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Community and Internet Resources


Health and Care: Government Agencies / Benefits


National

Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, formerly the Health Care Financing Administration, oversees the United States' public health care programs, including Medicare, Medicaid, and the State Children's Health Insurance Program. Their website offers a great deal of information on each of the programs for consumers and professionals.

Department of Health and Human Services is a U.S. government agency protecting health and providing human services. It includes several subordinate organizations including the Agency for Health Care Policy and Research, Health Care Financing Administration, National Institute for Health and Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. It provides among its topics, Healthfinder and Human Services information research and a complete list of HHS Agencies on the Internet.

FirstGov for Consumers offers much information for health care consumers. Their website features information on how to choose a quality health care plan, how to improve health care quality, and information on various types of long-term and interim insurance plans. They also suggest ways in which an individual can file a claim when health care benefits have been denied. Their website also features health news.

Health Finder is a free, comprehensive online guide to reliable consumer health and human services information, developed by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Their website features a library of information on prevention and wellness, diseases & conditions, and alternative medicine. Also included is information about doctors, dentists, public clinics, hospitals, long term care, nursing homes, health insurance, prescriptions, health fraud, Medicare, Medicaid, and medical privacy. Their website also features health-related news.

New Sign Medicaid Reference Desk is a website that provides information about Medicaid for people with developmental disabilities in 11 states, including California, Colorado, Iowa, Maryland, Montana, New Hampshire, New York, Oklahoma, Oregon, South Carolina and Wisconsin. Information is offered on home-based, community, employment and health related Medicaid programs. To learn more about the programs available in your state, visit this website.

National Center on Birth Defects and Developmental Disabilities, Disability and Health Program "fosters the development of knowledge and interventions needed to reduce and prevent secondary conditions among persons with congenital or acquired physical, cognitive, or sensory impairments." Disability and Health provides support to the following states: Alabama, Arkansas, District of Columbia, Iowa, Kansas, Massachusetts, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, Oregon, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Texas, and Washington. Their website offers each state's activities and provides contact information for each program. Their website also features a listing of news and current events and offers links relevant to individuals with developmental disabilities.

State Listings

Alabama

Alabama Department of Mental Health and Mental Retardation offers a number of programs for those with mental retardation that will offer support from birth to death. There are several developmental centers that provide residential services. They also offer day services, support services, advocacy services and case management. Their website offers a media center as well as links to several related websites. For more information, visit their website.

Arizona

Arizona Department of Health Services (ADHS) offers an enormous amount of information, such as programs and services, health alerts, news releases, statistics and links to other divisions within the ADHS.

Arizona Health Care Cost Containment System (AHCCCS) is Arizona's Medicaid program. The website offers information on health plans, long term care, providers and more. The website also offers information on policies, publications, statistics and more. They are located at 801 E. Jefferson, Phoenix, Arizona 85034. They can be contacted by telephone at 602-417-4000.

California

San Francisco Department of Public Health has a mission to protect and promote the health of all San Franciscans. The Department works to provide quality, comprehensive, health services that ensure equal access to all, regardless of economic status. To meet this mission, they have developed the Community Health Network, a network of city health care providers and resources that can help individuals understand and access necessary health care services. For more information, call (415) 554-2500.

Georgia

Georgia Department of Community Health has a Division of Medical Assistance that outlines Medicaid eligibility requirements in the state of Georgia that can be found on their website. The website also features public notices and a calendar of public meetings in addition to abundant information about state programs and services.

South Carolina

South Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) offers substantial information about health-related services and programs available throughout South Carolina. The website features public notices, DHHS programs, Medicaid information, publications, manuals and forms, reports and statistics, frequently asked questions as well as links to other health agencies. For more information, visit their website or call (803) 898-2500.

Texas

Texas Department of Human Services (DHS) has a community care program for individuals with disabilities. These programs are designed to keep individuals in their community rather than in a care facility. Some of the programs offered include adult foster care, client managed attendant services, community-based living assistance and support, day activity, emergency response, family care services, in-home and family support services, and primary home care. The website also features information on the Texas Medicaid program including a frequently asked questions section. For more information about the programs provided by DHS visit their website or call (512) 438-3280 (Voice) or (888) 425-6889 (TDD)

Wisconsin

Wisconsin Department of Health and Family Services provides press releases, initiatives and reports, and information about the department, programs and services, regulation and licensing and job opportunities at DHFS.

Wisconsin's BadgerCare, through the Department of Health and Family Services (DHFS) provides health coverage for uninsured families who do not qualify for Medicaid. For more information, visit the BadgerCare website, or read NHU's article on "Wisconsin's BadgerCare Program for Uninsured Families".

For more on the topic of Health and Care:

Community and Internet Resources / Editorials / FAQ / Guides / Legislation and Rights / Books

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[Updated July 31, 2003]
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