Helpful Links For Providers
Davis Vision
http://www.davisvision.com
Davis Vision was the first vision care preferred provider organization to receive accreditation from the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations (JCAHO) and currently serves over 35 million members nationally. Its provider network-credentialing program has been certified by the NCQA. The company administers vision and eyeglass services through an extensive network of nearly 20,000 participating providers, which include ophthalmologists, optometrists, opticians and many of the nation's premier retail centers. The Davis Vision network is open to all licensed professionals who meet its standards and consists of independent optometrists, ophthalmologists, and opticians as well as many of the country's premier point-of-service retail centers. This blended network provides members with tremendous choice and flexibility. Davis Vision was acquired by Highmark Inc. in 1996 and is based in Plainview, New York.
Government Links
Pennsylvania Department of Public Welfare
http://www.dpw.state.pa.us
The Pennsylvania Department of Public Welfare is the state's resource for information regarding welfare reform.
Pennsylvania Department of Health
http://www.health.state.pa.us
The Pennsylvania Department of Health has been promoting the health and well being of Pennsylvania citizens since 1905. As we engage today's rapidly changing world, the Internet has become an effective and important tool that allows the Department to reach and educate more and more people. Web visitors can quickly and conveniently access current health statistics, request a copy of a birth certificate, browse through the Department's catalog of publications, locate the nearest local health department and learn the latest information on public health issues at their finger tips.
Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services
http://www.cms.gov
As of July 1, 2001, the Health Care Financing Administration (HCFA) is now the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS).
Department of Health and Human Services
http://www.hhs.gov
The Department Of Health And Human Services is the United States government's principal agency for protecting the health of all Americans and providing essential human services, especially for those who are least able to help themselves.
National Institute of Health
http://www.nih.gov
NIH is the steward of medical and behavioral research for the Nation. Its mission is science in pursuit of fundamental knowledge about the nature and behavior of living systems and the application of that knowledge to extend healthy life and reduce the burdens of illness and disability. The goals of the agency are as follows: 1) foster fundamental creative discoveries, innovative research strategies, and their applications as a basis to advance significantly the nation's capacity to protect and improve health; 2) develop, maintain, and renew scientific human and physical resources that will assure the Nation's capability to prevent disease; 3) expand the knowledge base in medical and associated sciences in order to enhance the Nation's economic well-being and ensure a continued high return on the public investment in research; and 4) exemplify and promote the highest level of scientific integrity, public accountability, and social responsibility in the conduct of science.
Center for Disease Control
http://www.cdc.gov
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is recognized as the lead federal agency for protecting the health and safety of people - at home and abroad, providing credible information to enhance health decisions, and promoting health through strong partnerships. CDC serves as the national focus for developing and applying disease prevention and control, environmental health, and health promotion and education activities designed to improve the health of the people of the United States.
Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality
http://www.ahrq.gov
The Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) research provides evidence-based information on health care outcomes; quality; and cost, use, and access. Information from AHRQ's research helps people make more informed decisions and improve the quality of health care services. AHRQ was formerly known as the Agency for Health Care Policy and Research.
Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry
http://www.atsdr.cdc.gov
The mission of the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR), as an agency of the US Department of Health and Human Services is to serve the public by using the best science, taking responsive public health actions, and providing trusted health information to prevent harmful exposures and disease related to toxic substances. ATSDR is directed by congressional mandate to perform specific functions concerning the effect on public health of hazardous substances in the environment. These functions include public health assessments of waste sites, health consultations concerning specific hazardous substances, health surveillance and registries, response to emergency releases of hazardous substances, applied research in support of public health assessments, information development and dissemination, and education and training concerning hazardous substances.
Food and Drug Administration
http://www.fda.gov
The Food and Drug Administration is one of the nation's oldest and most respected consumer protection agencies. Stated most simply, FDA's mission is to promote and protect the public health by helping safe and effective products reach the market in a timely way, and monitoring products for continued safety after they are in use.
