The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has developed several tools to help you make informed choices regarding your healthcare. The following resources can get you started.

Finding a Doctor that Accepts Medicare
Search for physicians in your area using CMS' Participating Provider Directory.

Understanding Medicare's Prescription Drug Benefit
Review detailed information about Medicare prescription drug coverage, including tips to consider when enrolling in a plan.

Choosing a Hospital
As part of of your decision-making process, you may want to search CMS' Hospital Compare website. Here, you can see how well local hospitals performed on key quality measures related to heart attack, heart failure, pneumonia, and surgeries.

Choosing a Nursing Home
Deciding which nursing home will be best for you or your loved ones can be challenging. For help in considering all the issues, refer to the Guide to Choosing a Nursing Home—available in English or Spanish.

The CMS website, Nursing Home Compare, is another important tool. This searchable database allows you to see how well local nursing homes performed on quality-of-care measures related to pressure ulcers, pain, mobility, and more.

A brief overview of payment options that may be available to you is also provided online.

Choosing a Home Health Agency
Learn how a home health agency may be able to assist you, and what services are covered by Medicare, in the guide Medicare and Home Health Care.

The CMS website, Home Health Compare, is also a valuable resource. Here, you can see how well local agencies performed on quality indicators related to patients' recovery.