Latest KFF Health News Stories
Feds Approve Minn. Exchange, Insurers Scramble To Develop Health Plans
The federal government’s conditional approval Thursday for Minnesota to operate a health insurance exchange means insurers have just a few months to develop new health plans.
After Newtown Shootings, Questions About Mental Health Insurance Coverage
Gaps in insurance coverage for mental health treatment persist despite new laws — including the health law and the Mental Health Parity Act of 2008 — expanding such coverage. Here are some frequently asked questions and answers about mental health care in America.
Governors Weigh Options On Health Insurance Exchanges
What’s at stake if they build state-based exchanges, partner with the federal government — or let federal regulators run everything?
Parity for Behavioral Health Coverage Delayed by Lack of Federal Rules
The Obama administration has yet to complete federal regulations implementing rules that would enable states to enforce a mental health parity bill President George W. Bush signed into law, and in the meantime, behavioral health may have fallen behind.
Insurance Surcharges Will Fund Most Online Exchanges Created Under Health Law
The fees will make the markets self-supporting, but some state officials and insurers worry they could put coverage out of reach for some consumers.
Analysis: Health Exchanges And The Litigation Landscape
Health law critics are continuing their fight against the sweeping overhaul with legal challenges that aim to undermine the law’s employer and individual mandates.
Minnesota Facing Bigger Bill For State’s Health Insurance Exchange
Minnesota’s state health insurance exchange will cost $54 million in 2015 to operate; earlier estimates were $30 to $40 million.
Obama Administration Extends Deadline For State Exchanges
The decision is a concession to the reality that many states had delayed planning as they waited to see who won the presidential election.
Obama Win Boosts Health Law, But States Still Control Its Destiny
State lawmakers will control big coverage decisions, including whether to expand Medicaid to cover millions of uninsured.
Consumer Advocate Cautions That State Rules Will Impact Scope Of Health Law
Timothy Stoltzfus Jost talks to Michelle Andrews about a report he co-authored for state insurance commissioners about setting up the federal law.
Seeking Treatment For Binge Eating Disorder
Even though the DSM will soon recognize binge eating disorder, many patients have trouble getting coverage for treatment.
Patients Often Find Getting Coverage For Eating Disorders Is Tough
Treatment can involve medical care, mental health treatments and nutritional therapy, but insurers say there is little research to show what is the best course of action.
Health Policy Finds Its Way Into Town Hall Debate
Even when the questions aren’t about health care, many of the responses are. Here’s what Obama and Romney had to say Tuesday night about contraception, Medicare and the health law.
Insurers Get Ready For Exchanges, But Exchanges May Not Be Ready For Them
Insurers are spending big dollars on marketing, technology and risk analysis of the new health care landscape. But with exchanges supposed to go live in late 2013, where and how companies will plunge – and how deep – is far from clear.
Insurance Dependents Can Face Special Challenges On Privacy
The health law may create new challenges for maintaining dependents’ medical confidentiality.
States Moving Ahead On Defining ‘Essential’ Health Insurance Benefits Under Federal Law
At least 16 states have decided on a minimum set of benefits for individual and group health plans starting in 2014, and many more states are close to decisions.
Colorado Gets Closer To Essential Health Benefit Benchmark
Colorado is moving forward with broad consensus among the state’s decision makers on the minimum level of health coverage people will be required to carry beginning in 2014.
Colorado Pursues Insurance Exchange-But Keeps Fighting About It
A special legislative committee gave Colorado the green light on Thursday to continue working on its health insurance exchange by allowing it to apply for a $43 million federal grant. But first the lawmakers had to fight about it.
Some Plans Deny Pregnancy Coverage For Dependent Children
Although group health plans must cover workers or their spouses if they become pregnant, they don’t have to extend that insurance to children.
Missouri Ballot Referendum Makes Health Law A Hot Issue
The health care law isn’t the first issue on most voters’ minds, but in Missouri there’s a high-profile battle over whether to establish a state insurance exchange.
