Latest KFF Health News Stories
High Costs Of HIV Drugs On Some Illinois Insurance Plans May Be Discriminatory, Say Advocates
The AIDS Foundation of Chicago has warned Coventry, Humana and two other insurers that their pricing of AIDS drugs may violate the health care law’s protections against discrimination.
Sign-Up Season Is Over, But List Of Special Enrollment Events Is Expanding
A new regulation takes effect in April that expands the circumstances that enable people to sign up or switch health coverage, even though open enrollment officially ended Feb. 15.
May I Move My Son From My Insurance Plan To A Better Option On The Marketplace?
KHN consumer columnist Michelle Andrews answers readers’ questions about enrolling at this point in marketplace plans, CHIP enrollment and Medicare disability.
Lesser-Known Florida Insurance Exchange Spends $2.4M, Signs Up 50 People
State legislators created Florida Health Choices in 2008 as a voluntary marketplace for Floridians to purchase coverage, but no subsidized policies are offered.
Obama Administration Disallows Plans Without Hospital Coverage
Large-employer plans without inpatient benefits were seen as a health law loophole that trapped workers in inadequate insurance. Now, the Obama administration has blocked them.
Supreme Court Case May Be A Wake-Up Call For Republicans
Republicans fear backlash if they don’t have a plan to help those who might lose subsidies if the Supreme Court strikes down a key tenet of the health law.
Many Uninsured Don’t Realize They May Face A Tax Penalty
A recent survey found that 44 percent of people who could be hit with penalties for not getting covered don’t know the consequences they face.
Advocates Press For Uninsured To Get Special Enrollment Option After They See Tax Penalties
Many people will find out about the penalties for not having insurance in 2014 only when they file their taxes, but by then it will be too late to enroll and avoid the same problem in 2015. Advocates want the government to offer them a special enrollment period.
5 Tips For Procrastinators Who Need To Buy Health Insurance
The deadline for enrolling in coverage for 2015 is Sunday. Officials say people still have time to get through the process, but they should move quickly.
UnitedHealthcare’s Efforts To Join California Marketplace Meet Resistance
The request ran afoul of the official policy against allowing most insurers to join the statewide exchange for three years that didn’t choose to sell there when it opened in 2014. But officials last month also made some exceptions for insurers that want to operate in poorly served areas.
Despite Efforts, Latino ACA Enrollment Lags
Still, since October 2013, 2.6 million Latinos gained insurance through the health law, according to HHS. As of last June, the percentage of Latinos without health insurance dropped from 36 percent to 23 percent, but Latinos still face extra paperwork and language barriers.
Obamacare Enrollment Falling Short In Washington State
While enrollment in the state’s Medicaid program has surged, the number of residents signing up for private plans is less than expected as the Feb. 15 deadline looms.
Despite Health Law Rules, Some Contraceptives May Require Co-Payments
The health overhaul mandated that insurers cover all costs for FDA-approved methods of birth control, but advocates and consumers say some plans have placed certain generic birth control pills among classes of drugs that require cost sharing.
GOP Chairmen Offer Alternative To Health Law
Sens. Orrin Hatch and Richard Burr join with Rep. Fred Upton to renew a proposal to repeal the health law but preserve some tax credits for insurance and cuts to some Medicare providers.
Why Florida Is No. 1 In Obamacare Enrollment Despite GOP Opposition
More Floridians have signed up for private health exchange plans than in any other state thanks to online mapping tools, coordinated outreach efforts and insurers’ involvement — and in spite of Republican opposition.
IRS Eases Repayment Rules For Excess Health Premium Subsidies
Health insurance marketplace customers who received too much in tax credits in 2014 won’t face a late penalty if they don’t pay back the money by April 15, but they still face interest charges.
If Supreme Court Rules Against Insurance Subsidies, Most Want Them Restored
A new poll shows that most Americans favor governmental action to restore subsidies if the Supreme Court limits their availability.
Do I Have To Repay Premium Tax Credits If The Marketplace Miscalculated Them?
KHN’s consumer columnist answers questions from readers about premiums, the health law’s tax credits and penalties.
Obamacare Drug Coverage Descriptions May Confuse Consumers About Costs, Study Finds
Healthcare.gov only allows insurance plans to list cost sharing details for four drug tiers, but many plans on the website have more than that, potentially leading to consumer confusion, according to an analysis by Avalere Health.
Once, Same-Sex Couples Couldn’t Wed; Now, Some Employers Say They Must
With same sex marriage legal in 35 states, some employers say they will no longer provide benefits to unmarried partners.
