Cost and Quality

Latest KFF Health News Stories

These Annual Checkups Help Seniors Not Only Survive But Thrive

KFF Health News Original

Seniors are living longer and defying predictions of cognitive and functional decline. Wellness coaches guide them in setting goals for the year — whether physical, social, in­tellectual or spiritual.

In Era Of Increased Competition, Hospitals Fret Over Ratings

KFF Health News Original

Hospitals are jockeying for patients and view the many different quality and safety ratings as a keen way to distinguish their services. But when those ratings nosedive, a hospital may retaliate.

Podcast: ‘What The Health?’ Is Health Care Spending Still The Hungry, Hungry Hippo?

KFF Health News Original

In this episode of “What the Health?” Julie Rovner of Kaiser Health News, Stephanie Armour of the Wall Street Journal, Alice Ollstein of Talking Points Memo and Margot Sanger Katz of The New York Times discuss new health spending numbers from the federal government, as well as how the year-end legislating in Congress is being complicated by health issues.

Your Plumber Offers A Money-Back Guarantee. Should Your Doctor?

KFF Health News Original

Even though consumers don’t expect to pay for faulty service or goods, they are often forced to pay for bad health care. But a small number of hospitals and doctors are seeking to change that practice.

Dangling A Carrot For Patients To Take Healthy Steps: Does It Work?

KFF Health News Original

Many medical groups and state Medicaid programs are offering gift cards, cash and other rewards to low-income patients if they agree to get preventive screenings and make healthier lifestyle choices.