Hand-curated patient guides
Insurance is designed to be confusing. These resources help you decode your plan, understand your rights before a claim is denied, and know exactly what questions to ask your HR department or insurer.
Healthcare.gov · Official
Health Insurance Glossary
Plain-language definitions for deductible, copay, coinsurance, out-of-pocket maximum, premium, and 50+ more terms. The essential decoder ring for your plan documents.
Free AccessUS Government
CMS.gov · Official
How to Appeal an Insurance Denial
Your federal rights to appeal a denied claim — internal appeal, external review, and the timelines insurers must follow. More claims are overturned on appeal than most patients realize.
Free AccessUS Government
KFF · Health Policy Research
State Consumer Assistance Programs
Find free state-based helpers who can advocate on your behalf with your insurer — many states have navigators and ombudsmen most patients don't know exist.
Free AccessFind Help
US Dept. of Labor · Official
Your ERISA Rights — Employer-Sponsored Plans
If you get insurance through an employer, ERISA gives you specific rights to plan documents, claim information, and appeals. Most employees don't know them.
Free AccessUS Government
Healthcare.gov · Official
Understanding Job-Based Health Insurance
What employer plans must cover, when you can change plans, COBRA rights if you leave a job, and how to compare plan options during open enrollment.
Free AccessUS Government
Patient Advocate Foundation
Understanding Health Insurance — Patient Guide
Patient-centered guide to reading your Explanation of Benefits (EOB), understanding what insurers can and cannot do, and navigating coverage disputes for serious illness.
Free AccessPatient Focus
CMS.gov · Official
No Surprises Act — Know Your Rights
The No Surprises Act limits unexpected out-of-network bills. This official CMS guide explains what's covered, what to do if you get a surprise bill, and how to dispute it.
Free AccessUS Government
KFF · Health Policy
Health Insurance Subsidy Calculator
Enter your income and family size to see exactly what federal subsidies you qualify for on the ACA marketplace — often thousands of dollars per year most people leave on the table.
Free ToolInteractive
Medicare has four parts, dozens of plan types, and annual open enrollment windows most people miss. These resources help you compare plans, understand what's covered, and avoid costly mistakes at enrollment.
Medicare.gov · Official
Get Started with Medicare
The official CMS guide to enrolling in Medicare, understanding Parts A and B, when to sign up, and what happens if you delay enrollment.
Free AccessUS Government
Medicare.gov · Official
Medicare Plan Finder — Compare All Plans
Enter your zip code and medications to compare every Medicare Advantage and Part D drug plan available in your area — cost, coverage, and star ratings side by side.
Free ToolInteractiveUS Government
KFF · Health Policy
Medicare Advantage — What You're Actually Getting
KFF's annual deep-dive into what Medicare Advantage plans cover, what they cost out of pocket, and how they differ from traditional Medicare. Essential reading before enrollment.
Free Access
Medicare.gov · Official
How to Compare Medigap (Supplement) Policies
Medigap fills gaps in traditional Medicare. This guide explains the standardized plan letters (Plan G, Plan N, etc.) and how to compare premiums in your state.
Free AccessUS Government
SHIP · Free Counseling
State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP)
Free, unbiased Medicare counseling from trained volunteers in every state. No sales pitch — just help understanding your options. Find your local SHIP counselor here.
Free CounselingFind Local Help
Medicare.gov · Official
Medicare Costs at a Glance
Current year premiums, deductibles, and coinsurance for Medicare Parts A, B, and D. Updated annually — bookmark this for open enrollment season.
Free AccessUS Government
You have the right to verify your doctor's training, board certification, and disciplinary history. You can also see which pharmaceutical companies have paid your doctor. These are all public record — most patients never look.
ABMS · Board Certification
Verify Board Certification — CertificationMatters.org
The American Board of Medical Specialties official lookup — verify that your doctor is board certified in their claimed specialty and that certification is current.
Free ToolOfficial Lookup
FSMB · Disciplinary History
DocInfo.org — Physician Disciplinary Records
The Federation of State Medical Boards' national lookup for physician disciplinary actions, license suspensions, and revocations across all 50 states.
Free ToolOfficial Database
CMS Open Payments · Official
What Pharma Pays Your Doctor — Open Payments Search
Federal database showing every payment a pharmaceutical or device company has made to your physician — speaking fees, meals, consulting, and research funding. Public record.
