Resources AARP– an advocacy organization comprising 35 million members. AARP focuses on issues affecting men and women aged 50 and older. Go to www.aarp.org to find many publications and other resources on health topics, including Medicare and other health insurance. Contact AARP by phone at 1-888-687-2277, or write to AARP, 601 E Street, N.W., Washington, DC 20049. Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) – an agency of the Federal Government. Go to the Agency’s Web site at www.ahrq.gov to find more information and tools to help you evaluate health plans, as well as many consumer publications on various health topics. Most of the consumer materials are available in English and Spanish. Call the AHRQ Clearinghouse at 1-800- 358-9295 to order free copies of publications. America’s Health Insurance Plans (AHIP) – a national association that represents health insurance plans providing medical, long-term care, disability income, dental, supplemental, stop-loss, and reinsurance to more than 200 million Americans. Go to www.ahip.org and select “Consumer Information,” where you can access many consumer guides on health insurance and link directly to companies that provide health insurance coverage. Or, contact AHIP by phone at 1-202-778-3200, or write to AHIP, 601 Pennsylvania Avenue, N.W., Washington, DC 20004. Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations (JCAHO) – Evaluates and accredits health care organizations and programs, including hospitals, long-term care facilities, and other health care facilities, as well as health plans, managed care entities, and other insurers. Go to the JCAHO Web site at www.jointcommission.org, call them at 630-792-5000, or write to JCAHO, One Renaissance Boulevard, Oakbrook Terrace, IL 60181. 29