Latest KFF Health News Stories
ALS Patients Win Fight Over Medicare Reimbursement For Speech Devices
Medicare announced Thursday it would continue covering devices that patients themselves can upgrade.
Rate Of Premature Births Fall As Health Law Provisions Begin To Take Effect
March of Dimes official says one key factor was early implementation of the Medicaid expansion in some states.
Thinking About Enrolling In Obamacare? Keep These 5 Tips In Mind
The online health insurance marketplaces open on Nov. 15 for three months. Here’s a checklist of several things to consider.
How Much Is That MRI, Really? Massachusetts Shines A Light
A state law now requires insurers to reveal prices of their medical tests, and the variation is amazing, bargain hunters say. An MRI of the back is $614 at one place; $1,800 at another.
Soda Tax Succeeds In Berkeley, Fizzles In San Francisco
The nation’s first tax on sugary drinks aims to combat obesity and diabetes, with a penny-per-ounce levy.
Voters Provide Mixed Messages On Health Ballot Measures
Abortion, insurance regulation and drug options for the terminally ill were among proposals.
Republican Gubernatorial Victories Make Medicaid Expansion Unlikely In 5 States
Advocates hope Republican governors in other states will move to expand coverage under the Affordable Care Act.
An interview with Consumer Reports’ Nancy Metcalf, author of a new guide to end-of-life planning.
Obama Administration Closing Health Law Loophole For Plans Without Hospitalization
Moving to close what many see as a major loophole in Affordable Care Act rules, the Obama administration will ban large-employer medical plans from qualifying under the law if they don’t offer hospitalization coverage.
Obamacare Still Has “Back-End Issues”
While consumers may experience easier navigation, insurers are likely to have continuing difficulties, which could result in double-billing and other problems.
Hospitals Take Cues From The Hospitality Industry
Satisfied patients have better health outcomes and, not incidentally, boost hospitals’ bottom lines under new Medicare reimbursement rules.
More Scrutiny Coming For Medicare Advantage, Obamacare
Federal officials are planning a wide range of audits into billing and government spending on managed health care in the new fiscal year, ranging from private Medicare Advantage groups that treat millions of elderly to health plans rapidly expanding under the Affordable Care Act.
Home Health Workers Struggle For Better Pay And Health Insurance
Home health care aides often toil for low pay and in jobs without benefits, including health insurance. A million more home health care workers will be needed to meet demand over the next decade.
Oportunidades y Obstáculos Para Familias Con Estatus Migratorio Mixto
Los Bravos son una familia indocumentada que enfrenta muchas dificultades para obtener cobertura médica debido a su estatus migratorio.
Undocumented Immigrant Not Allowed To Buy Health Insurance Through Marketplace
Even though Jessica Bravo, an undocumented immigrant from Mexico, isn’t allowed to buy coverage under the Affordable Care Act, she works as a health outreach worker to educate people about the new health law. Until a few months ago, the 19-year-old Costa Mesa resident didn’t know coverage was a possibility for her as well.
California Audit Finds Backlog Of 11,000 Nursing Home Investigations
California’s public health department has failed to adequately manage investigations of nursing homes statewide, resulting in a backlog of more than 11,000 complaints, according to an audit released Thursday.
Obamacare May Mean High Drug Costs For Floridians With HIV
ACA insurance plans may not be cheaper — or even affordable — for those with HIV and AIDS because of high medication costs, according to patient advocates.
For Families With Mixed Immigration Status, Health Insurance Is A Puzzle
A young outreach worker for Obamacare is delighted to be eligible for coverage but worries about family members with no such luck.
Lack Of Understanding About Insurance Could Lead To Poor Choices
A recent poll points out that while three-quarters of Americans say they are confident about understanding their health coverage options, only 20 percent could calculate what they owed for a routine doctor’s appointment.
Benefits ‘Essential’ In N.J. But Not In Pa.
The administration gave states leeway to define the benefits that must be covered by health plans sold through government exchanges, and Pennsylvania’s are a lot ‘stingier’ than those in some other states.