OTHER USEFUL LINKS TO ASSIST YOU IN BEING MORE INFORMED AND TO HELP YOU MAKE BETTER HEALTH CARE DECISIONS:

***

Health insurance plan finder and marketplace calculator

I don’t have health insurance, but need health care services, what do I do?

Here are some sites to search for health plan options, with estimated prices you would expect to pay based on your income or plan type:

• Kaiser Family Foundation – health insurance marketplace calculator

• Nerdwallet – recommends different health insurance plans after collecting family information

• Washington Health Healthplanfinder– the official Affordable Care Act-compliant health benefit exchange for Washington State

• MoneyGeek- cost comparison of health insurance plans purchased through Washington's private insurance market

*** 

Questions to ask your doctor, pharmacist, or surgeon

Your health depends on good communication with your doctor and pharmacist. Here are some online resources to help you know what questions to ask.

Questions for the doctor:

• Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality – 10 questions you should know to ask your doctor

Questions for the pharmacist about your medication:

• University of Pittsburgh Schools of the Health Sciences

Questions to ask before having surgery:

• American College of Surgeons

***

Questions about procedures, tests, and treatments

Here are online resources to help you learn more about medical tests and procedures.

• Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research – provides an alphabetical list of tests and procedures with explanations including why they’re done and any risks
• WebMD – provides alphabetical list of tests and procedures and why they are important

***

Procedure cost look-up

Health cost calculators can help you estimate your costs for medical services and procedures in the ZIP code where you receive care.

• Fair Health
• Guroo

***

Health care provider look-up

Use this tool to find and compare providers by provider, city or zip code.

• Propublica.org

 ***

State of Washington health resources

Here are some Washington State resources where you can go to learn more about health insurance, programs and services to prevent illness and injury, promote healthy choices, and provide information.

• Washington State Health Care Authority: Administrator of the Washington statewide all payer health care claims database (WA-APCD) to support transparent public reporting of health care information
• Department of Health
• Department of Social and Health Services: Food, Cash & Medical; Mental Health & Addiction Services
• Health Care Authority: Apple Health (Medicaid) coverage; Washington Prescription Drug Program
• Office of the Insurance Commissioner: Learn all about health insurance; Learn about Medicare
• Department of Veterans Affairs: Claims Assistance
• Washington State Hospital Association
• Washington State Medical Association
• Washington State Department of Labor & Industries: Safety & Health

***

Federal agency health resources

Here are some Federal agencies where you can go to learn more about health promotion and disease prevention, and federal programs like Medicare.

• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
• Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services

***

Consumer advocates/help for financial, insurer disputes, or other needs

• Washington State Office of the Insurance Commissioner