Latest KFF Health News Stories
Even With Insurance, Language Barriers Could Undermine Asian Americans’ Access To Care
If people who face English language challenges don’t understand their coverage, maneuvering the health care system could prove unwieldy.
Despite Supreme Court Ruling, Some Texas Abortion Clinics Remain Closed
Texas abortion providers were surprised by the legal reprieve from the high court this week that allows them to reopen at least until December. But the legal battle has permanently changed the landscape for abortion clinics in the state.
Poll: Many Unaware How Ebola Is Spread
A new survey finds the public has a lot to learn about how the Ebola virus is transmitted, which could help explain the growing fears of the disease.
Administration Signals Doubts About Calculator Permitting Plans Without Hospital Benefits
he Obama administration may reverse course on an online spreadsheet that lets large employers comply with the health law by offering what consumer advocates call substandard insurance.
Calif. ‘Report Cards’ Are Out In Time For Open Enrollment
The state timed the release of this year’s report cards to coincide with the second round of open enrollment in Covered California, the state’s online health exchange, which kicks off Nov. 15. Several plans included in the report cards are offered on the exchange.
Spike in ER, Hospitalization Use Short-Lived After Medicaid Expansion
Rates of hospitalization for the “highest pent-up demand” group also started high and dropped by almost 80 percent over the two-year period.
Ohio Medicaid Expansion Faces 2015 Political Hurdle
Gov. Kasich’s workaround means more than 350,000 gained Medicaid coverage in the Buckeye State in 2014. But the legislature needs to approve the program next year for it to continue, hospital chief warns.
Modest Premium Hikes, Higher Consumer Costs Likely For Job-Based Plans
As many companies provide employees with their coverage details this fall, spousal surcharges and health savings accounts on the rise.
California Prop. 46, Inspired By Tragedy, Pits Doctors Against Lawyers
Opponents wage costly campaign, eroding public support.
Many On Medicaid See Boost In Benefits As Economy Improves
With an improving fiscal climate, many states are increasing benefits for Medicaid recipients and paying their providers more.
Got Insurance? You Still May Pay A Steep Price For Prescriptions
These high-priced medications are often shifted to the top tiers of drug plans, so consumers dealing with cancer, multiple sclerosis, HIV and other complicated diseases can end up paying thousands of dollars for their prescriptions.
Long-Acting Contraceptives Still Often Not Free For Women
The health law called for all FDA-approved birth control methods to be completely covered by insurance, but research suggests that many women still pay for some of the costs for options such as IUDs and injectable contraceptives.
Study Finds Savings Low For Employers Capping Their Payments For Treatments
This KHN story can be republished for free. (details) In an effort to slow health care spending, more employers are looking at capping what they pay for certain procedures — like joint replacements — and requiring insured workers who choose hospitals or medical facilities that exceed the cap to pay the difference themselves. But a […]
Burwell Meets The Press: Managing Expectations On Ebola, Healthcare.gov, ACA Year 2
http://admin.brightcove.com/js/BrightcoveExperiences.js brightcove.createExperiences(); We’re working on it. No matter what the topic – from improving consumers’ experience with healthcare.gov, the health law’s Medicaid expansion, narrow networks and even Ebola — Department of Health and Human Services Secretary Sylvia Mathews Burwell told reporters Thursday her agency is on it. During a breakfast with reporters sponsored by Kaiser […]
Hidden Costs For ‘Fully Covered’ Care Can Slam Patients’ Wallets
In North Carolina and elsewhere, hidden costs have popped up on “fully covered” services ranging from contraception to cancer screening to annual checkups, and it’s leaving a growing number of people to cover thousands of dollars out of pocket.
Price Tags On Health Care? Only In Massachusetts
Under a new state law, Massachusetts insurers have to post how much tests and procedures cost at different providers in a consumer-friendly way.
Federal Officials Unveil Streamlined Marketplace Website
Consumers using the federal healthcare.gov website when open enrollment begins next month should expect a faster website with a shorter application form and features making it easier to use on mobile devices, Obama administration officials said Wednesday. In a briefing with reporters, they showed off a live version of the updated site and said it […]
How One U.S. Hospital Braces For Ebola
This story is part of a partnership that includes WNPR, NPR and Kaiser Health News. It can be republished for free. (details) Dr. Jack Ross is used to seeing potentially lethal viruses, and he is used to putting patients into isolation. Still, Ebola is different. “I think, for any hospital today, Ebola represents one step higher than anything […]
For Formerly Obese, Stigma Remains Even After Weight Is Lost
People who have lost significant weight are uneasy about how much to reveal in online dating profiles, and research shows they have good reason to be.
Many Medicare Outpatients Pay More At Rural Hospitals, Federal Report Says
An investigation by the HHS inspector general says beneficiaries getting the treatments at “critical access” hospitals pay between two and six times more than those at other hospitals.