Medicare Turns 50 But Big Challenges Await
Medicare provides coverage to one in six Americans, and federal officials hope to trim the increasing cost and improve how the program operates.
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Chasing Millions In Medicaid Dollars, Hospitals Buy Up Nursing Homes
The strategy has been used mostly in Indiana, where many county-owned hospitals purchased or leased nursing homes to take advantage of a wrinkle in Medicaid payment rules and augment federal reimbursements.
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Medicaid Expansion Takes A Bite Out Of Medical Debt
Medical debt is down across the country. In states that expanded Medicaid under the Affordable Care Act, the reduction is sharper.
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Are Medicare ACOs Working? Experts Disagree
Federal officials reported recently that in 2014 the accountable care organizations saved $411 million, but after the program paid bonuses to the successful groups, Medicare recorded a net loss of $2.6 million. So KHN asked a panel of experts to offer their views about the program.
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Good News, Bad News In Medicare Trustees Report
Trust fund solvent until 2030, but some seniors may see a big spike in Part B premiums.
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Medicare Slow To Adopt Telemedicine Due To Cost Concerns
Less than 1 percent of beneficiaries use the technology because Congress has put tight restrictions on it.
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Why One California County Went Surgery Shopping
Fed up with high hospital costs and limited competition, Santa Barbara County sends willing employees out of town for better bargains. Local governments are slowly joining private employers in aggressively seeking out the best care for the lowest price.
By Chad Terhune -
Decoding The High-Stakes Debate Over Medicare Advantage Cuts
In high-visibility ad campaigns, insurers maintain that reduced payment rates, which are expected to be announced Monday, will do real harm. What should beneficiaries expect?
By Jay Hancock -
Having Survived Court Ruling, Insurance Markets Still Face Economic Threats
Among the challenges for these online exchanges set up by the health law are attracting more customers, keeping consumers’ health costs affordable and quality high, and finding enough financing.
By Jordan Rau -
Follow The Money: Drugmakers Deploy Political Cash As Prices And Anger Mount
Embattled opioid seller Mallinckrodt is one of many pharmaceutical companies boosting political contributions and lobbying on Capitol Hill.
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When Your Doctor Leaves Your Health Plan, You Likely Can’t Follow
KHN’s consumer columnist answers readers’ questions about options when physicians leave an insurer’s network, the lack of coverage for hearing aids and penalties linked to insurance subsidies.
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EHealth Sees Once-Thriving Business Decline Due To Health Law Exchanges
The nation’s largest online broker lost thousands of customers, but some analysts suggest that if the Supreme Court strikes down subsidies on the federal exchange, some may return to the company.
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Obamacare, Private Medicare Plans Must Keep Updated Doctor Directories In 2016
New federal rules requiring current information apply to insurers selling plans on healthcare.gov and the private policies that are an alternative to Medicare.
By Susan Jaffe -
Draft Rules Would Help Protect Seniors When Medicare Advantage Plans Drop Doctors
The proposals by federal officials come in response to UnitedHealthcare's efforts to cancel contracts with thousands of doctors in 10 states just weeks before seniors had to enroll in plans.
By Susan Jaffe -
Letters To The Editor: The Health Insurance Affordability Gap; What’s Ahead For The Health Law; Doctor Burnout; Medicare Advantage Payment Rates
Letters to the Editor is a periodic KHN feature.
By alley -
Impact Of Medicare Advantage Cuts On Seniors Sharply Disputed
Experts say that costs may rise for some enrollees, but rates have been largely stable for most.
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Obama Administration Proposes 1.9% Cut In Medicare Advantage Payments
Insurers claim the cuts are deeper and are campaigning to stop them, saying they will hurt seniors.
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Only 251 Hospitals Score Five Stars In Medicare’s New Ratings
The ratings, posted on Medicare’s website Thursday, rank hospitals based on patient reviews.
By Jordan Rau -
While Washington Fiddles, Calif. Leaders Forge Ideas For Universal Health Care
But it could take years to achieve coverage for everyone — if it happens at all.