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Latest KFF Health News Stories

Language, Knowledge Are Barriers For Immigrants Seeking Insurance In California

KFF Health News Original

The Obama administration is counting on outreach efforts to enroll Latinos and other immigrants. They tend to be younger than the general population, and so they balance out the costs of older, sicker people in the insurance pool.

Live Blog: Exchanges Launch, Government Shuts Down

KFF Health News Original

It’s Oct. 1, which means that the online insurance marketplaces created by the Affordable Care Act are launching. But it also means that the start of the new federal fiscal year was marked by a government shutdown. KHN helps you make sense of the day’s developments on this live blog and with our coverage of […]

Marketplace Shoppers Must Pay 1st Premium By Dec. 15

KFF Health News Original

Correction: An earlier version of this item misstated the forms of payment insurers are required to accept for plans sold on insurance marketplaces. The only required forms of payment are personal checks, electronic fund transfers, prepaid debit cards, cashier’s checks and money orders. Insurers may also opt to accept other forms of payment, such as credit […]

Answering Your Last Minute Questions On Online Health Insurance Exchanges

KFF Health News Original

KHN’s Phil Galewitz was on C-SPAN’s Washington Journal Monday morning taking questions about tomorrow’s launch of the health law’s online health insurance exchanges. See related stories: In Kentucky, Confusion And Misinformation Abound KHN reporters will be returning to C-SPAN’s Washington Journal each Monday throughout the summer. Tune in each week to stay informed about the […]

Q&A With Kentucky Gov. Steve Beshear

KFF Health News Original

Kentucky Gov. Steve Beshear, a Democrat, was an early supporter of building a state exchange where residents without group coverage could buy health insurance. He spoke with KHN correspondent Phil Galewitz last week.

Poll Finds Most Unaware of Tuesday Opening of Health Insurance Marketplaces

KFF Health News Original

A new poll finds a majority of the public — especially those lacking health coverage — is unaware that new insurance marketplaces created by the health law are slated to open this week. The poll also found deep skepticism of media coverage of the law, with more than half the public saying they don’t trust […]

Purchasing Health Insurance After Oct. 1

KFF Health News Original

As part of the Washington Post’s continuing series of online discussions about the health law’s new insurance marketplaces, Insuring Your Health columnist Michelle Andrews answered readers questions today. A transcript of today’s discussion follows. READER QUESTION:  Can you explain the difference between purchasing insurance via a state exchange versus the open market? Will there be major differences […]

Medicare To Delay Enforcement Of New Observation Rule

KFF Health News Original

Medicare officials announced Thursday that they will delay enforcement of controversial new rules that define when hospital patients should receive observation care, rather than being admitted, a distinction that makes beneficiaries ineligible for follow-up nursing home coverage. The new rules take effect Tuesday, but officials said they will not be enforced until at least Jan. […]

A Very Quick Guide To Health Insurance Exchanges

KFF Health News Original

For those who are uninsured, the key to satisfying Obamacare’s requirement to have health insurance could be the new online marketplaces, which are set to open Oct. 1. Here is a quick guide to what you need to know about them.