Some 160 million Americans used the Web for medical info in 2009. Here are some useful places to park your cursor.

WebMD.com

With 20 million visitors a month, this is a one-stop shop for fitness tips, info on illnesses and support groups for serious ailments. Also popular is the Symptom Checker, which generates possible diagnoses, but health-technology expert Meredith Abreu Ressi counsels skepticism: “You’ll be afraid you’re dying from a little rash!” WebMD says the tool is meant to help patients prepare for doctor visits.

DestinationRx.com

Compares drug costs at different local pharmacies, which can vary widely. “My Medicine Cabinet” suggests cheaper, generic alternatives. Also helpful: a comparison tool for Medicare prescription drug plans.
HealthcareBluebook.com Uses insurance-claims data to generate an estimate of the “fair price” for thousands of health, dental and cosmetic procedures by zip code – a great starting point for haggling with doctors, hospitals or even insurers.

HealthGrades.com

Ressi praises this doctor-ratings site for going beyond patient reviews, incorporating resources like malpractice and licensing history, as well as quality measures of hospitals. A comprehensive report costs $13, though similar info is publicly available free. The site says it is adding more free content and that it adds value by saving consumers’ time.

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