Phil Galewitz

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pgalewitz@kff.org
@philgalewitz

Walmart To Give Workers Financial Incentives To Use Higher-Quality Doctors

KFF Health News Original

The program, which will roll out next year in three parts of the country, seeks to encourage workers on the company’s health plan to choose doctors that have been identified as providing “appropriate, effective and cost-efficient care.”

Breaking A 10-Year Streak, The Number Of Uninsured Americans Rises

KFF Health News Original

Census officials said most of the drop in health coverage was related to a 0.7% decline in Medicaid. The number of people with private insurance remained steady.

Por primera vez en una década, aumenta el número de personas sin seguro médico

KFF Health News Original

El Censo halló que el 8.5% de la población se quedó sin seguro médico el año pasado, en comparación con el 7.9% en 2017. Nuevas reglas han impactado en la comunidad hispana.

Millions Of Diabetes Patients Are Missing Out On Medicare’s Nutrition Help

KFF Health News Original

Health experts say the little-used benefit represents a lost opportunity for older adults to improve their health — and for the program to save money by preventing costly complications from diabetes and chronic kidney disease.

Millones con diabetes no aprovechan programa nutricional de Medicare

KFF Health News Original

Hay unos 15 millones de beneficiarios de Medicare que viven con diabetes, pero solo unos 100,000 se han inscripto para usar este beneficio que, al parecer, tiene buenos resultados.

Para ahorrar dinero, pacientes y cirujanos se encuentran en Cancún

KFF Health News Original

El turismo médico no es un fenómeno nuevo. Pero sí lo son las compañías que contratan médicos estadounidenses para que viajen al exterior a operar a pacientes de los Estados Unidos.

To Save Money, American Patients And Surgeons Meet In Cancun

KFF Health News Original

The patient is from Mississippi. The surgeon is from Wisconsin. They meet in a Mexican resort for knee replacement surgery. Because the care costs so much less than in the U.S, the patient’s health plan pays her $5,000.

Trump Administration ‘Open For Business’ On Drug Imports From Canada

KFF Health News Original

HHS secretary announces a preliminary plan Wednesday to allow Americans to import certain lower-cost drugs from Canada. Manufacturers were quick to criticize the plan, saying it does not guarantee the safety of drugs coming into the country.

Using Obamacare Authority, Trump Aims To Shift Dialysis Care To Patients’ Homes

KFF Health News Original

Only about 12% of dialysis patients get their treatment at home and the initiative aims to dramatically increase that number and move patients out of costly dialysis centers. It would also add provisions to boost the annual number of kidneys available for transplants.

Cómo tener una receta más barata antes de salir del consultorio

KFF Health News Original

Una herramienta permite que los médicos informen a sus pacientes sobre los costos de los medicamentos, en base a sus planes de salud. E incluso pueden ofrecerles opciones más baratas.

How To Get A Cheaper Prescription Before Leaving The Doctor’s Office

KFF Health News Original

A pricing tool embedded in their electronic health record and prescribing system lets doctors see how much patients will pay out-of-pocket based on their insurance and the pharmacy. But doctors have been slow to adopt the technology, which has limitations.

Study: Arkansas Medicaid Work Requirement Hits Those Already Employed

KFF Health News Original

More than 95% of the Arkansas residents targeted by the state’s Medicaid work requirement were already working or met the criteria to be exempted from the mandate, according to a study in the New England Journal of Medicine.

Why Some CEOs Figure ‘Medicare For All’ Is Good For Business

KFF Health News Original

While national business groups fight the single-payer concept, the founder and CEO of a large Pennsylvania picture frame manufacturer tries to convince other employers that it’s the only way to control costs and fix the U.S. health system.

Suicide Risk Grew After Missouri Medicaid Kids Shifted To Managed Care, Hospitals Say

KFF Health News Original

Psychiatric treatment for children in Medicaid managed-care plans in Missouri has declined and suicide risks are up, reveals a study sponsored by the state hospital association.

CMS Ignores Federal Judge Ruling To Approve Medicaid Work Rules in Utah

KFF Health News Original

Work helps make people healthier, CMS chief Seema Verma said in approving Utah’s waiver request to tie government health benefits to employment or volunteer work. But Judge James Boasberg has said that isn’t the goal of Medicaid.

Federal Judge Again Blocks Medicaid Work Requirements

KFF Health News Original

The decision applies only to Kentucky and Arkansas, and many experts expect the administration and other conservative states to continue to move forward on rules that would limit coverage for people who don’t work.