Latest KFF Health News Stories
Insurers May Get Cost Break Thanks To Rocky ACA Rollout
The Obama administration keeps changing the rules on implementing the Affordable Care Act. Insurance companies keep complaining. But they’re unlikely to grouse about the latest adjustment. On Tuesday the Department of Health and Human Services signaled its intention to temporarily give insurers a break on the portion of premiums they must spend on medical care […]
Lawmakers Weigh Changes To Medicare
The House this week held a hearing on payment shifts in Medicare Advantage plans and has scheduled a vote Friday on a proposal to revamp the system for paying doctors. KHN’s Mary Agnes Carey and Politico Pro’s Jennifer Haberkorn discuss the issues.
Advocates Press For Insurance Subsidies For Domestic Abuse Victims
Even estranged spouses must generally file joint returns to get subsidies for health coverage, putting them at potential risk.
Rep. Ryan Quizzes Sebelius On Increased Savings Estimate From IPAB
The panel hasn’t had a meeting and no one’s even been nominated for it yet, but the Obama administration’s fiscal 2015 budget request says the health law’s Independent Payment Advisory Board, also known as IPAB, could save the government triple what officials estimated last year. On Wednesday, Rep. Paul Ryan, R-Wis., asked Department of Health and […]
Injured Who Lived Near Closed Trauma Centers More Likely To Die
Injured patients who had to travel an average 13 minutes longer to reach a hospital trauma center because a facility nearer to home had closed were more likely to die of their injuries in the hospital, according to a new California study. The report found their risk of dying was 21 percent higher than that […]
Employers See Negligible Increase In Workers Participating In Job-Based Coverage
Employers saw only a tiny increase in enrollment in their health insurance plans this year, even as key provisions of the health law — including a requirement that nearly all Americans carry coverage or face a fine — went into effect, a survey by benefit firm Mercer finds. Additionally, the percentage of workers eligible for job-based coverage rose only minimally, […]
What Went Wrong With Minnesota’s Insurance Exchange
Here is an in-depth look at what went wrong at MNsure, the Minnesota exchange that has been plagued by miscommunication, technology failures and management mistakes.
Skipping Health Insurance Could Cost A Lot More Than $95
This story comes from our partner ‘s Shots blog. 2014 is the first year most Americans will have to either have health insurance or face a tax penalty. But most people who are aware of the penalty think it’s pretty small, at least for this first year. And that could turn into an expensive mistake. “I’d […]
UCLA Memory Program Offers ‘Gym For Your Brain’
Games, stories, tai chi and dancing help patients — and caregivers — cope with memory loss
Should Healthier Patients Be Asked To Wait To Use Costly Hepatitis C Drugs?
New treatments for hepatitis C that cost at least $66,000 to $84,000 may work better than older drugs, but their cost undermines their value to the health system, a panel of experts said during a daylong forum in San Francisco. “The price makes it very hard for the health care system,” said Steve Pearson, who […]
Nearly 1 Million More Sign Up For Obamacare Plans In February
But the number of enrollees, especially those between 18 and 34, continues to lag expectations.
Missouri Pulls Out Stops, But Lags Better-Funded Illinois Effort
Free food and music are notorious for attracting young people; at least that’s the hope of Missouri insurance enrollment counselors. Before the March 31 deadline under the Affordable Care Act, groups are beefing up their campaigns to bring last-minute customers to the federal health insurance marketplace—especially young people. Cover Missouri — a coalition of 400 […]
Window Is Closing To Sign Up Or Seek Changes To Obamacare Plans
Some consumers who were stymied by website foul-ups may be able to receive retroactive subsidies or choose different plans.
Medicare Officials Back Away From Changes To Prescription Drug Plan
Facing heavy bipartisan opposition on Capitol Hill as well as from patient groups, businesses, insurers and others, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services said Monday it did not plan to move ahead “at this time” with several proposed changes to the Medicare prescription drug program. The draft regulation, which had been released in January, would have wide-ranging […]
Business Groups Split On Medicaid Expansion
With several states weighing whether to expand Medicaid under the federal health law, supporters are looking to powerful business groups to help sway skeptical state legislators. But those groups are split on the issue — just like the public at large. Nationally, the National Federation of Independent Business, which represents mostly small employers, remains opposed to the […]
Union Pushes To Get Philadelphia Cab Drivers Insured
Drivers are targeted because few have health coverage.
What’s Next For Pennsylvania’s Medicaid Expansion?
Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Corbett has backed away from a controversial work search requirement in his Medicaid overhaul proposal that’s now under federal review. Even so, experts say it’s unclear whether that move will be enough for the plan to gain final approval. At stake are billions of dollars in federal funding for Pennsylvania and new […]
Obamacare On Campus: Reaching The Young And Uninsured
Young adults may be key to the success of Obamacare. Insurance companies need a mix of ages, and a mix of healthy and sick people to balance out the costs for everyone — and young people tend to be healthier. But persuading them to sign up for health insurance is no easy task. Many don’t know about […]
Next Step for Smart Phones: Keeping Tabs on Patients
Proponents say new gadgetry could transform medical diagnosis and treatment, but critics worry about commercial uses and possible breaches of privacy.
How Proposed Part D Changes Are Playing On Capitol Hill
Officials at the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services are proposing to remove some drugs from Medicare’s prescription drug plans and limit how many plans insurers can offer. KHN’s Mary Agnes Carey and CQ Roll Call’s Emily Ethridge discuss.