Resolve N.Y.C. offers monthly education meetings, support groups, telephone counseling, doctor referrals, seminars and symposiums on infertility, adoption information and a medical reference library.

NPF conducts research on Parkinson's disease, provides doctor referrals, and sponsors a variety of educational programs.

Over the last few years his business has grown in part because he is often sent doctor referrals from McLean Hospital.

The spots let the viewer know that treatment is available through a dermatologist and includes a toll-free number that provides general information and doctor referral from the American Academy of Dermatology.

But home-health-care companies have contended that they qualify for an exemption that permits doctor referrals to a service from which the doctors benefit if the service is a "direct extension" of their practices.

"It's frustrating, women make more decisions based on the magazines than their doctor referrals or friends combined," said Dr. Debra Jaliman, a Manhattan dermatologist.

If possible, get a doctor referral in the area you are visiting, and make sure you are adequately supplied with prenatal vitamins.

The association says the site, which generates about 100,000 doctor referrals a year, is an important vehicle for weight-loss doctors, who often rely on advertising to draw patients.

Offers videos, doctor referrals, free medical conferences, educational and support materials.

Legislators in Colorado, Hawaii, Kansas, Maryland, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Tennessee and Washington, among other states, have been working on legislation to restrict doctor referrals.