Cognitive Rehab May Help Older Adults Clear Covid-Related Brain Fog
By Judith Graham
August 5, 2022
KFF Health News Original
People whose brains have been injured by concussions, traumatic accidents, strokes, or neurodegenerative conditions such as Parkinson’s disease can benefit from targeted therapy. Experts also employ therapies for long-covid patients with memory and language problems.
Spotlight Falls On ‘Two-Midnight Rule’ For Medicare Patient Hospital Stays
May 16, 2024
Morning Briefing
Modern Healthcare reports on how providers and Medicare Advantage companies are reacting to the new policy that allows more patient visits to be categorized as higher-cost inpatient care. Separately, reports explain how Blackstone Equity Healthcare is lowering costs.
Comienzan a estar disponibles audífonos de venta libre desde $199
By Phil Galewitz
October 17, 2022
KFF Health News Original
Los audífonos de venta libre cuestan menos en parte porque no incluyen los servicios de un experto para una evaluación auditiva, ajuste y afinación del dispositivo. En cambio, los nuevos dispositivos deben ser configurados por los propios consumidores.
4 Months After Cyberattack, VA Grapples With Paying Providers
June 26, 2024
Morning Briefing
The attack hit a third-party company that manages some processes for the Department of Veterans Affairs. Officials say they’re still working to clear a backlog of payments to pharmacies and other providers. Also in the news: AI use by Medicare Advantage insurers.
Cyberattack Insurance In The Spotlight After UnitedHealth Hack
March 21, 2024
Morning Briefing
Meanwhile, UnitedHealth Group said its Change Healthcare subsidiary’s systems for handling medical claims were back online, about a month after the attack. Also in the news: Medicare Advantage, hospital staff shortages, and more.
Now Included In First-Aid Guidelines: Overdoses, Seizures, And More
December 4, 2024
Morning Briefing
In the first update since 2010, the American Heart Association and the American Red Cross have included how to treat opioid overdoses and open chest wounds, among other things. Other industry news includes strikes, hospital closures, Medicare Advantage, and more.
4.2% Medicare Pay Raise Coming To Nursing Homes In Fiscal 2025
August 1, 2024
Morning Briefing
The rate is higher than the 4.1% the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services proposed in March. Also in the news: Humana predicts losing a few hundred thousand Medicare Advantage members next year; Google is not renewing its contract with Amazon One Medical for staff care; and more.
Study: Hospitals Charge Commercial Insurance Double That Of Medicare Advantage Plans
August 10, 2023
Morning Briefing
An analysis of published hospital pricing and insurer payment data finds that commercial insurance payers were charged more than 2 times that of Medicare Advantage. The gap was even larger for surgical procedures.
‘Free’ Screening? Know Your Rights to Get No-Cost Care
By Julie Appleby
July 6, 2022
KFF Health News Original
Even a decade in, the Affordable Care Act’s recommendations to simply cover preventive screening and care without cost sharing remain confusing and complex.
Survey Finds Nearly 80% Dissatisfied With Cost Of Health Care In US
December 9, 2024
Morning Briefing
In the lowest marks in over two decades, a Gallup poll finds that only 19% of Americans are satisfied with the costs of health care in 2024. Quality ratings suffer as well, with less than a majority of people giving “good” or “excellent.” And a separate survey looks at Medicare Advantage plans.
Under Trump, Privately Run Health Care Plans Favored Over ACA And Medicaid
November 7, 2024
Morning Briefing
In the aftermath of the election, health care companies that offer federally funded plans, like ACA and Medicaid, are likely to suffer, while private ones, like Medicare Advantage, will likely benefit from the Republican win. Also, more about what to expect from the Trump presidency.
Regulations Take Aim At Misleading Medicare Ads As Enrollment Opens
October 17, 2023
Morning Briefing
New Biden administration rules crafted to combat deceptive Medicare marketing tactics face their first big test this enrollment season. Other open enrollment news relates to coinsurance changes, Medicare Advantage, and more.
Morning Briefing for Monday, April 3, 2023
April 3, 2023
Morning Briefing
Preventive care appeal, Medicare Advantage cuts, a Medicare fund warning, “kraken” covid variant, mental health, and more are in the news.
‘It’s Becoming Too Expensive to Live’: Anxious Older Adults Try to Cope With Limited Budgets
By Judith Graham
September 7, 2022
KFF Health News Original
Three women explain how life’s surprises can catapult their efforts to carefully manage limited budgets and lead to financial distress.
Overpayments To Medicare Advantage Insurers Now Top $75 Billion Yearly
June 14, 2023
Morning Briefing
Axios reports that the overpayment figure, from researchers at the USC Schaeffer Center for Health Policy & Economics, is higher than estimated. Also in the news, better working conditions demanded by SLU Hospital nurses, growing demand for home health nursing programs, and more.
Why Medicare Doesn’t Pay for Rapid At-Home Covid Tests
By Michelle Andrews
January 24, 2022
KFF Health News Original
The laws governing Medicare don’t provide coverage for self-administered diagnostic tests, which is precisely what the rapid antigen tests are and why they are an important tool for containing the pandemic.
Morning Briefing for Thursday, April 6, 2023
April 6, 2023
Morning Briefing
Abortion laws, air quality link to dementia, covid origins, RSV vaccine, Medicare Advantage denials, military suicides, and moer are in the news.
Trump Chooses Dr. Mehmet Oz To Run Medicare And Medicaid Agency
November 20, 2024
Morning Briefing
A former cardiothoracic surgeon and professor at Columbia University, Dr. Oz is better known to the public as a TV personality and has no experience running a government agency. If confirmed as the CMS administrator, he would be influential in major policies around how states run their Medicaid programs and regulations on Medicare Advantage private plans.
Morning Briefing for Friday, March 24, 2023
March 24, 2023
Morning Briefing
Autism rates, Medicare Advantage, abortion, covid vaccine requirements, TB, youth mental health, and more are in the news. Plus, weekend reads.
Humana Shares Plummet After Feds Slash Rating
October 3, 2024
Morning Briefing
Humana’s stock took a tumble after the provider admitted to the SEC that only about 1 in 4 of its members were signed up to Medicare Advantage plans rated four stars or more. Meanwhile, CMS is making it harder in 2025 for insurers to get top marks, due to changes in the way stars are calculated.
