Latest KFF Health News Stories
What’s In A (Domain) Name? Lookalike Site In Wash. Raises Concerns
Washington Healthplanfinder is the name of the state’s online insurance exchange. But a private insurance agency is using the domain name “washingtonhealthplanfinder.org” to sign people up for policies. Confused? State officials want to make certain consumers won’t be. “We are aware of this site and … forwarded to our Washington State Office of the Insurance Commissioner […]
R.I. Woman Among First To Enroll In Obamacare Exchange
Uninsured for more than five years, Leslie Peters says she was “chompin’ at the bit” to get coverage to afford regular medical care that she often has gone without. That’s why as soon as HealthSource RI, the Rhode Island online health insurance exchange, went live Tuesday, she enrolled. “I was so excited,” said Peters, who lives […]
HHS Releases List Of Premium Rates For 36 States
Consumers trying to price health insurance in the new federally run health marketplaces may have been having trouble getting through the government’s main web site, healthcare.gov, but there’s a backdoor way to see the plans that are being offered in 36 states. The Department of Health and Human Services has posted premiums for more than […]
Live Blog: Exchanges Launch, Government Shuts Down
It’s Oct. 1, which means that the online insurance marketplaces created by the Affordable Care Act are launching. But it also means that the start of the new federal fiscal year was marked by a government shutdown. KHN helps you make sense of the day’s developments on this live blog and with our coverage of […]
Marketplace Shoppers Must Pay 1st Premium By Dec. 15
Correction: An earlier version of this item misstated the forms of payment insurers are required to accept for plans sold on insurance marketplaces. The only required forms of payment are personal checks, electronic fund transfers, prepaid debit cards, cashier’s checks and money orders. Insurers may also opt to accept other forms of payment, such as credit […]
Answering Your Last Minute Questions On Online Health Insurance Exchanges
KHN’s Phil Galewitz was on C-SPAN’s Washington Journal Monday morning taking questions about tomorrow’s launch of the health law’s online health insurance exchanges. See related stories: In Kentucky, Confusion And Misinformation Abound KHN reporters will be returning to C-SPAN’s Washington Journal each Monday throughout the summer. Tune in each week to stay informed about the […]
Monthly Premiums For A ‘Benchmark’ Silver Plan In Federally Run Insurance Marketplaces
This chart lists sample premiums in the 36 states where the federal government is running the online insurance marketplaces.
Poll Finds Most Unaware of Tuesday Opening of Health Insurance Marketplaces
A new poll finds a majority of the public — especially those lacking health coverage — is unaware that new insurance marketplaces created by the health law are slated to open this week. The poll also found deep skepticism of media coverage of the law, with more than half the public saying they don’t trust […]
Purchasing Health Insurance After Oct. 1
As part of the Washington Post’s continuing series of online discussions about the health law’s new insurance marketplaces, Insuring Your Health columnist Michelle Andrews answered readers questions today. A transcript of today’s discussion follows. READER QUESTION: Can you explain the difference between purchasing insurance via a state exchange versus the open market? Will there be major differences […]
Medicare To Delay Enforcement Of New Observation Rule
Medicare officials announced Thursday that they will delay enforcement of controversial new rules that define when hospital patients should receive observation care, rather than being admitted, a distinction that makes beneficiaries ineligible for follow-up nursing home coverage. The new rules take effect Tuesday, but officials said they will not be enforced until at least Jan. […]
Video: Health Law Changes, Seniors And Medicare
KHN’s Mary Agnes Carey appeared on PBS Newshour Thursday night to answer questions from seniors uncertain of how the Affordable Care Act will affect people older Americans and what changes are coming for Medicare recipients. Watch the video below.
Online Obamacare Enrollment In Spanish Delayed
The Spanish-language version of healthcare.gov will not be equipped to handle online enrollments on Oct 1., according to an Obama administration official. Instead, Spanish speakers will have to wait until Oct. 21 to sign up online. The official said the new signup date should not be considered a delay, but rather the administration is choosing […]
Answering Consumer Questions About Obamacare Marketplaces
As part of the Washington Post’s continuing series of online discussions about the health law’s new insurance marketplaces, KHN’s Phil Galewitz and the Post’s Sarah Kliff answered readers questions today. A transcript of today’s discussion follows. READER QUESTION: Neither my husband nor I receive health insurance through an employer and have had an individual plan […]
New Health Care Options For Young Adults In 2014
KHN’s Mary Agnes Carey appeared on PBS Newshour Tuesday night to answer questions from young adult viewers uncertain of how they will be affected by the health law. Watch the video below.
Current, Former Presidents Promote Enrollment In Marketplaces
This story comes from our partner ‘s Shots blog. President Obama’s health care law has so far survived challenges in Congress and the courts. But its biggest test could begin next week. That’s when the online marketplaces offering health care coverage to the uninsured are set to start signing people up. The question is, will […]
3 States, 3 Different Obamacare Outreach Plans
How many ads will it take to get the uninsured signed up for the new coverage options launching Oct. 1? States do not know yet. But those running their own marketplaces are rolling out some creative new outreach techniques to get there as quickly as possible. In Oregon, where recent television ads resemble a Portlandia […]
Questions And Answers About Obamacare Marketplaces
KHN’s Mary Agnes Carey and Julie Appleby were hosted once again by the Washington Post’s Charity Brown for a live discussion with Post readers about how the new online marketplaces will work under the health law. KHN reporters will participate in more live discussions with Post readers in the coming days. A transcript of today’s discussion […]
Back For An Encore: Your Questions About Insurance Marketplaces
KHN’s Julie Appleby and Mary Agnes Carey, who answered Washington Post reader questions about enrollment in the health law’s new insurance marketplaces last week, are back by popular demand at 12 noon ET today. If you can’t participate in the discussion live, you can submit your questions in advance: http://live.washingtonpost.com/shopping-for-obamacare.html A full transcript of the Q&A session […]
Federal Judge Throws Out Lawsuit Over Hospital Observation Care
A federal court judge in Hartford, Conn., dismissed a lawsuit Monday which was filed against the government by 14 Medicare beneficiaries who were denied nursing home coverage. Under Medicare rules, only patients admitted to a hospital for at least three consecutive days are eligible for coverage of follow-up nursing home care. The beneficiaries who brought the suit […]
How Will Obamacare Affect Workers And Their Health Coverage?
KHN’s Jay Hancock was on C-SPAN’s Washington Journal Monday morning taking questions about how the health law will affect the health insurance coverage workers get from their employers and what they need to know. See related stories: FAQ: How Employer-Sponsored Health Insurance Is Changing KHN reporters will be returning to C-SPAN’s Washington Journal each Monday […]
