Latest KFF Health News Stories
Nevada Quietly Moves Ahead On Health Law
Nevada was one of the 27 states that challenged the constitutionality of the Affordable Care Act in court. But now GOP Gov. Brian Sandoval is moving forward on a key part of the law.
Missouri, Kansas Reject State-Run Health Insurance Exchanges
The moves by Kansas Gov. Sam Brownback and Missouri Gov. Jay Nixon open the door for increased federal involvement in health care in staunchly Republican territory.
High Deductible Plans Offer Low Premiums But Steep Risks
More employers are offering these insurance options, but they can leave workers paying thousands of dollars for care before the coverage kicks in.
Maine May Warm To ‘Obamacare’ After Democratic Sweep
Newly elected lawmakers pledge to push ahead with health law implementation despite the Republican governor’s opposition.
President’s Win Is Reprieve For ‘Obamacare’
The president’s victory cements the Affordable Care Act, expanding coverage to millions but leaving weighty questions about how to pay for it.
Federal Deficit Talks Could Impact Obama’s Moves On Health Law
Mounting pressures to reduce spending could lead the administration to change several key provisions of the health overhaul.
Employers Expected To Keep Some Of Health Law’s Popular Provisions, Even If Obama Loses
But election results could affect the rollout of insurance marketplaces, and the availability of federal subsidies to buy coverage.
Medicare Targets Health Plans With Low Ratings
Medicare officials are encouraging 525,000 beneficiaries to switch out of these 26 Medicare Advantage and drug plans that have received low ratings for three consecutive years.
Medicare Trying To Nudge Seniors Out Of Plans With Low Ratings
Government is sending letters to a half million beneficiaries to alert them to their plans’ poor performance.
Halvorson: Premium Costs In The Exchanges Will ‘Depend Entirely’ On Participation
The Kaiser Permanente chairman and CEO offers his take on a wide variety of health care issues insurers face in the current marketplace.
Q&A: Does The Health Law Require Me To Cover My Adult Child?
Michelle Andrews answers a reader question about the obligations of insurers — and parents — under the 2010 health law.
Insurance Policies Favoring Compounded Drugs For High-Risk Pregnancies Draw Scrutiny
Meningitis outbreak puts spotlight on rules favoring cheaper, but potentially riskier versions of drug to help prevent premature births.
How The Individual Mandate Penalty Will Be Calculated
Michelle Andrews answers a reader question about the requirement to carry health insurance in 2014 and the options for subsidized coverage.
Three Major Themes In U.S. Health Care Spending
Kaiser Health News senior correspondent Julie Appleby examines the factors driving the $2.6 trillion in annual health care spending in the U.S.
Seven Factors Driving Up Your Health Care Costs
The United States spends more on health care services than any other country, exceeding $2.6 trillion, or about 18 percent of gross domestic product. Here are seven ways you or your medical providers play a role.
Accountable Care Explained: An Experiment in State Health Policy
ACOs are among the most ambitious of the new Medicaid cost containment and quality improvement schemes that have arisen in response to the federal health law and state fiscal pressures.
As More Employers Drop Coverage, Retirees Turn To Specialized Insurance Exchanges
Counselors help consumers who are eligible for Medicare enroll in plans that replace their old workplace benefits.
Study Finds Premium Support Plan Could Raise Medicare Premiums In Many Parts of Country
Seniors in both traditional Medicare and Medicare Advantage plans would be affected by the change, according to research that looks at how a voucher system would have worked in 2010.
Chemo IV Vs. Pill Decision Can Come Down To Cost
KHN’s Insuring Your Health columnist Michelle Andrews answers a reader’s question about whether insurance companies cover chemotherapy pills at a lower rate — if at all — compared to intravenous treatment.
In New Health Exchange, Human Element Of Customer Service Is Up For Debate
Health insurance exchanges are supposed to make it easy to compare plans side-by-side, but concerns persist that without human assistance, buying coverage in them could prove daunting.
