Latest KFF Health News Stories
How PARIS Is Helping Veterans In Need
In Washington state, the Public Assistance Reporting Information System — PARIS — has proven to be an important tool in efforts to identify eligible veterans and connect them with the benefits they earned while serving their country.
Different Takes: Shifting Vets From Medicaid To The VA Is A Win-Win
Washington state officials have created a program, which has since been copied by other states, to identify veterans who have fallen through the cracks in terms of the benefits they earned with their military service.
FAQ On HSAs: The Basics Of Health Savings Accounts
Health Savings Accounts are increasingly among the options that consumers can consider when making their health insurance choices. Here are some of the advantages and disadvantages they offer.
Walmart Wants To Be Nation’s Biggest Primary Care Provider
According to confidential documents obtained by KHN, Walmart is seeking to become the largest provider of primary health care in the United States in order to “lower the cost of health care.” Analysts say Walmart could also be trying to get more people in their stores.
Kansas Announces Sweeping Medicaid Restructuring
The major overhaul of the state’s Medicaid program announced Tuesday would put nearly all Medicaid recipients into private, managed-care plans.
Chart: Changes In Popular D.C. Area Medicare Drug Plans For 2012
Details on changes in Medicare Part D plans in the Washington, D.C., area for 2012.
SHIP Programs Can Help Seniors Save Money On A Medicare Drug Plan
The free counseling program is available in nearly every county. The current open enrollment season ends Dec. 7.
Shopping Tips For Medicare Drug Plans
Here are some questions SHIP officials recommend asking.
Minnesota GOP Wrestles With Health Exchange Questions
The state could end up with an exchange run by the federal government, and some lawmakers think that’s a risk worth taking.
Table: Hospital Patient Satisfaction Ratings By Region
Hospital patients in different parts of the country give different ratings to their hospital experiences. The table below shows the average ratings patients gave in 294 regional hospital markets as calculated by Kaiser Health News.
When TLC Doesn’t Satisfy Patients, Elite Hospitals May Pay A Price
As Medicare prepares to factor patient ratings into reimbursements, hospitals everywhere are pulling out the stops to please. Some of the nation’s most prestigious hospitals are struggling to appease their exacting patients.
Children’s Health Program Opened To Low-Income State Employees
At least six states are taking advantage of a change mandated by the 2010 health law to allow their low-income workers to enroll kids in the Children’s Health Insurance Programs.
Health Investors’ New Calculus: Save Money To Make Money
Niche companies that mine health data, manage care and communicate with patients are capturing the imaginations of top venture capitalists.
Grading Docs With Electronic Medical Records
Digitized medical records have the potential to have a powerful effect on doctors’ behavior and patients’ care.
In Kansas, Republicans Can’t Agree On Insurance Exchanges
Republican Gov. Sam Brownback sent back a $31.5 million federal grant and Kansas Insurance Commissioner Sandy Praeger worries it’s not sound policy.
Health On The Hill: Budget Experts Warn Super Committee About Consequences Of Failure
Jackie Judd talks with KHN’s Mary Agnes Carey about the super committee’s public hearing Tuesday when it heard from the leaders of previous deficit reduction groups.
More Than 25% Of Medicare Drug Plans Get Poor Ratings
Federal officials have changed the evaluation system to include more quality measures and plans that don’t meet standards in three years will face expulsion.
Minnesota Health Systems Try Partnering, Not Competition, To Boost Their Bottom Lines
A partnership between two rival health systems in the Minneapolis area is offering a glimpse of the future, at least as envisioned in the federal health law.
States Are Limiting Medicaid Hospital Coverage In Search For Savings
Hospitals say the burden of cost-cutting falls on them because they’ll be stuck with the bill for care if Medicaid refuses to pay.
Big Insurer Fights Back In Court Against Regulation Of Profit Margin
The case brought by Anthem Health Plans of Maine could have regulatory repercussions around the country.
