The Field Guide

Healthcare uses a lot of words for the
same thing - and different words for
things that aren't the same.

This is a plain-language guide to who's who, where care happens, and who pays for what. The system has roughly six kinds of organizations and roles. Once you can name them, you can navigate them.

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Try a different word, or clear the search to browse all entities.

Important: The Field Guide is educational information about how the US healthcare system is organized. It is not medical, legal, financial, or insurance advice, and it does not recommend specific providers. Coverage rules, ownership structures, and roles change. For decisions that affect your care, talk to your physician, a licensed insurance agent, your State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP), an attorney, or a qualified professional. Project Kos is not affiliated with any provider, insurer, or government agency.

What this is and isn't. The Field Guide describes types of organizations and roles, not specific entities. It draws on federal source material (CMS, SSA, HHS, VA, DoD), Code of Federal Regulations, public ownership data, and public data from accreditation bodies. For real provider lookup, see Find Care Near You.

Categories. The six groupings (settings, providers, supports, coverage, advocates, oversight) are an editorial organization and not a federal taxonomy. They were chosen to match how someone trying to navigate care actually thinks about the system.

Coverage notes. Coverage tags shown on each card are simplified for the card surface. The drawer detail shows the full Medicare / Medicaid / Private breakdown. Exact coverage depends on plan, state, and clinical situation - always verify with your insurer or a SHIP counselor (1-877-839-2675, shiphelp.org).

Org-chart roles reflect typical staffing in larger institutions. Smaller facilities consolidate roles; the title that appears in your local provider may differ.