Medicare’s Efforts To Curb Backlog Of Appeals Not Sufficient, GAO Reports
By Susan Jaffe
June 10, 2016
KFF Health News Original
Investigators from the GAO call for HHS to improve oversight of the Medicare appeals process and streamline it to make sure repetitive claims are handled more efficiently.
Single Mom’s Search For Therapist Foiled By Insurance Companies
By April Dembosky, KQED
July 28, 2016
KFF Health News Original
A single mom, a son with autism and a maddening search for the help she badly needed.
State Highlights: Little Has Changed With Pa. Mental Health Care Following Lawsuit; Calif.’s Health Care Liability Jumps By $2.5B
January 26, 2017
Morning Briefing
Outlets report on news from Pennsylvania, California, Virginia, Minnesota, Kansas, Texas, Louisiana, Arizona and Florida.
How Medicare Drug Plans Hope To Follow Private Sector Lead
By Julie Appleby
March 18, 2016
KFF Health News Original
The proposal that Medicare made this month to better control prescription drug costs involves testing strategies used with some success in the private sector.
Anthem Deal Would Result In $3B Being Passed On To Employers, Company’s Expert Testifies
December 2, 2016
Morning Briefing
Economist Mark Israel defended the Anthem-Cigna merger and said the Justice Department’s expert erred in ignoring savings from reduced medical costs estimated in his analysis of the deal’s impact. Meanwhile, Anthem could face a $3 billion penalty from Blue Cross Blue Shield Association if it acquires Cigna and the Aetna-Humana trial is set to start on Monday.
For Doctors-In-Training, A Dose Of Health Policy Can Help The Medicine Go Down
By Julie Rovner
June 10, 2016
KFF Health News Original
Medical residents at George Washington University spend three weeks examining and diagnosing the nation’s health care system.
After Eleventh-Hour Negotiations, House Set To Vote On $6.3B Cures Bill
November 30, 2016
Morning Briefing
While Democrats are still unhappy with some aspects of the legislation, it’s expected to make it through the House and move on to a Senate vote next week.
Viejos moteles cobran nueva vida ayudando a las personas sin hogar a sanar
By David Gorn
Photos by Heidi de Marco
July 12, 2016
KFF Health News Original
El uso de moteles deteriorados para cuidar y albergar temporalmente a personas sin hogar recientemente dadas de alta del hospital ayuda a estabilizarlos de manera económica, previniendo retornos innecesarios y costosos a las salas de emergencia y a los hospitales.
As Hospital Chains Grow, So Do Their Prices For Care
By Chad Terhune
June 13, 2016
KFF Health News Original
The average patient stay costs $4,000 more at Sutter and Dignity hospitals than at other California medical centers, study shows.
Rise In Oncologists Working For Hospitals Spurs Higher Chemo Costs: Study
By Michelle Andrews
April 15, 2016
KFF Health News Original
Researchers found that the facility fees hospitals and their clinics routinely add to the bill helps drive the price increases.
Colon Cancer Screening: Five Things To Know
By Julie Appleby
June 24, 2016
KFF Health News Original
The U.S Preventive Services Task Force recently expanded the list of approved colorectal cancer screening tests. Here’s a primer on these various tests and how they might be covered now and in the future by health insurance.
Despite Overdose Epidemic, Georgia Caps The Number Of Opioid Treatment Clinics
By Michell Eloy, WABE
June 20, 2016
KFF Health News Original
Georgia has stopped licensing new clinics that provide medication-assisted treatment for opioid addiction. Some call the state’s move irresponsible. Others say the clinics aren’t regulated enough.
FDA Considering Pricey Implant As Treatment For Opioid Addiction
By Martha Bebinger, WBUR
May 25, 2016
KFF Health News Original
The FDA could soon approve an implantable form of a drug used to treat opioid addiction. While the approach helped patients avoid relapse in tests, its price may be prohibitive for some, doctors say.
When Adult Children Get Sick, It May Be Hard For Parents To Get Information
By Michelle Andrews
May 31, 2016
KFF Health News Original
Federal law seeks to protect the privacy of patients’ health information, but sometimes leaving parents out of the loop can complicate the patient’s recovery.
California Insurance Marketplace Imposes New Quality, Cost Conditions On Plans
By Ana B. Ibarra David Gorn
April 8, 2016
KFF Health News Original
In a sweeping overhaul of its contracts, the state’s insurance exchange will require health plans to hold doctors and hospitals accountable for quality and cost.
Las vacunas no son sólo para los niños
By Anna Gorman
July 13, 2016
KFF Health News Original
La palabra “inmunización” evoca a la salud infantil. Ahora, los doctores de California están dirigiendo su atención a los adultos, quienes no han sido tan diligentes a la hora de recibir sus vacunas.
Delay Of New Health Law Forms May Confuse Some Taxpayers
By Michelle Andrews
February 16, 2016
KFF Health News Original
Employers, insurers and government health programs such as Medicare and Medicaid are required to send taxpayers a form showing whether they provided health care but the government has pushed back the deadline for the forms.
For Substance Abusers, Recovery-Oriented Care May Show The Way To A Productive Life
By Taylor Sisk
May 24, 2016
KFF Health News Original
Advocates emphasize peer support and community reintegration for people with behavioral health problems.
Covered California Health Plan Rates To Jump 13.2 Percent In 2017
By Chad Terhune Pauline Bartolone
July 19, 2016
KFF Health News Original
A double-digit increase, which follows two years of moderate rate hikes, is likely to resonate across the country in debate over Obamacare.
In Prince’s Age Group, Risk Of Opioid Overdose Climbs
By Kristin Espeland Gourlay, RINPR
May 6, 2016
KFF Health News Original
In 2013 and 2014, people ages 45 to 64 accounted for about half of all deaths from drug overdose, according to the CDC.
