Insurance, Coverage & Costs
In Massachusetts, Proposed Medicaid Cuts Put Kids’ Health Care At Risk
By Martha Bebinger, WBUR
Doctors, consumers and politicians say big federal cuts to Medicaid funding would jeopardize the treatment a lot of kids rely on. The state would either have to make up lost funding or cut benefits.
Unpaid Premiums? Switching Plans? What Changes Are Coming For 2018 Coverage
By Michelle Andrews
Readers have a variety of concerns about what’s going to happen with 2018 marketplace coverage.
Health Insurers Try Paying More Upfront To Pay Less Later
By Mark Zdechlik, Minnesota Public Radio
Some health plans are beginning to offer free maintenance care for people with chronic health problems, hoping that spending a little more early on will save a lot of money in the long run.
Millions More Uninsured Could Impact Health Of Those With Insurance, Too
By Julie Rovner
The return to high rates of uninsurance expected under GOP plans to repeal and replace Obamacare would mean less access to health care for people with insurance too, researchers say.
Nursing Homes Move Into The Insurance Business
By Jordan Rau
Although proponents say the policies offered by nursing homes are more attuned to patients, some report frustrations when trying to dispute care decisions.
The Union That Roars: Nurses Aren’t Giving Up On California’s Single-Payer Push
By Pauline Bartolone
The California Nurses Association, representing some 100,000 registered nurses, is regarded statewide and nationally as a progressive political powerhouse. “Politicians are afraid” of the activists they turn out, said one critic.
As Seniors Get Sicker, They’re More Likely To Drop Medicare Advantage Plans
By Fred Schulte
Medicare Advantage plans offer good value and aim to keep patients healthy but sicker people are far more likely to quit because they can’t get the care they need.
The Call-In: Answers To Questions About Our Business-Driven Health System
On NPR's Weekend Edition Sunday, KHN's Elisabeth Rosenthal answers questions about the high cost of U.S. health care, while NPR's Gisele Grayson addresses how the Senate bill to replace the Affordable Care Act would change the system.
California Joins States That Protect Patients Against Nasty Surprise Bills
By Emily Bazar
A California law that takes effect July 1 prohibits out-of-network charges if you visit a medical facility that’s in your health plan’s network. New York and Florida also offer strong consumer protections.
Hospitals Ramp Up Hyperbaric Therapy For Diabetics, Despite Concerns
By Phil Galewitz
Medicare is trying to deter overuse of hyperbaric therapy, and some experts question its effectiveness for healing diabetic wounds, one of the treatment’s fastest-growing uses.
Despite A Growing Appetite, Buffet-Style Flat-Fee Clinics Shutter In Seattle
By Michelle Andrews
A small number of medical practices have been moving to “direct primary care,” in which patients pay a monthly retainer for unlimited services. But the collapse of Qliance in Seattle may portend problems with the business model.
Out Of Work And Looking For Insurance: COBRA May Be The Best Bet For Now
By Michelle Andrews
With lots of questions about the 2018 insurance market still in play, someone who is between jobs might want to stick with their job-based insurance at least until the outlines of the health law’s marketplaces are clear in the fall.
As Insurance Options Shrink, Families Are ‘Holding Our Breath’
By Steven Findlay
One of two insurers in this tiny state has announced it will not be back in the marketplaces next year, leaving customers concerned about the prices they will pay.
If Insurance Market Crashes, Can Lawmakers Put The Pieces Back Together?
By Julie Rovner
Actions by the Trump administration are putting pressure on the fragile market for individuals who buy their own coverage, but analysts say it should be able to rebound.
When An Insurer Balks And Treatment Stops
By Anna Gorman
A 22-year old man from Orange County, Calif., alleges in a lawsuit that his health insurer stopped paying for a crucial — and expensive — immunotherapy drug, leading him to become seriously ill. Treatments for patients with similar conditions are increasingly denied or interrupted, experts and patient advocates say.
Consumer Advocates Wary Of New Marketplace Rules For Brokers
By Michelle Andrews
Federal officials relaxed their rules this month about how brokers and insurers can work with individuals to apply for health law policies.