Free ToolUS GovernmentInteractive
Medicare Care Compare · Official
Find & Compare Physicians — Medicare
Medicare's official physician search — see if your doctor accepts Medicare, their medical school, residency training, and any Medicare sanctions.
Free ToolUS Government
ProPublica · Investigative
Surgeon Scorecard — Complication Rates
ProPublica's analysis of complication rates for individual surgeons performing eight elective procedures. Search by surgeon name before scheduling an elective surgery.
Free ToolSurgeon Search
AMA · Professional
AMA DoctorFinder — Training & Credentials
The American Medical Association's physician finder — look up where your doctor went to medical school, completed residency, and what year they were licensed.
Free Tool
If you're facing a surgery or major procedure, where you have it done matters enormously. Infection rates, complication rates, readmission rates — these vary significantly between hospitals. You have the right to know, and to choose.
Leapfrog Group · Safety
Hospital Safety Grade — Leapfrog
Hospitals graded A through F on patient safety — infections, errors, accidents, and injuries. Published twice per year. One of the most actionable ratings for patients choosing where to have a procedure done.
Free ToolSearch by Zip
U.S. News & World Report
Best Hospitals — National Rankings by Specialty
U.S. News annual rankings of hospitals by specialty — cardiology, oncology, orthopedics, neurology, and 14 more. Essential when you're choosing where to have a specific procedure or seeking specialist care.
Free AccessSearch by Specialty
Medicare Care Compare · Official
Compare Hospitals — Medicare
CMS's official hospital comparison — readmission rates, patient experience scores (HCAHPS), timely care, and mortality rates for heart attack, heart failure, and pneumonia. The most comprehensive federal data available.
Free ToolUS GovernmentInteractive
The Joint Commission
Accreditation Lookup — Joint Commission
Look up whether any hospital, surgical center, or lab is accredited by The Joint Commission — the gold standard for hospital safety and quality accreditation in the US.
Free ToolAccreditation Body
CMS.gov · Official
CMS Hospital Star Ratings
CMS's overall 1–5 star hospital quality ratings based on 46 quality measures — mortality, readmissions, safety, patient experience, timely care, and effective care. Updated annually.
Free ToolUS Government
AHRQ · Official Federal Research
Hospital Patient Safety Data — AHRQ
The Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality's hospital patient safety indicators — federal data on preventable complications, healthcare-acquired conditions, and safety events.
Free AccessUS Government
NCI · Cancer Centers
NCI-Designated Cancer Centers
The National Cancer Institute's official list of designated cancer centers — the gold standard in cancer care. If you or a loved one is facing a cancer diagnosis, these centers have demonstrated research and clinical excellence.
Free ToolUS GovernmentFind by State
ProPublica · Investigative
ProPublica Surgeon Scorecard
Complication rates for individual surgeons by procedure — hip and knee replacements, cholecystectomy, hysterectomy, and more. Search before scheduling elective surgery.
Free ToolSurgeon Search
Most appointments run 15–20 minutes. How you prepare determines how much you get out of that time — the questions you ask, the records you bring, and how clearly you can describe what's happening to you.
AHRQ · Official
Questions Are the Answer — AHRQ
The federal guide to asking the right questions at every type of medical appointment. Includes ready-to-print question lists for new diagnoses, medications, tests, and surgery.
Free AccessUS GovernmentPrint-Ready
Mayo Clinic
How to Get the Most Out of Your Doctor's Appointment
Mayo Clinic's guide to preparing your medical history, prioritizing concerns, and communicating clearly — including how to bring a companion and when to ask for more time.
Free Access
HealthIT.gov · Official
How to Access Your Health Records
Your legal right to your medical records, how to request them, how long providers must respond, and how to use patient portals — before your next appointment.
Free AccessUS Government
ClinicalTrials.gov · Official
Search Clinical Trials — Find Open Studies
Before your appointment, search for clinical trials relevant to your condition. Asking your doctor "Am I eligible for any trials?" is one of the most powerful questions a patient can ask.
Free ToolUS GovernmentInteractive
FDA Patient Network · Official
Understanding Drug & Device Approvals
The FDA's patient-facing resource for understanding drug approvals, Breakthrough Therapy designations, and how to evaluate newly approved treatments before discussing with your doctor.
