Center for the Study of Services-Healthcare Research Group

The Center for the Study of Services (www.cssresearch.org) is a nonprofit consumer organization and publisher. Among other activities, we publish Consumers' CHECKBOOK magazine in seven versions in seven major metropolitan areas. CHECKBOOK magazine evaluates and rates local service firms--auto repair shops, hospitals, plumbers, banks, etc.--and advises its 140,000 consumer subscribers on how to get good services. We also have nationally distributed publications and services, including our Guide to Top Doctors, our CarBargains service, and others.

CSS also conducts surveys and other research under contract for other organizations that share our broad consumer-information/service-quality-improvement missions. CSS's Healthcare Research Group provides research and consulting services to managed care organizations, hospitals, medical groups, and other players in the US healthcare market.