Health Resources and Services Administration
http://www.hrsa.gov
The Health Resources and Services Administration's mission is to improve and expand access to quality health care for all. Its' goal is moving toward 100 percent access to health care and 0 health disparities for all Americans. The Access Agency of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, HRSA assures the availability of quality health care to low income, uninsured, isolated, vulnerable and special needs populations and meets their unique health care needs.
Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration
http://www.samhsa.gov
SAMHSA is the Federal agency charged with improving the quality and availability of prevention, treatment, and rehabilitative services in order to reduce illness, death, disability, and cost to society resulting from substance abuse and mental illnesses.
American's with Disabilities Act Homepage
http://www.ada.gov
The American's with Disabilities Act website is an information resource for changing regulations and information regarding the American's with Disabilities Act.
Preventive Health Links
American Cancer Society
http://www.cancer.org
The American Cancer Society is the nationwide community- based voluntary health organization dedicated to eliminating cancer as a major health problem by preventing cancer, saving lives, and diminishing suffering from cancer, through research, education, advocacy, and service.
National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute
http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov
The National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI) provides leadership for a national program in diseases of the heart, blood vessels, lung, and blood; blood resources; and sleep disorders. Since October 1997, the NHLBI has also had administrative responsibility for the NIH Woman's Health Initiative. The Institute plans, conducts, fosters, and supports an integrated and coordinated program of basic research, clinical investigations and trials, observational studies, and demonstration and education projects. The NHLBI plans and directs research in development and evaluation of interventions and devices related to prevention, treatment, and rehabilitation of patients suffering from such diseases and disorders. It also supports research on clinical use of blood and all aspects of the management of blood resources.
American Diabetes Association
http://www.diabetes.org
The American Diabetes Association is the nation's leading nonprofit health organization providing diabetes research, information and advocacy. The mission of the organization is to prevent and cure diabetes and to improve the lives of all people affected by diabetes.
American Heart Association
http://www.americanheart.org
The American Heart Association is a national voluntary health agency whose mission is to reduce disability and death from cardiovascular diseases and stroke.
National Cancer Institute
http://www.nci.nih.gov
The National Cancer Institute (NCI) is a component of the National Institutes of Health (NIH), one of eight agencies that compose the Public Health Service (PHS) in the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS). The National Cancer Institute coordinates the National Cancer Program, which conducts and supports research, training, health information dissemination, and other programs with respect to the cause, diagnosis, prevention, and treatment of cancer, rehabilitation from cancer, and the continuing care of cancer patients and the families of cancer patients.
TOPS® Weight Loss Support Group
http://www.tops.org
TOPS® is an international family of 235,000 members of all ages, sizes, and shapes, dedicated to helping each other lose weight safely and take off pounds sensibly.
La Leche League
http://www.lalecheleague.org
La Leche League is the only organization with the sole purpose of helping breastfeeding mothers. La Leche League Groups meet regularly in communities worldwide to share breastfeeding information and mothering experience.
Association Links
American Association of Health Plans
http://www.aahp.org
The American Association of Health Plans (AAHP) is the nation's principal association of health plans, representing more than 1,000 plans that provide coverage for approximately 170 million Americans nationwide. Member plans include health maintenance organizations (HMOs), preferred provider organizations (PPOs), other similar health plans and utilization review organizations (UROs).
American Hospital Association
http://www.hospitalconnect.com
HospitalConnectTM links together the Internet sites for dozens of organizations serving health care providers. This health leadership portal, found at hospitalconnect.com, makes it faster and more convenient for you to access information from member sites, no matter where you are going within the HospitalConnectTM family. HospitalConnectTM provides: 1)the ability to search all sites within the portal with a single entry - just write what you want to find in the search box alongside the HospitalConnectTM logo, and 2) an online store.
American Academy of Pediatrics
http://www.aap.org
The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) and its member pediatricians dedicate their efforts and resources to the health, safety and well-being of all infants, children, adolescents and young adults.
