Latest KFF Health News Stories
Single-Payer Health Care On Colorado Ballot In 2016
The group ColoradoCareYES gathered enough signatures — more than 100,000 — to put a single-payer health system on the ballot next fall. But the price tag is a worry to some.
Despite Hopes Of Health Law Advocates, ‘Multi-State’ Health Plans Unavailable In Many States
The authors of the law mandated the program to try to generate more competition in areas where few plans were available. But the effort has stalled.
Uninsured People Eligible For Obamacare Face Average $969 Penalty In 2016
Average penalties are set to rise 47 percent next year for Americans who can afford insurance but choose to remain uncovered, according to a Kaiser Family Foundation analysis.
Mom Left Me Money, But Does Uncle Sam Get It As Repayment For My Subsidy?
KHN’s consumer columnist answers questions about the effects a change of income can have on an individual’s subsidy for insurance premiums and dental care for Medicare beneficiaries.
Kentucky Strategy Will Test Need For State-Run Obamacare Exchanges
Experts say Gov.-elect Matt Bevin’s plan to drop Kynect and use the federal healthcare.gov marketplace would have little impact on consumers, if it happens.
Major Insurer Says It Will Offer Individual Life Insurance Coverage To People With HIV
The move signals growing recognition of HIV/AIDS’ transformation from a death sentence to a serious but manageable disease.
Medicaid Denies Nearly Half Of Requests For Hepatitis C Drugs: Study
Researchers at the University of Pennsylvania found that Medicaid turned down requests for new expensive drugs to treat hepatitis C 46 percent of the time, while private insurers barred them 10 percent and Medicare 5 percent.
Study: Health Plan Buyers Will Save Money If They Shop
Premiums could jump 15 percent next year for millions if they keep 2015 plans, reports the Kaiser Family Foundation.
New Health Plans Offer Discounts For Diabetes Care
Aetna is rolling out a special gold-level plan for 2016 that is aimed at providing better care for people with diabetes in the hopes of keeping them healthier—and their costs down. But it’s not clear the plans are a good buy.
Obamacare Recruiters Seek Uninsured At Food Fairs And Churches
Floridians without health insurance query experts and ponder options as the health law’s open enrollment season gets underway.
Study Finds Marketplace Silver Plans Offer Poor Access To HIV Drugs
Only 16 percent of the popular plans cover all 10 of the most common drug regimens and charge less than $100 a month in consumer cost sharing, according to a report by Avalere Health.
Musicians Struggle To Buy Insurance In A City That Thrives On Music
The music industry generates $1.6 billion a year for Austin, Texas. But many musicians can’t afford the basics, including health insurance. The Health Alliance for Austin Musicians steps in to help.
Five Things Young Adults Should Know About Buying Health Insurance
Open enrollment under Obamacare started Nov. 1 – if you’re uninsured, now’s the time to consider options.
Consumer Confusion Continues In Obamacare’s Third Year
Officials are reaching out to people who sat on the sidelines for the first two years of the health law, and they are finding the law is still not well understood – and, for some, insurance is still too expensive.
Marketplace Plans Covering Out-Of-Network Care Harder To Find
Two studies analyze the decline in PPO plans that provide some coverage when patients seek care from doctors, hospitals and other providers that are not on the plan’s network.
Small Businesses Snub Obamacare’s SHOP Exchange
Software problems, better health insurance options elsewhere are said to hold enrollment well under projections after almost two years.
Even In High-Deductible Plans, Some Service May Be Covered Without Cost To You
KHN’s consumer columnist answers readers’ questions about high deductible plans, out of network benefits and increases in premium costs.
Exchanges Face Sign-Up Challenges As Health Law’s 3rd Open Enrollment Begins
After millions of people signed up for Obamacare over the past two years, the ones still lacking insurance may be harder to both find and persuade to enroll.
Enrollment Guide: A Few Tips To Help You Shop For A New Marketplace Plan
Federal officials are promising that new healthcare.gov features – some of which are still being tested – will make the process of choosing coverage easier.
Premiums For Key Marketplace Silver Plans Rising An Average Of 7.5 Percent, HHS Says
Federal officials say tax credits will blunt the impact of price increases in 2016 for most consumers buying the second-lowest silver health plan in 37 states.
