Latest KFF Health News Stories
5 Things To Know About The Supreme Court Case Challenging The Health Law
Millions of Americans might not be able to afford insurance if the Supreme Court rules the government erred in making subsidies available in all states.
Sign-Up Season Is Over, But List Of Special Enrollment Events Is Expanding
A new regulation takes effect in April that expands the circumstances that enable people to sign up or switch health coverage, even though open enrollment officially ended Feb. 15.
HHS Secretary Burwell Is Grilled About Health Law Contingency Plans
Health and Human Services Secretary Sylvia Burwell says her agency would be unable to counter the damage of a Supreme Court decision striking subsidies in about three dozen states.
For Many Middle-Class Taxpayers On Obamacare, It’s Payback Time
Hundreds of thousands of people who received subsidies under the Affordable Care Act may have underestimated their incomes in 2014 – drawing more assistance than they were entitled to. Now many owe the government money.
Supreme Court Insurance Subsidies Decision Could Trigger Price Spikes
A Supreme Court decision invalidating subsidies in 37 federal exchange states would lead to sharp premium increases and prompt many to drop coverage, say experts.
Attention, Shoppers: Prices For 70 Health Care Procedures Now Online!
Guroo.org shows the average local cost of 70 common diagnoses and medical tests in most states. That’s the real cost — not “charges” that often get marked down — based on a giant database of what insurance companies actually pay.
May I Move My Son From My Insurance Plan To A Better Option On The Marketplace?
KHN consumer columnist Michelle Andrews answers readers’ questions about enrolling at this point in marketplace plans, CHIP enrollment and Medicare disability.
Kaiser Permanente Faulted Again For Mental Health Care Lapses In California
Following up on a critical report in 2013, the California Department of Managed Health Care found Kaiser Permanente had not resolved concerns about providing timely and appropriate access to treatment.
Critics: Medicaid Services Ill. Gov. Rauner Would Cut Save Illinois Money
Some legislators and patient advocates say the targeted services, including dental and mental health services, not only help keep people healthy — they save the state money.
Lesser-Known Florida Insurance Exchange Spends $2.4M, Signs Up 50 People
State legislators created Florida Health Choices in 2008 as a voluntary marketplace for Floridians to purchase coverage, but no subsidized policies are offered.
Fancy Flourishes At Hospitals Don’t Impress Patients, Study Finds
A study at Baltimore’s Johns Hopkins finds that patients in older buildings rate their care about the same as those in a sleek new hospital tower.
Few Seniors Benefiting From Medicare Obesity Counseling
A little known part of Obamacare pays primary care doctors to help overweight seniors drop pounds and improve their health. So why aren’t more seniors taking advantage of the free benefit?
Obama Administration Disallows Plans Without Hospital Coverage
Large-employer plans without inpatient benefits were seen as a health law loophole that trapped workers in inadequate insurance. Now, the Obama administration has blocked them.
Supreme Court Case May Be A Wake-Up Call For Republicans
Republicans fear backlash if they don’t have a plan to help those who might lose subsidies if the Supreme Court strikes down a key tenet of the health law.
Tax Time Reprieve For Obamacare Procrastinators
The Obama administration announced a special enrollment period from March 15 to April 30 for healthcare.gov consumers who discover they owe a penalty after filling out their tax returns.
Many Uninsured Don’t Realize They May Face A Tax Penalty
A recent survey found that 44 percent of people who could be hit with penalties for not getting covered don’t know the consequences they face.
UCLA Bacteria Outbreak Highlights The Challenges Of Curbing Infections
The lethal infection is one of three that the CDC says urgently require close monitoring and prevention to halt their spread.
In The Medicare Bonus Round, The Winners Are…Small, Specialty Hospitals!
Some hospital revenue is now going to be tied to how happy you – the patient – are when you stay there. But not all hospitals are going to be capable of winning the Medicare sweepstakes.
Even Insured Consumers Get Hit With Unexpectedly Large Medical Bills
Enrollees may face big charges as a result of lack of transparency and confusion about insurer’s provider networks.
States Add Dental Coverage For Adults On Medicaid But Struggle to Meet Demand
Dentists say they’re reluctant to see Medicaid patients because they’re typically paid about half as much as they get from private patients.