In addition, you can review:

National Committee on Quality Assurance- the list of health care plans that are accredited (or in process). You can visit this list at http://hprc.ncqa.org/.

Joint Commission on the Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations (JCAHO, known as the “joint”)- another accrediting body for health care. Their list of approved organizations is considerably longer. You can search online to identify accredited facilities in your geographic region at
http://www.qualitycheck.org/consumer/searchQCR.aspx

CARF- the accrediting organization for rehabilitation facilities. To locate CARF accredited facilities in your area, go to http://www.carf.org/Consumer.aspx?Content=ConsumerSearch

There are hundreds of private health care plans, only some of which operate in your geographic area.  In many instances, you may apply to become an approved provider online, or find someone who can help you understand the process and the time necessary to complete the application process.  To locate these you should search online and follow the information directed at providers. If you do pursue becoming a qualified provider on a health care panel,  it is often helpful to review in advance what has been written about managed care contracts.  Thus, in addition to reading the legal opinion on managed care contracting written by Cliff Stromberg at http://www.nationalregister.org/ECP_LegUpdate9.html, you may find it helpful to read what the AMA says about signing a managed care contract. http://www.ama-assn.org/ama1/pub/upload/mm/368/15questions.pdf

Updated: 8/15/2007