Another GOP Primary Debate … Another Night of Verbal Clashes
By KFF Health News and PolitiFact staffs
November 9, 2023
KFF Health News Original
In a faceoff that took some strange turns, five presidential hopefuls focused on foreign affairs and inflation but still revealed the party’s political struggles over its abortion position. Once again, former President Donald Trump did not appear on the debate stage.
Democrats’ Plans to Expand Medicare Benefits May Pinch Advantage Plans’ Funding
By Michelle Andrews
October 28, 2021
KFF Health News Original
As lawmakers weigh new spending provisions to cover dental, hearing and vision services for Medicare beneficiaries, a group supporting Medicare Advantage plans is airing commercials that raise concerns about the funding for those private plans.
KFF Health News' 'What the Health?': Au Revoir, Public Health Emergency
February 2, 2023
Podcast
The Biden administration this week announced it would let the covid-19 public health emergency lapse on May 11, even as the Republican-led House was voting to immediately eliminate the special authorities of the so-called PHE. Meanwhile, anti-abortion forces are pressuring legislators to both tighten abortion restrictions and pay for every birth in the nation. Margot Sanger-Katz of The New York Times, Rachel Roubein of The Washington Post, and Victoria Knight of Axios join KHN’s chief Washington correspondent Julie Rovner to discuss these issues and more. Also this week, Rovner interviews Hannah Wesolowski of the National Alliance on Mental Illness about the rollout of the national 988 suicide prevention hotline.
Doctors and Patients Try to Shame Insurers Online to Reverse Prior Authorization Denials
By Lauren Sausser
August 23, 2023
KFF Health News Original
Prior authorization is a common tool used by health insurers for many tests, procedures, and prescriptions. Frustrated by the process, patients and doctors have turned to social media to publicly shame insurance companies and elevate their denials for further review.
Justice Department Targets Data Mining in Medicare Advantage Fraud Case
By Fred Schulte
September 14, 2021
KFF Health News Original
The feds’ civil suit links exaggerated patient bills to “tens of millions” in overcharges.
Insurers Brace For Expected Medicare Advantage Losses Next Year
May 15, 2024
Morning Briefing
CVS Health and Humana are making moves ahead of anticipated drops in Medicare Advantage memberships in 2025. Meanwhile, low Medicare Advantage pay further stresses rural hospitals.
For Young People on Medicare, a Hysterectomy Sometimes Is More Affordable Than Birth Control
By Gina Jiménez
March 7, 2023
KFF Health News Original
While Medicare was designed as health insurance for those 65 and older, it also covers people with disabilities who are young enough to still get pregnant. Yet they often struggle to get their birth control covered and end up with large medical bills — or instead opt for hysterectomies or tubal ligations, which Medicare sometimes will cover.
Cuando tu cobertura de salud dentro de la red… simplemente se esfuma
By Elisabeth Rosenthal
March 18, 2024
KFF Health News Original
los contratos de las aseguradoras con médicos, hospitales y farmacéuticas (o sus intermediarios, los llamados administradores de beneficios farmacéuticos) pueden cambiar abruptamente de la noche a la mañana.
Medicare’s Open Enrollment Is Open Season for Scammers
By Susan Jaffe
November 11, 2021
KFF Health News Original
Medicare officials say complaints are rising from seniors lured into private plans with misleading information or enrolled without their consent. In response, officials have threatened to penalize the private companies selling Medicare Advantage and drug plans if they or agents working on their behalf mislead consumers.
Era of ‘Free’ Covid Vaccines, Test Kits, and Treatments Is Ending. Who Will Pay the Tab Now?
By Julie Appleby
February 10, 2023
KFF Health News Original
Insurers, employers, and taxpayers will all be affected as drug manufacturers move these products to the commercial market.
From ‘Physician Assistant’ to Medicare, Readers and Tweeters Mince No Words
December 8, 2021
KFF Health News Original
KHN gives readers a chance to comment on a recent batch of stories.
Listen to the Latest ‘KFF Health News Minute’
December 10, 2024
KFF Health News Original
“Health Minute” brings original health care and health policy reporting from the KFF Health News newsroom to the airwaves each week.
Listen to the Latest ‘KFF Health News Minute’
January 2, 2024
KFF Health News Original
“Health Minute” brings original health care and health policy reporting from the KFF Health News newsroom to the airwaves each week.
Democrats Plan to Expand Medicare Hearing Benefits. What Can Consumers Expect?
By Rachana Pradhan
November 5, 2021
KFF Health News Original
KHN answers questions for seniors about how this new benefit might work.
Medicare Pay Cuts Will Hurt Seniors’ Care, Doctors Argue
By Michael McAuliff
December 20, 2022
KFF Health News Original
New reductions in Medicare payments in 2023 will drive more doctors away from accepting Medicare patients, physicians say. They are again pushing back on efforts largely designed to control government spending.
La catarata de información sobre la inscripción a Medicare no explica bien las opciones de Medigap
By Harris Meyer
November 9, 2021
KFF Health News Original
En parte porque las políticas sobre el acceso y los costos de Medigap cambian dependiendo del estado, o por la información confusa, muchos beneficiarios no eligen lo que más les conviene.
KFF Health News' 'What the Health?': GOP House Opens With Abortion Agenda
January 12, 2023
Podcast
Leaders of the new Republican-led U.S. House kicked off their legislative agenda with two bills supported by anti-abortion groups. While neither is likely to become law, the move demonstrates how abortion will continue to be an issue in Washington. Meanwhile, as open enrollment for the Affordable Care Act nears its end in most states, the number of Americans covered by the plans hits a new high. Margot Sanger-Katz of The New York Times, Alice Miranda Ollstein of Politico, and Sarah Karlin-Smith of the Pink Sheet join KHN’s Julie Rovner to discuss these topics and more. Plus, for extra credit, the panelists recommend their favorite health policy stories of the week they think you should read, too.
Humana Health Plan Overcharged Medicare by Nearly $200 Million, Federal Audit Finds
By Fred Schulte
April 20, 2021
KFF Health News Original
Medicare Advantage company may face record penalty over alleged billing errors.
After Congress Fails to Add Dental Coverage, Medicare Weighs Limited Benefit Expansion
By Susan Jaffe
October 17, 2022
KFF Health News Original
Medicare can pay for some dental care if it is medically necessary to safely treat another covered medical condition, and federal officials have asked for suggestions on whether that list of conditions should be expanded.
Insurers Bilked $50B From Medicare For Dubious Diagnoses, Review Finds
July 8, 2024
Morning Briefing
In its analysis of the Medicare Advantage program, The Wall Street Journal looked at details of “doctor visits, hospital stays, prescriptions and other care.” Separately, a Stat review has found that more than two dozen Medicare Advantage insurers now qualify for big taxpayer-funded bonuses.
