Latest KFF Health News Stories
Medicare Seeks To Curb Spending On Post-Hospital Care
One out of every six dollars Medicare spent in the traditional fee-for-service program went to nursing and therapy for patients in rehabilitation facilities, nursing homes, long-term care hospitals and in their own homes.
In Wonky Version Of American Idol, Georgetown Researchers Vie For Grants Before Local Donors
To become a judge, individuals donate at least $1,000 and then hear presentations about a handful of proposals before voting on a winner.
‘Narrow Networks’ Trigger Push-Back From State Officials
Criticism of limited provider networks is emerging in at least a half a dozen states as consumers realize that their Affordable Care Act insurance may not include the physicians or hospitals they’ve been seeing.
Administration Tests Fixes That Would Allow Insurers, Brokers To Enroll More Consumers
Changes that would allow the companies to enroll subsidy-eligible individuals are being tried in Texas, Ohio and Florida.
For Insurers, Obama’s Proposed Cancellation ‘Fix’ Changes Health Law Calculations
Wellpoint and other insurers face a new set of decisions as a result of the Obama administration’s proposed “fix,” which would allow them to renew individual plans that don’t include all the benefits required by the overhaul.
A Reader Asks: Will International Students Be Eligible For Health Law’s Subsidized Coverage?
Anyone who is “lawfully present” in the United States may qualify for premium tax credits to help pay for health insurance.
In Iowa, Accountable Care Begins To Make A Difference
The Medicare program created by the Affordable Care Act focuses on smarter, targeted care to save lives and money.
President’s Cancellation ‘Fix’ Likely To Affect A Limited Number Of Consumers
Many state regulators, insurers have yet to decide on whether to OK renewals of canceled policies.
Doctors Complain They Will Be Paid Less By Exchange Plans
Some worry the lower rates will discourage physicians from participating, potentially making it more difficult for enrollees to get care.
Scott Walker’s Medicaid Maneuver
The Wisconsin governor, who may have presidential ambitions, wants to take people off BadgerCare and have them shop for subsidized coverage on healthcare.gov.
As open enrollment continues under the health law, insurance columnist answers questions about issues affecting readers.
Grants Help States Combat High-Cost, Low-Quality Health Care
The Affordable Care Act offers state grants to reward doctors for quality health care.
Health Insurers Face An Uncertain Future
Insurers battle to increase profits while adapting to health law’s new constraints.
Uninsured In Mich. County Can Pay For Dental Care With Volunteer Work
The “pay-it-forward” program has served more than 4,000 adults in the Battle Creek area since 2007.
California Considers Its Options On Canceled Insurance Plans
The insurance commissioner and the health insurance industry lobby disagree over President Obama’s plan.
What Consumers Need To Know About The Obama Plan For Canceled Health Policies
Under the president’s plan, insurers will be permitted to extend this year’s policies into next year, but it’s far from clear that insurers will want to follow through. Some state regulators may not even let them.
Oregon Shines On Medicaid, As Texas Stalls On Sign-Ups
In Oregon, the online health marketplace isn’t working for people looking to buy individual policies. But the state has been rapidly expanding Medicaid anyway. In Texas, insurance helpers may face state regulations that would make it even harder to assist people seeking coverage.
Methodology: How Value Based Purchasing Payments Are Calculated
The Kaiser Health News story and data on Medicare’s quality payment programs are based on data from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) containing the Hospital Value-Based Purchasing and Readmissions Reduction Program adjustment factors for individual hospitals.
Nearly 1,500 Hospitals Penalized Under Medicare Program Rating Quality
The hospitals were rated on two-dozen measures, including surveys of patient satisfaction and death rates.
By State: Hospital Quality Bonuses And Penalties
Medicare gives hospitals bonuses and penalties based on how well they performed on 24 quality measures. This chart shows the average effect by state on hospitals’ Medicare payments during the second year of the program.
