Latest KFF Health News Stories
The author is responding to recent coverage of the Blue Shield Of California announcement that it will cap its profits.
Appealing An Insurer’s Denial Is Often A Good Strategy
GAO finds most claims problems come from billing and eligibility issues, and beneficiaries often win when they appeal.
Effort To End Surgeries On Wrong Patient Or Body Part Falters
Experts thought simple steps, such as marking the surgical site and taking a timeout to confirm the details, would end the problem. But it turns out to be more complicated to change the culture of hospitals and doctors.
Low-Income Families’ Rx For Health Reform (Guest Opinion)
For health reform to truly take root, we should take our cue from the millions of low-income Californians who have the most at stake
‘Double’ Chest Scans Increase Costs And Exposure To Radiation
Many hospitals are performing unusually large numbers of a type of CT scan experts say should be done sparingly.
Video: Rockefeller Says He Will Fight ‘To The End’ Against Medicaid Cuts
KHN’s Mary Agnes Carey talks to Sen. Rockefeller about his efforts to defend the Medicaid program.
Rockefeller Says He Will Fight ‘To The End’ Against Medicaid Cuts-The KHN Interview
W.Va. senator is working to raise defenses against efforts in the deficit reduction talks to reduce funding for the health care program that covers the poor and disabled.
Enthusiasm Rises Among Med Students For Primary Care-The KHN Interview
Dr. Andy Bindman says educators at the University of California, San Francisco, are seeing a “pretty significant uptick” in applicants for primary care residencies.
Built To Fail: Health Insurance Exchanges Under The Affordable Care Act (Guest Opinion)
The House of Representatives voted last month to repeal funding for the state health-insurance exchanges. The vote reflects a grassroots revolt. But a better approach might be to rally around the original tenets of the health exchange model.
There’s been a lot of talk among state policymakers, industry stakeholders and the media about whether exchanges should be “active” or “passive” purchasers of health insurance.
Out-Of-Network Ambulance Rides Can Bring Out-Of-Pocket Expenses
Consumers, who often don’t have a choice of ambulance services, can be left holding the bill when insurers refuse to pay entire cost.
On Political Expediency and Health Care Reform (Guest Opinion)
Once upon a time, President Barack Obama and many others who championed his health care plan actually professed faith in the power of a functioning health care marketplace. That now seems like a distant memory.
A Health Policy Reality Check (Guest Opinion)
We occupy a strange time in U.S. health policy. Over the past two years, assumptions and beliefs that bridged the liberal-conservative health policy divide have been blown apart.
Blue Shield Of California Sets Profit Cap Other Insurers May Not Imitate
Blue Shield of California’s decision to cap profits at 2 percent was widely applauded, but other health insurers aren’t likely to follow suit.
Another Day In Court For The Individual Mandate (Guest Opinion)
Could the health law be overturned on the basis of the requirement that nearly everyone obtain health insurance? Sure. But it would be one more sign that the courts are establishing new limits on federal power, rather than recognizing existing ones. That is not something conservative judges, in particular, say they like to do.
Soaring Health Costs Pinned On Medical Devices
The latest devices
Protecting Yourself During The Night And Weekend
Experts offer some tips for patients and their families to help prevent problems in the hospital.
Hospitals Turning To Nocturnists
These physicians, who treat patients outside the emergency room, are seeking to reverse the “weekend effect,” or higher rates of death and complications.
It’s Not A Dream: An Insurer Who Lowers Rates
Health law’s requirements on how much insurers must spend on medical care is leading to some refunds and reductions in consumer costs.
Ryan’s Unintended Consequences (Guest Opinion)
There is one good thing about Ryan’s plan, and it has been completely overlooked. Offering beneficiaries the same voucher, no matter where they live, would expose the egregious amount of money Medicare wastes in many parts of the country.
