a complete range of inpatient and outpatient services to more than 300,000 patients a year.

• The R Adams Cowley Shock Trauma Center
• The Marlene and Stewart Greenebaum Cancer Center
• Kernan Hospital
• Maryland General Hospital
• Mt. Washington Pediatric Hospital (Prince George's County)
• Baltimore Washington Medical Center
• University of Maryland Hospital for Children
• The University of Maryland Medical Center
• University of Maryland Medicine at Timonium
• University Post-Acute Care Services
• University Specialty Hospital

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Medical Conditions and Diseases

American Academy of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology
Physician referral directory, patient/public resource center, member/medical professional resource center.

Autism.com
The Autism Research Institute (ARI), a non-profit organization  has devoted its work to conducting research, and to disseminating the results of research, on the triggers of autism and on methods of diagnosing and treating autism. We provide research-based information to parents and professionals around the world.

Baltimore County Commission on Disabilities
Contact information for services and issues regarding accessibility, advocacy, counseling, education, employment, emergency assistance, equipment, housing, income, legal assistance, medical services,  recreation, transportation, parking, and other services for adults and children with disabilities.

Best of the Web: Mental Health Disorders
A powerful portal for topics relating to mental health issues.

Black's Medical Dictionary   ★

Cancer.gov
National Cancer Institute homepage, with research and statistics, news and clinical trials

Center Watch (Clinical Trials Listing Service)
Listing of clinical trials being conducted in research centers throughout the U.S.

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Health information, data and statistics, alphabetical listing of diseases and health topics, other health resources.

Children With Disabilities
National information and referral center that provides information on disabilities and disability-related issues for families, educators, and other professionals.

Disabilities Resources
Information to help people with disabilities live independently.

HIV / AIDS Web Resources and Information for Maryland 
Hotlines, medical and legal assistance programs, medication resources, support groups and other information for Marylanders.

iwannaknow.org
Health information for teens, plus answers to questions about teen sexual health and sexually transmitted diseases.

Maryland Poison Center 
The Maryland Poison Center is certified by the American Association of Poison Control Centers (AAPCC) as a regional poison center providing poisoning triage, treatment, education, and prevention services to all Marylanders. This service is staffed by pharmacists and nurses, who have specialized clinical toxicology training, 24 hours a day, every day of the year.

Mental Health Net
Information on depression, anxiety, panic attacks, chronic fatigue syndrome and substance abuse.

The Merck Manual Home Edition
Lists medical conditions and disease, as well as articles about health issues.

Mesothelioma
One-stop resource features information on asbestos, mesothelioma, and other cancers caused by asbestos exposure. Emphasis is on how to avoid exposure to asbestos. Extensive treatment options are given. Sponsored by the Mesothelioma Cancer Center.
 

National Clearinghouse for Alcohol and Drug Information
Extensive information on addiction, behavior and treatment.

National Institutes of Health - Office of Rare Diseases
Information for patients and their families with rare diseases and about NIH- and ORD-sponsored biomedical research and scientific conferences.

Reproductive Health
Information and links to Maryland resources, from the Maryland Family Planning and Reproductive Health Program

Sexually Transmitted Diseases
Facts and answers about STDs from the American Social Health Association.

Spine-health.com
Resources and articles on topics related to back pain and neck pain.
 

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Medical Journals and Online Resources

Consumer Health Catalog
Download or order health-related catalogs and brochures from the Federal Citizen Information Center.

Health and Medical Science
From the Internet Public Library, covers mental, physical and preventative health.

Health and Medicine
From the Librarians Index to the Internet, annotated sites on a variety of health topics.

Health Hotlines
Online database of health-related organizations with toll-free telephone numbers. Includes address and web site information for each and links to information in Spanish. Searchable by subject or keyword. Provided by the National Library of Medicine.

Health Source Databases    A library card registered with Baltimore County Public Library is needed for access:
                                       

• Health Source Nursing/Academic editions provide nearly 600 scholarly full text journals covering many medical disciplines with an emphasis on nursing and allied health.  Indexing and abstracting for an additional 50 journals is also featured.

• MEDLINEplus
  Health information from the National Library of Medicine. Extensive information from the National Institute of Health and other sources on over 500 diseases and conditions. Lists of hospitals and physicians, a medical encyclopedia and dictionaries, health information in Spanish, extensive information on prescription and nonprescription drugs, health information from the media, and links to thousands of clinical trials.
   

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Medicines and Drug Information

AARP
Articles and links to information on Medicare prescription drug coverage from AARP.

The New Medicare Prescription Drug Program
Details about the program and options. Links to additional sources of information.

Baltimore County Prescription Discount Card
A program to provide a discount off the retail price of prescription drugs. Available to all Baltimore County residents.

Maryland Board of Pharmacy 
Links to FDA alerts and notices, drug-interaction information, pending health legislation, medical news and information, consumer education, and other drug-related information. Verify pharmacist licenses.

Maryland Senior Prescription Drug Assistance Program 
A subsidy program established by the Maryland Health Insurance Plan (MHIP) through the Medicare Modernization Act and the Health Insurance Safety Net Act of 2002, to provide premium assistance to moderate-income Maryland residents for the purchase of outpatient prescription drugs and who are eligible for Medicare and are enrolled in a prescription drug plan.

National Institute on Drug Abuse
The latest scientific information on drug abuse and treatment strategies.

RxList
Information on brand name and generic drugs. Includes warnings and adverse reactions.

Substance Abuse Treatment Facility Locator
An on-line resource for locating drug and alcohol abuse treatment programs.
 

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General Information

Baltimore County Department of Health
Links to information about health services for Baltimore County residents, locations of local health centers, answers to frequently asked health questions, health awareness and education, regional health statistics, and other health-related information.

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention - Family Health
A site focused on the ABC.s of raising safe and healthy kids and teens. Contains podcasts as well as links to a wealth of information from the CDC with an emphasis on wellness and prevention.

Healthfinder
Government and nonprofit health and human services information.

Kids Health
Doctor-approved health information about children from before birth through adolescence.

Maryland Department of Health and Mental Hygiene
Regulates health care providers, facilities, and organizations. Consumers can access to a wide range of informational and educational health care-related topics from local, state and federal sources. Links to the Division of Vital Records for information on obtaining Birth Certificates and other records.

Maryland Health Careers
From the Maryland Hospital Association, a guide to exploring health careers

Maryland Institute for Emergency Medical Service Systems
State and local information on emergency medical care and other emergency medicine resources.

MayoClinic.com
Medical and health information and tools from the Mayo Clinic. Sponsored by the Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research.

MealCall
Meals on Wheels and other senior meal programs can be found here, or one can be located for you

Quackwatch
Find out about health-related frauds, myths, fads and fallacies.
 

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