Free AccessUS Government
Medical bills are negotiable more often than hospitals want you to know. Billing errors are common. Financial assistance programs exist at nearly every major hospital. These resources help you fight back — legally and effectively.
CMS · Hospital Price Transparency
Hospital Price Transparency — Federal Rule
Hospitals are now required by federal law to publish their prices. This CMS page explains how to find and use a hospital's chargemaster and shoppable services list before you receive care.
Free AccessUS Government
Patient Advocate Foundation
Medical Debt Resources & Negotiation Guide
How to request an itemized bill, identify billing errors, negotiate balances with hospitals, apply for charity care, and dispute collections. One of the most comprehensive patient-facing guides available.
Free AccessAction Guide
RxAssist · Medication Assistance
Patient Assistance Programs — Find Free Medications
Directory of pharmaceutical company patient assistance programs — many manufacturers offer free or deeply discounted medications for patients who qualify. Organized by drug name and manufacturer.
Free ToolFind by Drug
NPR · Journalism
Bill of the Month — NPR
NPR's ongoing investigative series breaks down real, outrageous medical bills submitted by patients — revealing how billing errors, surprise charges, and inflated prices happen, and how patients fought back. Essential reading for understanding how bills work in practice.
Free AccessReal Cases
KFF Health News · Journalism
Bill of the Month Archives — KFF Health News
KFF Health News dissects real patient medical bills in depth — uncovering how charges are constructed, what insurers actually pay, and what patients can do. Combines investigative journalism with health policy expertise. A companion to the NPR series, with deeper analysis of the billing system behind each case.
Free AccessReal Cases
CFPB · Official
Medical Debt — Consumer Financial Protection Bureau
Your rights around medical debt collection, credit reporting, and new federal protections limiting medical debt on credit reports. Know your rights before a collector calls.
Free AccessUS Government
Patients have more rights than they're typically told about — the right to refuse treatment, the right to see all records, the right to a second opinion without losing your current care. These are the ones that matter most.
HHS.gov · Official
Your Health Privacy Rights — HIPAA for Patients
The official HHS consumer guide to HIPAA — what your medical information can and cannot be shared, how to request your records, and how to file a complaint if your privacy is violated.
Free AccessUS Government
The Joint Commission
Speak Up — Your Rights as a Hospital Patient
The Joint Commission's Speak Up program — printable guides on your rights in a hospital: the right to know who is treating you, to refuse treatment, to have pain managed, and to a safe discharge.
Free AccessPrint-Ready
Medicare.gov · Official
Your Medicare Rights
The rights every Medicare beneficiary has — including the right to a second opinion before surgery, the right to appeal coverage decisions, and the right to emergency care anywhere.
Free AccessUS Government
AHRQ · Official
How to Ask for a Second Opinion
The federal guide to seeking a second medical opinion — how to ask your doctor, how to get your records transferred, and when a second opinion is most important.
Free AccessUS Government
CMS.gov · Official
Understanding Your Medicare Summary Notice
How to read your Medicare Summary Notice (MSN) — what was billed, what Medicare paid, what you owe, and how to spot fraud or billing errors. Essential quarterly reading.
Free AccessUS Government
Your primary care doctor isn't always the right person to manage a complex condition. Knowing how to find the right specialist — especially for rare, complex, or serious diagnoses — can change your outcome.
ABMS · Official
Find a Board-Certified Specialist — ABMS
Search for board-certified specialists by specialty — cardiology, endocrinology, oncology, neurology, and 37 more. The official American Board of Medical Specialties lookup.
Free ToolOfficial Lookup
U.S. News & World Report
Find Specialists by Specialty — US News
US News hospital rankings by specialty help you identify which academic medical centers have the strongest programs in your area of concern — from orthopedics to rare diseases.
Free AccessSearch by Specialty
NIH GARD · Rare Diseases
Find Organizations for Rare Diseases — NIH
For complex or rare diagnoses, the NIH's Genetic and Rare Diseases Information Center connects patients with disease-specific advocacy groups and centers of excellence across the US.
Free AccessUS Government
Medicare Care Compare · Official
Search Physicians by Specialty — Medicare
Find Medicare-accepting physicians by specialty and location — with training background and Medicare participation status. Useful for verifying a referral is in-network.
