Latest KFF Health News Stories
Insurance Agents Enroll More Than 4,000 Haitian-Americans in South Florida
A group of Haitian-American insurance agents have seized the opportunity to bring health coverage to their own South Florida communities, where they estimate seven out of 10 people are uninsured.
Obamacare’s National Enrollment Looks OK, But States Matter More
With this year’s deadline to register for individual health insurance just a weekend away, much attention is being lavished on two numbers — the 6 million Americans who have signed up so far, and the percentage of those folks who are (or aren’t) young. But experts say the national numbers actually don’t mean very much. “These […]
Internet Startup Offers Californians Quick Assessments Of Some Insurance Plans
Stride Health, which began operations last month, seeks to provide on-demand, personalized results that people have come to expect on the Web from the likes of Google and Amazon.
A Reader Asks: How Do I Get A Subsidy If I’m Hiding From My Abusive Spouse?
KHN’s consumer columnist answers a question about the complicated rules for people suffering from domestic abuse who don’t want to file a tax return with their spouse.
Obama Announces 6 Million Have Signed Up For Insurance
More than 6 million people have signed up for health insurance through the health law’s state and federal online marketplaces, or exchanges, since Oct. 1, the administration announced Thursday. President Barack Obama, who is traveling in Europe, announced the number in a conference call with groups that are helping consumers sign up for coverage. In a blog […]
Permanent ‘Doc Fix’ May Be On Hold As House Passes Short-Term Patch
In a voice vote Thursday, the House passed yet another short-term patch to the Medicare physician payment formula. Mary Agnes Carey and CQ Roll Call’s Emily Ethridge discuss what that means for the effort to make long-term changes to how providers are paid.
Colorado Health Exchange’s Marketing Budget Draws Enrollees, Critics
Colorado officials on both sides of the aisle are arguing over the effectiveness of the $8 million marketing spend the state’s insurance marketplace.
What’s Working, What Isn’t As Healthcare.gov Deadline Is Extended
KHN’s Mary Agnes Carey was on PBS NewsHour Wednesday to talk about the Obama administration’s plan to allow extra time for Americans to sign up for health insurance coverage under the health law.
Consumers Get $10B In Subsidies For Health Coverage, Study Finds
Americans have already qualified for about $10 billion in tax credits to help them purchase private health insurance this year through the Affordable Care Act, according to a study from the Kaiser Family Foundation. (KHN is an editorially independent program of the foundation.) That’s an average of $2,890 for each of the 3.5 million people […]
3 Million And Counting: Final Push Underway To Enroll Californians In Health Plans
But some residents remain unconvinced they need coverage, and others say they can’t afford it even with financial help.
Going Without Health Insurance Will Likely Cost You At Tax Time
Tax experts say the penalty for not having coverage will exceed $95 for most people and encourage consumers to apply for tax credits to offset insurance premiums.
Half Of Uninsured Not Planning On Getting Coverage, Poll Finds
With less than a week left for customers to apply for insurance through the health care marketplaces, a poll released Wednesday finds that half of the people still without health coverage intend to remain uninsured. Five million people have signed up for insurance since the marketplaces created by the federal health law opened in October. The […]
Health Outreach Project Educates Students On California Campuses
Largely low-income and minority California State University students want health insurance but many are afraid they can’t afford it. Outreach workers are scrambling to sign them up.
Young But Not So Invincible in California
Largely low-income and minority California State University students want health insurance but many are afraid they can’t afford it. Outreach workers are scrambling to sign them up.
Insurance Agents Key To California Success Enrolling Asian-Americans
While Latino enrollment has lagged in California’s insurance marketplace, Asians have signed up in numbers outstripping their representation in the pool of eligible people. According to new Covered California data, the overwhelming majority of Chinese, Korean and Vietnamese enrollees are buying plans through certified insurance agents, as opposed to community groups or the Covered California website. […]
KHN’s consumer columnist answers questions about how the health law and online exchanges work.
AHIP President Calls For New Level Of Insurance Under Health Law
http://static.c-span.org/assets/swf/CSPANPlayer.1395167746.swf?pid=318396-1 A new tier of coverage should be added to the health law’s online marketplaces, or exchanges, that would be less comprehensive than what plans are now required to offer, the head of the health insurance industry’s trade group said Sunday. “I would create a lower tier, so that people could gradually get into the program, […]
Connecticut Customers Rush To Retail Store To Buy Insurance
Obamacare business is picking up at a storefront in New Haven, where some customers are getting insurance for the first time and others are hoping to lower their premiums.
Draft Rules Would Help Protect Seniors When Medicare Advantage Plans Drop Doctors
The proposals by federal officials come in response to UnitedHealthcare’s efforts to cancel contracts with thousands of doctors in 10 states just weeks before seniors had to enroll in plans.
A Reader Asks: After I Was In The Hospital, Can I Buy Insurance To Cover My Bills?
KHN’s consumer columnist says insurance generally doesn’t apply to charges for hospital or doctors services from before you signed up, with one exception.