Latest Morning Briefing Stories

When Needs Arise, These Older Women Have One Another’s Backs

KFF Health News Original

Many women aging alone want to hold on to their independence. But, when illness or disability strikes, they often need assistance. A program in New York, Philadelphia and San Francisco offers numerous ways to help.

In Grandma’s Stocking: An Apple Watch To Monitor Falls, Track Heart Rhythms

KFF Health News Original

The new-generation gadget is designed to alert and protect wearers from falls and heart problems, expanding Apple’s target audience beyond the usual, tech-savvy, early adopters to those with older tickers.

Check Your Medical Records For Dangerous Errors

KFF Health News Original

Medical records often contain incorrect information that can lead to inappropriate medical treatment. Patients need to review them on a regular basis and correct any errors that creep in.

Paradise Lost: Wildfire Chases Seniors From Retirement Havens To Field Hospitals

KFF Health News Original

Having fled quickly — often without medications, wheelchairs or pets to comfort them — refugees from the Camp Fire manage as best they can in makeshift shelters miles from home. A virus is spreading, and medical attention is spotty.

Trumpeted New Medicare Advantage Benefits Will Be Hard For Seniors To Find

KFF Health News Original

Federal officials are hailing the introduction of services such as transportation to medical appointments, home-delivered meals and installation of wheelchair ramps as a way to keep beneficiaries healthy and avoid costly hospitalizations. But not many plans are offering the services in 2019.

Doctors Give Medicare’s Proposal To Pay For Telemedicine Poor Prognosis

KFF Health News Original

Federal officials are proposing that Medicare pay doctors for a 10-minute “check-in” call with beneficiaries. But many doctors already do this for free, and the plan would require a cost-sharing charge of many patients.