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Listen: Do Consumers Benefit When Hospitals Post Sticker Prices Online?

January 14, 2019 KFF Health News Original

As of Jan. 1, hospitals must post price lists — known as chargemasters — online. These massive compendiums include the costs set by each hospital for every service or drug a patient might encounter.

Patients Suffer When Health Care Behemoths Quarrel Over Contracts

By Barbara Feder Ostrov February 1, 2019 KFF Health News Original

The latest example is Sutter Health and Anthem Blue Cross, whose failure to seal a deal is causing Anthem members to worry they may not have access to one of the dominant hospital chains in Northern California. Across the U.S., the stakes in such contract fights have risen, as health systems and insurers battle to increase their market share.

Transparent Hospital Pricing Exposes Wild Fluctuation, Even Within Miles

By Harriet Blair Rowan February 4, 2019 KFF Health News Original

A new federal rule requires hospitals to post their prices online. These lists reveal the wildly different charges for basic procedures and services, but consumers will have a hard time putting this information to use.

End Of Tax Penalty Could Fall Hardest On Previously Uninsured Californians

By Barbara Feder Ostrov January 7, 2019 KFF Health News Original

A new report shows that Hispanics, young people, the healthy and the poor — all groups with high rates of uninsurance before the Affordable Care Act — are the most likely to forgo insurance now that the tax penalty for not having it has been eliminated.

Feds Say California May Have Spent Nearly $1B On Ineligible Medi-Cal Beneficiaries

By Barbara Feder Ostrov December 14, 2018 KFF Health News Original

The potentially improper payments occurred in 2014 and 2015, when the state says it was under pressure from a massive influx of new applicants due to the Affordable Care Act’s Medicaid expansion.

Blue Shield’s Trims To Out-Of-State Coverage Give Some Californians The Blues

By Barbara Feder Ostrov December 12, 2018 KFF Health News Original

To keep costs down, Blue Shield of California next year will scale back on a program allowing members to receive a wide range of care beyond the state’s borders. Customers with individual plans mostly won’t be able to get coverage out of state except for emergencies or other exceptional circumstances.

Students With Disabilities Call College Admissions Cheating ‘Big Slap In The Face’

By Barbara Feder Ostrov and Ana B. Ibarra March 14, 2019 KFF Health News Original

Parents of students with legitimate learning disabilities worry that a backlash against providing special accommodations in college admissions testing could make it harder for them to succeed.

More Than Half Of California Nursing Homes Balk At Stricter Staffing Rules

By Barbara Feder Ostrov December 7, 2018 KFF Health News Original

Patient advocates say the state’s new staffing regulations are a good start toward better protecting the frail, but the nursing home industry contends they’re too burdensome.

California: hogares para adultos mayores se resisten a cumplir reglas de personal

By Barbara Feder Ostrov December 7, 2018 KFF Health News Original

Nuevas normas exigen que los hogares ofrezcan atención individualizada a sus residentes por más tiempo al día.

California Attorney General And Santa Clara County Face Off Over Sale Of Two Hospitals

By Samantha Young and Barbara Feder Ostrov January 29, 2019 KFF Health News Original

California Attorney General Xavier Becerra is trying to prevent Santa Clara County from buying two local nonprofit hospitals unless it pledges to maintain certain critical health care services. County officials warn the hospitals will close if the attorney general succeeds, leaving area residents with fewer health care choices.

Hello? It’s I, Robot, And Have I Got An Insurance Plan For You!

By Barbara Feder Ostrov November 6, 2018 KFF Health News Original

An “epidemic” of robocalls timed to open-enrollment season are largely illegal, fraudulent or aim to rope you into insurance you don’t need or can’t use. They’re also really annoying.

As Hospitals Post Sticker Prices Online, Most Patients Will Remain Befuddled

By Julie Appleby and Barbara Feder Ostrov January 4, 2019 KFF Health News Original

The new rule took effect Jan. 1 but, for consumers seeking hospital price information, using it to find answers may be like searching for a needle in a haystack.

That’s A Lot Of Scratch: The $48,329 Allergy Test

By Barbara Feder Ostrov October 29, 2018 KFF Health News Original

A California college professor never imagined that trying to figure out what was causing her rash could add up to such a huge bill.

Podcast: KHN’s ‘What The Health?’ Split Decision On Health Care

November 8, 2018 KFF Health News Original

In this episode of KHN’s “What the Health?” Julie Rovner of Kaiser Health News, Margot Sanger-Katz of The New York Times, Rebecca Adams of CQ Roll Call and Joanne Kenen of Politico discuss the Trump administration’s new birth control coverage rules and the potential impact of the midterm election results on health policy.

Podcast: KHN’s ‘What The Health?’ Open Enrollment And A Midterm Preview

November 1, 2018 KFF Health News Original

In this episode of KHN’s “What the Health?” Julie Rovner of Kaiser Health News, Margot Sanger-Katz of The New York Times, Anna Edney of Bloomberg News and Joanne Kenen of Politico discuss the start of open enrollment for individual health insurance plans for 2019 and preview what next week’s midterm elections might mean for health policy. Plus, Barbara Feder Ostrov of KHN and California Healthline talks to Julie about the latest NPR-KHN “Bill of the Month” feature.

Doctor To The Stars Disciplined Over Use Of Controversial Menopause Therapy

By Barbara Feder Ostrov September 12, 2018 KFF Health News Original

Dr. Prudence Hall has made a name for herself in the field of “bioidentical hormones” — plant-based compounds purportedly customized for each patient’s needs. Experts say the popular approach is unproven; California regulators say she was grossly negligent in her care of two patients.

En California, médicos acusados de conducta sexual inapropiada a menudo tienen una segunda oportunidad

By Barbara Feder Ostrov and Harriet Blair Rowan December 14, 2018 KFF Health News Original

Muy pocos casos de médicos sospechados de conducta sexual inapropiada en el estado terminan en acusaciones formales o en revocación de licencias.

In California, Doctors Accused Of Sexual Misconduct Often Get Second Chances

By Barbara Feder Ostrov and Harriet Blair Rowan December 14, 2018 KFF Health News Original

The state medical board grants probation in more than a third of cases, a KHN analysis found. Even as other institutions adapt to lessons of the #MeToo movement, the board plans no significant changes, saying it has always prioritized discipline for sexual misconduct.

Stanford’s Chief Wellness Officer Aims To Prevent Physician Burnout

By Barbara Feder Ostrov August 3, 2018 KFF Health News Original

Tait Shanafelt focuses on helping doctors cope with such problems as long hours and copious record-keeping, seeking to prevent burnout and reduce the rate of physician suicide. As doctors’ well-being improves, he says, so does patient care.

Community Frets As Buyer For Cherished Rural Hospital Slips From View

By Barbara Feder Ostrov July 27, 2018 KFF Health News Original

Some residents of remote Surprise Valley in Northern California fear their hospital will close like so many others around the country, as hope wanes for financial support from a Denver entrepreneur. The businessman, Beau Gertz, had planned to raise money through lab billing for faraway patients.

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