How-to guides
What the official data on our pages means, what to ask, who pays and where to complain, in plain language. Every guide lists its official sources. In a medical emergency, call 911.
How to choose care
How to choose a hospitalWhat Medicare star ratings, patient surveys, infections and readmissions on our hospital pages mean, what to ask, who pays, and how to complain about a hospital.
How to choose a nursing homeWhat Medicare star ratings, inspections, staffing and fines on our nursing home pages mean, what to ask on a visit, warning signs, who pays and how to complain.
How to choose hospice careWhat hospice is, what the family survey ratings and quality measures on our hospice pages mean, what to ask, what Medicare covers and how to complain.
How to choose a home health agencyWhat the Medicare star ratings and patient survey on our home health pages mean, what to ask, who pays, and how to complain about a home health agency.
How to choose a dialysis centerWhat the Medicare star rating and facility facts on our dialysis pages mean, questions to ask, who pays, and how to complain about a dialysis center.
How to choose assisted livingWhat the state licence records on our assisted living pages mean, what to ask on a visit, warning signs, who pays and how to complain about an assisted living home.
How to choose a community health centerWhat community health centers are, what the HRSA data on our pages means, sliding fees and who pays, what to ask, and where to raise a concern.
How to choose a doctorWhat the Medicare data on our doctor pages means (NPI, specialty, hospitals, Medicare assignment), how to check a doctor, what to ask, who pays and where to complain.
How to choose a walk-in or rural health clinicWhat urgent care centers and rural health clinics are, what the facts on our clinic pages mean, what to ask, who pays and where to complain.
How to choose a pharmacyWhat the pharmacy facts on our pages mean, generic and brand-name medicines, ways to save on prescriptions, what to ask, and where to report a problem with a pharmacy or a medicine.
Costs, Medicare coverage and your rights
What Medicare pays for: hospital, nursing home, hospice, home health and dialysisThe basic Original Medicare rules for a hospital stay, skilled nursing facility care, hospice, home health care and dialysis: who qualifies, what is covered, what is not, and how to appeal.
How to pay for a nursing home or assisted livingWho pays for long-term care in a nursing home, in assisted living or at home: what Medicare does not pay, Medicaid, long-term care insurance, veterans’ benefits and paying yourself.
Leaving the hospital: discharge planning and your rightsWhat to ask before you leave the hospital, how discharge planning works, inpatient or observation status (the MOON notice), and how to appeal a Medicare discharge you think is too soon.
How to use hospital pricesWhat hospital charges, cash prices and insurance rates in the prices section of our hospital pages mean, how to get an estimate, and your rights about medical bills.
What Medicare star ratings meanHow Medicare rates hospitals, nursing homes, home health agencies, hospice and dialysis centers with 1 to 5 stars, what “not rated” means, and how to use the stars.