Latest KFF Health News Stories
Senators Offer Bill To Ease Readmission Penalties On Some Hospitals
A bipartisan group of senators introduced legislation on Thursday to make Medicare take the financial status of hospital patients into account when deciding whether to punish a hospital for too many readmissions. The bill attempts to address one of the main complaints about the readmissions program: that hospitals serving large numbers of low-income patients are […]
How Your State Rates In Terms Of Long-Term Care
This copyrighted story comes from ‘s Shots blog. All rights reserved. In just 12 years, the oldest members of the huge baby-boom generation will turn 80. Many will need some kind of long-term care. A new study from AARP says that care could vary dramatically in cost and quality depending on where they live. The […]
Consumer Group Urges Hospitals To Stop Promoting Questionable Screenings
Consumer advocacy group Public Citizen on Thursday called on 20 hospital systems to stop partnering with companies that offer low-cost screenings for heart disease and stroke risk, saying the promotions are “unethical” and the exams are more likely to do harm than good. In recent years, more hospitals have paired with firms offering such testing packages, partly to […]
Survey: Most Buying On Insurance Exchanges Were Uninsured
The most satisfied were those who received subsidies; the least satisfied had their previous plans canceled.
Future Uncertain For VA Rural Health Pilot Program
TOPEKA — Sen. Jerry Moran, R-Kan., said a U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs pilot program offering timely, quality health care to rural veterans is being allowed to expire in a few months, even as major legislation moves through both houses of Congress that would have similar goals as the pilot program. The pilot program is called […]
Q&A: Can Claims Data Crack the Health Care Cost Riddle?
More states are creating all-payer claims databases. Find out how they work.
HHS Releases New Details About 2014 Marketplace Premiums, Subsidies
Federal officials on Wednesday released new data about who enrolled in the federal health marketplace plans for 2014, how much the law’s subsidies helped offset the cost and how many plans people from could choose from, among other details. “What we’re finding is that the marketplace is working. Consumers have more choices and they’re paying […]
Enroll America Pushes Ahead To Second Enrollment Period
Enroll America convened a national conference this week in Washington to review the strategies that proved successful during the inaugural Affordable Care Act open enrollment period and to gear up for the next one, which will start Nov. 15. Organizers also want to ensure that the navigators and organizations working toward enrollment maintain their energy […]
Insurer Begins Huge Palliative Care Program
“Person-centered care” is the buzz phrase floating around the health care industry, and a Pacific Northwest-based giant insurer thinks it has hit the mark with a new palliative care program coming this summer. Cambia Health Solutions, which includes Regence Blue Cross Blue Shield,will offer training to providers and additional benefits for policyholders: more than 2.2 million […]
Boeing, Health Care Providers Join Forces In Bid To Curb Costs
The aerospace giant is teaming with accountable care organizations to save themselves money by taking the “middle men” — insurers — out of their health care equation.
Insurers Push Back Against Growing Cost Of Cancer Treatments
Many are encouraging the use of less-costly regimens and paying the same for drugs, whether they’re given in hospital outpatient settings or doctors’ offices.
Readers Ask: Are Insurance Premiums Capped? Do Doctors Have To Accept Medicare?
KHN’s consumer columnist answers inquiries from readers.
High Court Rules Anti-Abortion Group Can Sue Over Election ‘Truth-Telling’ Law
A group challenging an Ohio election law that makes it a crime to make “false statements” about a candidate’s record during a campaign has standing to challenge the constitutionality of that law, according to today’s unanimous Supreme Court decision. The opinion, written by Justice Clarence Thomas, did NOT strike down Ohio’s false statement law. But […]
Many Patients Struggling to Understand New Health Insurance
Co-insurance, co-pays, deductibles? It’s not easy to know what’s what.
Doctors Turning To Super Software For Advice
Does a patient need a transfusion or another medication? Artificial intelligence systems can help doctors decide.
Obamacare Credited For Big Drop In Minnesota’s Uninsured Rate
This story is part of a partnership that includes MPR, NPR and Kaiser Health News. It can be republished for free. (details) The website malfunctioned. The exchange chief was fired. And many people had to sign up the old fashioned way: pen, paper, with a person. So, Minnesota’s launch of the Affordable Care Act was […]
Say What? Many Patients Struggling To Learn The Foreign Language Of Health Insurance
Decoding premiums, co-insurance, co-pays and deductibles has some people reeling
Health Data Geeks Get Their Day
In the health information technology gold rush, entrepreneurs and venture capitalists are betting on new companies that help consumers, insurers and hospitals save money.
What’s At Stake For Birth Control In Upcoming SCOTUS Decision
Many health plans could be affected by the coming high court ruling on cases challenging the mandate to provide specific types of contraception.
A Reader Asks: As An Immigrant In The U.S. Illegally, Can I Buy Insurance?
KHN’s consumer columnist explains that the health law’s online marketplaces are not an option, but other private insurance may be.