Programs that establish and enforce health, safety and program standards for health care and mental health facilities, review applications for licenses, issue or deny licenses, inspect facilities for compliance with requirements and revoke licenses or bring disciplinary action for noncompliance. Included are programs that provide licensing for general acute care hospitals, acute psychiatric hospitals, skilled nursing facilities, intermediate care facilities, home health agencies, personal care agencies, hospice facilities, employer/employee clinics, rehabilitation clinics, community clinics, surgical clinics, and chronic dialysis clinics.

Programs that link people who are terminally ill with programs that provide supportive services during the final stages of their illness. Hospice care may be provided at home, in a freestanding hospice facility, a hospice unit of a hospital or in long-term care facilities such as nursing homes. Services may include medical care, pain and symptom management, home nurse visitation, case management, emotional and spiritual support, and bereavement services for the patient and members of the family.

Programs that link individuals who are in need of intermediate, secured or skilled nursing care with facilities that are appropriate to their needs and preferences.

Programs that link people who are in need of primary or specialized medical care with qualified medical practitioners.

Programs that publish information about health and residential care facilities (including hospitals, dialysis facilities, home health care agencies, nursing facilities and supportive housing for older adults and people with disabilities) that helps consumers compare the facilities in their area and choose the option that best meets their needs. Some programs limit their comparisons to treatment that is related to specific conditions, e.g., heart attack, heart failure or pneumonia.

Programs that provide information about U.S. government offices and services that interested individuals can access on a website or in person, or by telephone, email, chat, text or other communication channel. In some cases, assistance is available to help identify and locate an appropriate office.

Individuals who are generally between the ages of 18 and 25 depending on the ages that specific programs use for qualification.

Individuals, age 65 and older or younger than age 65 with a disability, who have hospital, medical and prescription drug insurance through the federally-funded Medicare program.