Latest KFF Health News Stories
Insurers’ 2015 Rate Filings Set Stage For Consumer Decisions
The Wall Street Journal notes that, as rates for the upcoming season shake out, consumers will make choices between paying higher premiums to stay on their current plans or switching coverage to save cash. Meanwhile, news outlets detail recent reports that analyze these costs, as well as the impact of federal subsidies, and offer regional takes on the rates.
Health Law Causing Confusion For Consumers, Health Professionals
News outlets take a look at continuing health law implementation challenges, including the difficulties that consumers are having in getting their coverage after enrolling and that the doctors’ offices face when they attempt to confirm patients’ new health plans.
Cost And Quality Concerns Linger Over Baby-Boomer Long Term Care
Elsewhere, a California home care company weighs how new labor laws will affect their bottom line and industry.
Experts Urge Business To Track Worker Health
A new group is urging businesses to improve the health of employees — and says the move could save up to $30 billion a year in health care costs.
Administration Opened Marketplaces Despite Technology Concerns, GOP Senators Say
In new report, Sens. Orrin Hatch, R-Utah, and Charles Grassley, R-Iowa, allege the White House’s delayed decisions kept health officials from meeting development deadlines for the online exchanges, Reuters reports. Meanwhile, a GAO official tells a Senate panel that the government has a flawed strategy on tech projects.
Insurers Face Difficult Cost And Coverage Calculations Regarding Gene-Sequencing Tests
Reuters reports that the question for health plans increasingly is becoming whether to pay for these tests, which can cost between $5,000 and $17,000.
High Court Decision Imminent On Health Law’s Birth Control Mandate
Also pending is a decision regarding free speech arguments against a Massachusetts law that creates a buffer zone around abortion clinics to keep protesters from patients.
Insider-Trading Probe Involving Capitol Hill Staff And Medicare Policy Heats Up
The Wall Street Journal reports that prosecutors have issued grand jury subpoenas for evidence related to whether congressional staffers provided advance information to stock traders regarding a change in health care policy.
MNsure Review Finds Many Exchange Functions Do Not Work Properly
Minnesota’s troubled online insurance marketplace faces major challenges after officials found this week that nearly two-thirds of functions on the site didn’t work properly.
Congress’ Desire For Quick VA Fix Complicated By Costs
Even as Senate and House negotiators are getting ready to try to forge a compromise on their bills, some members are raising concerns about the price tag that would come with an effort to let veterans who can’t get timely appointments at the VA go to private doctors or hospitals.
State Highlights: N.Y. Birth Control Discrimination Bill; Mich. Nursing Home Costs
A selection of health policy stories from New York, Michigan, New Jersey, Virginia, Maryland, North Carolina, California, Texas, Washington state, Missouri, Massachusetts and Colorado.
A selection of editorials and opinions on health care from around the country.
Longer Looks: Caregiver’s Effort To Stay Well; Views On Postpartum Depression
This week’s articles come from Minnesota Public Radio, The Atlantic, Esquire Magazine, The New York Times and Modern Healthcare.
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations, including reports about how the 2015 insurance premium rates are shaping up across the country and details of consumers’ experiences in trying to get their new coverage.
Insurers Continue To Eye State Health Exchanges
In a pair of stories, the Associated Press reports on how insurers in New Hampshire and Kentucky that did not participate in the health law’s online insurance marketplaces during the first enrollment period are now indicating their interest for the next open season. In addition, news outlets in Oregon and Minnesota report on developments related to state exchanges.
HHS Report Details Premium Subsidy Use And Cost
Nearly 9 of 10 people who bought coverage on the health law marketplaces got government assistance to pay for the premium, and the average out-of-pocket premium cost was $69.
Medicare Faces Cost Tension With Lawmakers, Advocates
CMS must decide how it will handle certain tests and medicines.
The Justice Department says in a lawsuit that IPC The Hospitalist Co., which assigns doctors to hospitals in 28 states, bilked Medicare and Medicaid by billing for more expensive care than was provided. Meanwhile, West Virginia could lose as much as $200 million in federal Medicaid funds because it contracts with providers facing “credible” fraud accusations, according to an audit.
Bill To Give Veterans Private Medical Care Advances In House
The Rules Committee approved the measure Tuesday. In other news on veterans’ care, a Kansas senator pushes the administration to keep a pilot project offering some of that same flexibility in rural areas, and the White House is turning to experts for help in picking a new leader for the VA.
Federal Officials, Software Specialists Working To Simplify Healthcare.gov Enrollment Application
Their goal is to make the process easier during the next enrollment season. Meanwhile, Enroll America held a meeting to rally its troops as the organization also looks ahead to the next sign-up period.
