Latest KFF Health News Stories
Advocates Say Mental Health ‘Parity’ Law Is Not Fulfilling Its Promise
A landmark federal law requiring insurers to cover mental illness as they would any other disease is not being followed or enforced, say patient advocates and attorneys. Insurers say they have taken “tremendous steps.”
To Boost Patient Health, Rehab Sometimes Starts Before Cancer Treatment
“Prehabilitation” may help patients recover more quickly, early research suggests, but insurance coverage can be tricky.
Health Law Experiment Failed To Show Savings
An ambitious demonstration to transform clinics into “medical homes” treating patients in the community instead of the hospital didn’t save money. Some blame the test, not the idea.
Consumers’ Satisfaction With Coverage Linked To Out-Of-Pocket Expenses
People with traditional health insurance plans are happier with their coverage than those with high-deductible plans, but the groups also say the quality of their coverage is similar.
Surprise! That Urgent Care Center May Send You A Big Bill (Just Like The ER)
Many urgent care centers say they take your insurance. But that’s not the same thing as participating in the plan. It could mean you will get a big bill down the road.
2015 Home Health Agencies Ratings: 5-Star Facilities
Kaiser Health News lists the 239 home health agencies that received Medicare’s highest rating of five stars.
2015 Home Health Agencies Ratings: 1-Star And 1.5-Star Facilities
KHN also lists the six home health agencies that received Medicare’s lowest rating of one star and the 195 agencies rated one and a half stars. These ratings, released July 2015, are based on performance from fall 2013 through last year.
Home Health Agencies Get Medicare’s Star Treatment
For the first time, the government is assigning one to five stars to the agencies that care for seniors in their homes. Nearly half of 9,000 agencies rated captured average scores.
Do Cell Phones Belong In The Operating Room?
A number of doctors and professional organizations are calling for clear rules on whether and how health care professionals can use cell phones while in the operating room.
The App Will See You Now, But May Not Get The Diagnosis Right
A third of adults say they have gone online to get help diagnosing symptoms, but a study shows the results are often inaccurate.
Birth Control Coverage Saves Women Significant Money
The health law requires insurers to cover most prescription contraceptives with no additional out-of-pocket costs, which may spur some women to use more effective methods.
‘A Terrible Way To End Someone’s Life’
Doctors often opt to forego aggressive care for terminal illnesses but fail to talk to their patients about their preferences.
States Limiting Patient Costs For High-Priced Drugs
More states are stepping in to cushion the financial pain for patients who need medicine that can cost up to hundreds of thousands of dollars a year.
Study Finds Doctors Order Fewer Preventive Services For Medicaid Patients
Researchers report in the journal Health Affairs that doctors are less likely to include some preventive care services in appointments with women covered by Medicaid than in those with women who are privately insured.
Study Predicts Huge Toll Of Hepatitis C Drugs On California Budget
Highly effective drugs for Hepatitis C patients in California’s Medicaid program, prisons and hospitals could cost the state billions, an insurance-industry sponsored study found.
California Caps What Patients Pay For Pricey Drugs. Will Other States Follow?
Beginning in 2016, most Covered California customers will not have to pay more than $150 or $250 per prescription, per month. The price caps are a response to very expensive new drugs used to treat hepatitis and other serious illnesses.
When Does Workplace Wellness Become Coercive?
Employer, consumer groups are critical of the administration’s effort to answer that question.
Medicare Slow To Adopt Telemedicine Due To Cost Concerns
Less than 1 percent of beneficiaries use the technology because Congress has put tight restrictions on it.
How Not To Find Out Your Health Plan Lacks Hospital Benefits
Don’t assume your employer’s health plan offers comprehensive coverage. Marlene Allen did. Then she got hurt.
Most Americans Say Drug Costs Are ‘Unreasonable,’ Although They Can Still Afford To Buy Them
Most blame drugmakers for high costs, finds Kaiser Family Foundation survey.
