Latest KFF Health News Stories
Perry-Appointed Board Backs Health Coverage Expansion
Panel recommends that the state negotiate a Texas-specific agreement with the federal government to expand health coverage to the poor.
Florida Hospitals Could Lose Billions Without Medicaid Expansion, Group Warns
Federal funding cuts made by the ACA and other programs will hit safety net hospitals hard.
Cigna Agrees To Reduce Costs Of HIV/AIDS Drugs In Florida
The health insurer signs a consent agreement saying it would cap the amount consumers must pay for four popular HIV drugs.
Missouri Primary Care Doctors Face Substantial Medicaid Cut
The health care law boosted payments for two years to primary care doctors who treat Medicaid patients. But that boost is set to expire, leaving some providers and their patients in a tough spot.
Obamacare Still Has “Back-End Issues”
While consumers may experience easier navigation, insurers are likely to have continuing difficulties, which could result in double-billing and other problems.
More Scrutiny Coming For Medicare Advantage, Obamacare
Federal officials are planning a wide range of audits into billing and government spending on managed health care in the new fiscal year, ranging from private Medicare Advantage groups that treat millions of elderly to health plans rapidly expanding under the Affordable Care Act.
Obamacare May Mean High Drug Costs For Floridians With HIV
ACA insurance plans may not be cheaper — or even affordable — for those with HIV and AIDS because of high medication costs, according to patient advocates.
Benefits ‘Essential’ In N.J. But Not In Pa.
The administration gave states leeway to define the benefits that must be covered by health plans sold through government exchanges, and Pennsylvania’s are a lot ‘stingier’ than those in some other states.
Medicaid Expansion Could Be In Play In Georgia After Election Day
Gov. Nathan Deal, a Republican, opposes the program’s expansion and signed a law giving final say to the Republican-controlled Legislature. But Democratic challenger Jason Carter, a state senator, says that if he were elected governor, he would seek a “creative solution” with state lawmakers.
North Carolinian Credits Early Cancer Diagnosis To New Health Coverage
In March, after Kimberly Tonyan got health insurance through the Affordable Care Act exchange, she spoke at a news conference urging others to enroll. Her 11-year-old twins stood at her side in Raleigh, N.C. “You have nothing to lose,” the Cornelius woman said, “but your life.” Little did she know. This copyrighted story comes from […]
Missouri Sees Urban, Rural Divide In Obamacare Signups
A lot of mistrust’ of the health law hampers enrollment in rural areas.
Hidden Costs For ‘Fully Covered’ Care Can Slam Patients’ Wallets
In North Carolina and elsewhere, hidden costs have popped up on “fully covered” services ranging from contraception to cancer screening to annual checkups, and it’s leaving a growing number of people to cover thousands of dollars out of pocket.
Is Texas Prepared for a Public Health Emergency?
Experts says a series of recent threats, including the first Ebola patient to develop symptoms in the U.S., raise questions about the state’s capacity to deal with contagious diseases.
Patients Take On More Health Care Costs But Struggle To Find Prices
The price a consumer pays for a medical procedure can vary significantly — often with little difference in quality.
In South Florida And The Nation, Health Care Costs Often Are Shrouded In Secrecy
Like many employers across the country, Miami-Dade County isn’t allowed to know the prices its own insurance administrators negotiate with healthcare providers, even though the county is self-insured and workers’ claims are paid with taxpayer dollars.
Health Care Prices: Many Moving Parts Veiled By Confidentiality Agreements
Unlike Medicare, private insurers do not publish their payments, and experts say the prices they pay hospitals for the same procedure vary widely.
Osteopathic Medicine Meshes With New Health Care Needs
The number of osteopathic doctors is increasing sharply, helping to meet the demand for primary care.
Rural Doctor Shortage Worsens As Newly Insured Washington Residents Seek Care
In one Olympic Peninsula community, a clinic turns away 250 callers a week.
Five States To Get Early Access To Small Business Health Insurance Marketplace
This copyrighted story comes from the St. Louis Post-Dispatch , produced in partnership with KHN. All rights reserved. Businesses in five states will get an early look at the federal health insurance marketplace for small businesses, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid announced Wednesday. The states are Missouri, Illinois, Ohio, New Jersey and Delaware. Businesses […]
North Carolina’s $10B Medicaid Challenge: Pay For Other States Or Take Federal Money?
State taxpayers could spend more than $10 billion by 2022 to provide medical coverage for low-income residents of other states while getting nothing in return.