American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists
http://www.acog.com
ACOG works primarily in four areas: 1) Serving as a strong advocate for quality health care for women, 2) Maintaining the highest standards of clinical practice and continuing education for its members, 3) Promoting patient education and stimulating patient understanding of and involvement in medical care, and 4) Increasing awareness among its members and the public of the changing issues facing women's health care.
Other Links
Web MD
http://www.webmd.com
WebMD Corporation is the leader in providing services that help physicians, consumers, providers and health plans navigate the complexity of the healthcare system. Their products and services streamline administrative and clinical processes, promote efficiency and reduce costs by facilitating information exchange, communication and electronic transactions between healthcare participants.
National Committee for Quality Assurance
http://www.ncqa.org
NCQA is an independent, non-profit organization whose mission is to improve health care quality everywhere. NCQA evaluates health care in three different ways: through accreditation (a rigorous on-site review of key clinical and administrative processes); through the Health Plan Employer Data and Information Set (HEDIS® -- a tool used to measure performance in key areas like immunization and mammography screening rates); and through a comprehensive member satisfaction survey.
Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association
http://www.bcbs.com
The Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association is the trade association for the independent, locally operated Blue Cross and Blue Shield Plans. They are proven consumer health advocates, always with the public's best interests at heart.
Highmark Blue Cross and Blue Shield
http://www.highmark.com
Highmark Inc. is a Pennsylvania-based nonprofit corporation that provides a range of insurance products to its approximately 23 million members in the state and across the nation. They operate as Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield in Western Pennsylvania and as Highmark Blue Shield in the rest of the state, partnering with Blue Cross of Northeastern Pennsylvania and Independence Blue Cross.
Institute of Medicine
http://www.iom.edu
The mission of the Institute of Medicine is to advance and disseminate scientific knowledge to improve human health. The Institute provides objective, timely, authoritative information and advice concerning health and science policy to government, the corporate sector, the professions and the public.
American Red Cross
http://www.redcross.org
The American Red Cross, a humanitarian organization led by volunteers, guided by its Congressional Charter and the Fundamental Principles of the International Red Cross Movement, will provide relief to victims of disasters and help people prevent, prepare for, and respond to emergencies.
Healthology
http://www.healthology.com
HEALTHOLOGY is the leading producer and distributor of physician-generated health and medical information on the Internet. With the largest and most distinguished library of original, streaming health programs and physician-authored articles on the Web, Healthology provides companies with seamless solutions for their online health information and marketing needs.
Healthy People 2010
http://www.healthypeople.gov
Healthy People 2010 is the prevention agenda for the Nation. It is a statement of national health objectives designed to identify the most significant preventable threats to health and to establish national goals to reduce these threats.
CNN's Health Page
http://www.cnn.com/health
CNN.com's Health page is a great resource for finding information and news articles on up-to-date happenings in the health arena.
Consumer Coalition for Quality Healthcare
http://www.consumers.org
The Consumer Coalition for Quality Health Care is a national, non-profit membership organization of consumer groups dedicated to protecting and improving the quality of health care for all Americans. To fulfill its mission, the Consumer Coalition advocates for consumer protection and quality improvement programs and policies in the public and private sectors. Our members are a diverse group of organizations representing over 35 million people that include the elderly, children, the disabled, nurses, hospital workers and public employees.
healthfinder®
http://www.healthfinder.gov
healthfinder® is an award-winning Federal Web site, developed by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services together with other Federal agencies. Since 1997, healthfinder® has been recognized as a key resource for finding the best government and nonprofit health and human services information on the Internet. healthfinder® links to carefully selected information and Web sites from over 1,700 health-related organizations.
Professional Association of Healthcare Office Management Specializing in Physician Practice Management (PAHCOM)
http://www.pahcom.com
PAHCOM is a communications network and support system dedicated to enhancing productivity and efficiency. Through increased knowledge of basic health care management principles, continuing education, and networking opportunities designed to solve medical management problems, PAHCOM members gain the edge.
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