Michelle Andrews

Lo que debes saber sobre Paxlovid para tratar covid, en especial, ¿debes tomarlo?

KFF Health News Original

Desde que Paxlovid comenzó a estar disponible hace siete meses, ha eclipsado otras terapias disponibles para prevenir los síntomas graves de covid en pacientes de alto riesgo. Algunos médicos se apresuran a recetarlo, pero como ocurre con tanto sobre la pandemia de covid, hay controversia.

Everything You Need to Know About Paxlovid — Especially, Should You Take It?

KFF Health News Original

Paxlovid has eclipsed other available therapies for preventing life-threatening covid symptoms in high-risk patients. But even as doctors praise its effectiveness, many say they have unanswered questions about prescribing the drug and want more and better data about it.

‘So Rudderless’: A Couple’s Quest for Autism Treatment for Their Son Hits Repeated Obstacles

KFF Health News Original

Amparo and Victor Rios began searching for answers about their son’s development when he didn’t hit some milestones after turning 2. Three years later, they are still trying to get their insurance to pay for expensive therapy to help him.

Vaccine and Testing Delays for Monkeypox Echo Failures in Early Covid Response

KFF Health News Original

Public health officials say monkeypox is not as dangerous as covid and can be handled well with current treatments and if those at risk use caution. But the rollout of vaccines has been slow and led to angst among some at-risk people.

Preventive Care May Be Free, but Follow-Up Diagnostic Tests Can Bring Big Bills

KFF Health News Original

Under the Affordable Care Act, insurers cannot charge consumers for various preventive services that have been recommended by experts. But if those screenings indicate more testing is needed to determine whether something is wrong, patients may be on the hook for hundreds or even thousands of dollars for diagnostic services.

Why So Slow? Legislators Take on Insurers’ Delays in Approving Prescribed Treatments

KFF Health News Original

Insurers say prior authorization requirements are intended to reduce wasteful and inappropriate health care spending. But they can baffle patients waiting for approval. And doctors say that insurers have yet to follow through on commitments to improve the process.

Washington State Retools First-in-the-Nation Long-Term Care Benefit

KFF Health News Original

The WA Cares Fund program, which would provide workers in the state a lifetime benefit of $36,500, was set to begin collecting money through a payroll tax in January, but it was delayed while lawmakers made adjustments to address equity problems. Now the payroll deductions will begin in July 2023, and benefits will become available in 2026.

Despite Doctors’ Concerns, Pharmacists Get More Leeway to Offer Treatment With Testing

KFF Health News Original

In the battle against covid, pharmacies became a key place for consumers to seek vaccines and testing. Some states are expanding pharmacists’ work to include directly prescribing drugs for customers who seek some routine, point-of-care tests, such as those for flu or strep throat. But doctor groups oppose the move.

Why Medicare Doesn’t Pay for Rapid At-Home Covid Tests

KFF Health News Original

The laws governing Medicare don’t provide coverage for self-administered diagnostic tests, which is precisely what the rapid antigen tests are and why they are an important tool for containing the pandemic.

Officials Struggle to Regulate Pop-Up Covid Testing Sites — And Warn Patients to Beware

KFF Health News Original

High demand for covid screening and scarce supply have opened the door to bad actors, and officials in some states are sounding the alarm about dubious street testing operators that could put people’s personal data, their health or wallets at risk.

‘The Charges Seem Crazy’: Hospitals Impose a ‘Facility Fee’ — For a Video Visit

KFF Health News Original

Facility fees, designed to help hospitals cover the high cost of staying open 24/7, have long rankled consumers. Now, some patients are assessed the fees while sitting at home for a telehealth appointment.

As Workers Struggle With Pandemic’s Impact, Employers Expand Mental Health Benefits

KFF Health News Original

Many job-based health plans broadened their mental health and substance use coverage to make sure workers had the support they needed this year as pandemic stress lingered, the annual KFF survey finds. Also, the proportion of employers offering health insurance to their workers remained steady, and increases for premiums and out-of-pocket health expenses were moderate.

¿No estás vacunado? Si falleces por covid tu familia puede quedarse sin beneficios

KFF Health News Original

La Autoridad de Transporte Metropolitano de Nueva York (MTA) ya no paga un beneficio por muerte de $500,000 a las familias de los trabajadores del metro, autobús y trenes suburbanos que mueren de covid, si los trabajadores no estaban vacunados al momento de la muerte.

Unvaccinated? Don’t Count on Leaving Your Family Death Benefits

KFF Health News Original

Some front-line workers who die of covid-19 have been considered eligible for accidental death benefits because it is presumed their infection was contracted on the job. But some employers now suggest that if the workers didn’t follow established safety protocols, such as getting vaccinated, those benefits may be denied.

Democrats’ Plans to Expand Medicare Benefits May Pinch Advantage Plans’ Funding

KFF Health News Original

As lawmakers weigh new spending provisions to cover dental, hearing and vision services for Medicare beneficiaries, a group supporting Medicare Advantage plans is airing commercials that raise concerns about the funding for those private plans.