Free ToolUS GovernmentInteractive
NCI · Cancer Specialists
NCI-Designated Cancer Centers — Find Oncology Specialists
For cancer diagnoses, NCI-designated centers are the gold standard. Their oncology teams handle the most complex cases and have access to the newest clinical trials.
Free ToolUS Government
ClinicalTrials.gov · Official
Find Trials — Often Leads to Leading Specialists
Searching clinical trials for your condition reveals which medical centers are running studies — and those centers are often where the leading specialists in that condition practice.
Free ToolUS GovernmentInteractive
Screening catches disease before you have symptoms — when treatment is most effective and least expensive. Most Americans are behind on at least one recommended screening. These are the authoritative guidelines, organized by condition. The US Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) is what most doctors and insurers follow — an "A" or "B" recommendation means your insurance must cover it with no cost-sharing.
USPSTF · Official Guidelines
All A & B Recommendations — US Preventive Services Task Force
The master list of every screening the USPSTF recommends with an A or B grade — meaning your insurance is required by law to cover it at no cost to you. Start here for a complete picture of what you should be getting.
Free AccessGold Standard
USPSTF · Official
Colorectal Cancer Screening (Colonoscopy) — Guidelines
USPSTF recommends screening starting at age 45 for average-risk adults, through age 75. Options include colonoscopy every 10 years, annual stool tests, or CT colonography. Grade A recommendation — fully covered by most insurance.
Free AccessGrade A · Covered
USPSTF · Official
Breast Cancer Screening (Mammograms) — Guidelines
USPSTF recommends mammograms every other year for women ages 40–74 (updated 2024 — age lowered from 50). Grade B recommendation. The American Cancer Society recommends annual mammograms starting at 40 — ask your doctor which schedule fits your risk profile.
Free AccessGrade B · Covered
USPSTF · Official
Prostate Cancer Screening (PSA) — Guidelines
For men ages 55–69, USPSTF gives PSA screening a Grade C — meaning the decision should be individualized based on your values and risk factors. Black men and those with a family history of prostate cancer should discuss earlier screening with their doctor. Men 70+ are generally advised against routine PSA screening.
Free AccessGrade C · Discuss with Doctor
USPSTF · Official
Lung Cancer Screening (Low-Dose CT) — Guidelines
Annual low-dose CT scan recommended for adults ages 50–80 who have a 20 pack-year smoking history and currently smoke or quit within the past 15 years. Grade B — covered by insurance. One of the highest-impact screenings available for eligible patients — lung cancer caught early is often curable.
Free AccessGrade B · Covered
USPSTF · Official
Cholesterol & Cardiovascular Risk Screening — Guidelines
USPSTF recommends lipid screening as part of cardiovascular risk assessment for adults 40–75. Abnormal cholesterol often has no symptoms. Paired with blood pressure screening, this assessment determines your 10-year heart attack and stroke risk — and whether a statin is appropriate.
Free AccessGrade B · Covered
USPSTF · Official
Coronary Artery Disease & Cardiac Risk Screening — Guidelines
USPSTF recommends using a cardiovascular risk calculator (such as the ACC/AHA Pooled Cohort Equations) for adults 40–79 to assess 10-year heart disease risk. High-risk patients may be candidates for coronary artery calcium (CAC) scoring — a CT scan that directly measures plaque in arteries. The American Heart Association has endorsed CAC scoring for intermediate-risk patients.
Free AccessRisk-Based
American Cancer Society
ACS Cancer Screening Guidelines — All Cancers by Age
The American Cancer Society's complete early detection guidelines — breast, colorectal, cervical, lung, prostate, skin, and more — organized by cancer type with recommended ages and intervals. The ACS guidelines sometimes differ from USPSTF, particularly on mammography start age and prostate screening.
Free AccessBy Cancer Type
Health.gov · MyHealthfinder
Screenings Recommended for Your Age — MyHealthfinder
The federal government's personalized screening recommendation tool — enter your age and sex to get a plain-language checklist of the preventive screenings and vaccines recommended for you right now. One of the most actionable pages in this library.
Free ToolUS GovernmentPersonalized
Educational purposes only. The Smart Patient Library provides curated links to publicly available resources. VerifiMD does not endorse any specific provider, hospital, or organization. All links open external websites not operated by VerifiMD. This is not medical advice — always consult a qualified healthcare provider for personal health decisions. US residents aged 18+ only.