Latest KFF Health News Stories
KHN’s consumer columnist answers questions about how the health law and online exchanges work.
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.
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.
10 States Are Critical To Administration’s Efforts To Enroll 6 Million In New Health Plans
Reaching that number might give Democrats bragging rights and make it more likely that state pools are big enough to keep down premiums.
Some Young People Won’t Get Tax Help for Obamacare Insurance
A new study shows that younger people in eight cities who make more than about $32,000 a year won’t get tax credits to help pay for insurance premiums.
Colorado Health Exchange Workers Paid More Than Similar Positions In Three Other States
Nearly half of the employees of Colorado’s health care exchange make more than $80,000 per year — outpacing peers in several states.
Warning: Opting Out Of Your Insurance Plan’s Provider Network Is Risky
Out-of-pocket spending limits and some other safeguards in the health law may not apply.
A Reader Asks: Would An IRA Withdrawal Count As Income For Exchange Subsidies?
KHN’s consumer columnist responds to a reader who is living off savings and wants to find a way to qualify for subsidies on the health insurance marketplace.
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.
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.
What Will Obamacare Really Cost? They Might Be First To Know
A number of insurance companies have agreed to give an actuarial firm early information about enrollment and member health in the plans sold on the online marketplaces.
A Reader Asks: Can I Buy An Exchange Plan When My Policy Expires In May?
KHN’s consumer columnist explains that people can pick an exchange plan if their individual health insurance policies expire after open enrollment ends. Still, it’s smart to start shopping now.
IG Report Findings Could Strengthen Nursing Home Inspections
Nursing home oversight may be moving toward more effective ways to detect poor care.
Marketing Mistakes Hurt Latino Enrollment In California
Research shows that certain sales strategies resonate with American Latinos, but California’s insurance exchange didn’t try any of them initially.
Changes To Health Law Rules Include Extra Month To Enroll In 2015
Some consumers will also get more time to keep plans that don’t meet all the law’s requirements.
Groups Make Final Push To Sign People Up For Obamacare
With less than four weeks to go before the deadline, ads and direct appeals take aim at young people, Latinos and others without insurance coverage.
L.A. County Health Officials Grilled Over Nursing Home Inspections
The Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors unanimously ordered an audit Tuesday of how the public health department oversees nursing homes.
Health Workers’ Union Pushes Hospital Cost Control In California
The SEIU is gathering signatures to put two hospital questions to voters in November. The union wants hospital charges capped at 25 percent above costs and CEO salaries at nonprofit hospitals capped at $450,000 per year.
Health Law Provides No Guarantees Of Access To Midwives, Birthing Centers
The overhaul mandated maternity coverage, but some private insurance plans don’t include services.
L.A. County Officials Told Inspectors To Cut Short Nursing Home Probes
They say they were trying to help clear a California backlog of 9,000 cases. Elder care advocate calls the move “unconscionable.”
