Latest KFF Health News Stories
Pioneer ACO Results Include Improved Quality, Lowered Medicare Costs
Even with these marks, nine of the health systems — nearly a third of those participating in the program — have decided to leave after the first year.
Health Law Computer Database ‘Hub’ Links 7 Agencies, Spurs Privacy Concerns
A computer system designed to determine which Americans get subsidies to help them buy health coverage will be hugely important to the success or failure of Obamacare, Bloomberg reports. Also, new federal data show doctors have filed more than 190 million prescriptions electronically.
The Massachusetts analysis, funded by the insurance industry, predicts the law will add an average of 3.7 percent to premiums, while in New York, state officials will likely announce Wednesday the expected premium tumble.
A selection of editorials and opinions on health care from around the country.
States, Feds Continue To Scramble On Health Exchanges, Medicaid Expansion
The Obama administration hires a credit reporting agency to verify the incomes of people who apply for federal subsidies to buy health insurance. Meanwhile, Missouri Gov. Jay Nixon signs a bill that could make it more difficult to do enrollment outreach there, as federal officials consider ways to implement the law in states led by officials opposed to it.
State Highlights: Poll Says N.C. Abortion Bill Hurting Governor Support
A selection of health policy stories from North Carolina, California and Virginia.
New Missouri law Imposes Hurdle For Insurance Exchange
The law requires insurance counselors
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations, including a report about how the delay of the health law’s employer mandate might undermine enforcement of the measure’s individual mandate.
Large Insurers Opt Out Of Missouri’s Health Exchange
UnitedHealthcare, Cigna and Assurant Health say they won’t participate, at least initially.
Head Of Rx Drug Makers Group Says Obama Budget Plans Cause Concern
John Castellani, the head of the Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America, notes support for health overhaul but says efforts to change Medicare Part D program and companies’ control of biologic drugs “would do serious harm to our industry.”
9 Pioneer ACOs Jump Ship After First Year
Nearly a third of the health systems chosen for the ambitious Pioneer accountable care organization program with Medicare are leaving after the first year of the three-year program. The goal of accountable care is for hospitals and doctors to save money while lowering costs. The 32 organizations selected to be Pioneers a year and a half […]
Cerner Builds Recession-Proof ‘Bunker’ For Health Data
As more doctors turn to digitizing patient health records, large companies like Cerner are building bigger and more sophisticated ways to house — and secure — the nation’s health data, and it’s turning into a big business.
How Will Health Exchanges Work? Business Versions May Offer Clues
News outlets look at how the health law’s new online insurance marketplaces might work and examine the experiences of employees participating in private corporate exchanges. Others examine what some critics view as opportunities for fraud and bad actors.
Some Employers Continue To Offer ‘Skinny’ Plans
Even though the Obama administration will not enforce the mandate requiring large employers to offer coverage for another year, some companies still plan to offer so-called “skinny,” or limited benefit plans — and the federal government will permit them, according to Politico. Other reports look at the growth in part-time jobs and whether that is a result of the health care law.
Health Law Fosters A New Kind Of Business Partnership In Georgia
Medical equipment manufacturers operate largely on a “supply and demand” model: Hospitals buy their multi-million dollar machines, use them for a few years, and then the process starts again. But Philips Healthcare and a hospital system in Georgia are betting on a new business model, one that has risks and rewards for both the hospital […]
Few Medicaid Docs Have Seen 2013 Pay Raise
Most primary care doctors are still waiting for that Medicaid pay raise that was scheduled to begin in January under the Affordable Care Act, but a federal official says the government has now approved applications from 48 states to begin paying the higher rates. A spokeswoman for the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services says with those approvals in […]
New Mexico Medicaid Overhaul OK’d
Other news outlets look at the delay in increasing pay rates for primary care doctors who participate in Medicaid and the limited access to medications for people addicted to painkillers enrolled in the health care program for the poor.
U.S. News Issues Its Hospital Honor Roll
This year’s rankings cover nearly 5,000 medical centers across the country and span 16 medical specialties.
Obama Issues Order To Step Up Efforts To Combat HIV/AIDS
President Barack Obama’s executive order said a working group chaired by Office of National AIDS Policy Director Grant Colfax and Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius would have 180 days to deliver its recommendations.
Study: EHRs Cut Some Costs, But May Not Show Savings Everywhere
In the meantime, medical practices and officials in Colorado and California scramble to get federal incentive payments for adopting electronic health records.