Cost and Quality

Latest KFF Health News Stories

Tax Preparers Brace To Be Bearers Of Bad Health Law News

KFF Health News Original

With Affordable Care Act open enrollment ending Feb. 15, taxpayers could find themselves shut out of health insurance – and saddled with big fines – if they don’t do their taxes early this year.

HHS, Research Community Debate Informed Consent Policy

KFF Health News Original

Supporters say the proposed changes would lead to clear and thorough explanations of the dangers studies involve, but some advocacy groups warn they could have a chilling effect on innovation.

Health-Law Test To Cut Readmissions Lacks Early Results

KFF Health News Original

Results so far show community agencies haven’t made a big difference in keeping seniors from making return hospital trips. But administration officials say the program has plenty of potential.

Most Marketplace Customers Have New Filing Requirements This Tax Season

KFF Health News Original

The health law requires people to report their coverage situation. Those who get insurance through their jobs will only have to check a box on the usual return, but those without insurance or those who received subsidies will have to fill out new forms.

Rural Doctor Launches Startup To Ease Pain Of Dying Patients

KFF Health News Original

Getting basic health care to rural areas has always been difficult, and delivering specialized care is even harder. One doctor is raising money to get palliative care to patients in rural California.

Many Insurers Do Not Cover Drugs Approved To Help People Lose Weight

KFF Health News Original

Despite the increasing efforts to fight the obesity epidemic and the approval of four new weight-loss medications, Medicare and many private plans are reluctant to pay for the medicines because of serious safety problems with other drugs in the past.

Can I Keep My Marketplace Plan When I’m Enrolled In Medicare?

KFF Health News Original

KHN’s consumer columnist answers a reader’s question about whether coverage from the health law’s online exchanges is compatible with Medicare and another question on Medicare drug coverage options when seniors move.

Medicaid Privatization May Pose Risk To Those With Complicated Health Needs

KFF Health News Original

Florida’s decision to privatize government-subsidized healthcare for more than 3 million Medicaid recipients will lower costs and improve care, state leaders say. But the new managed care system is also exposing some Floridians in Medicaid, the state/federal insurance program for children, the poor and disabled, to the uncertainties of the private market for the first […]

Hospital-Acquired Condition Penalties By State

KFF Health News Original

Medicare is reducing payments to 721 hospitals with high rates of infections or other medical complications. About 1,400 hospitals, including all in Maryland, are excluded from the program and Medicare did not assess their rates of patient harm.

721 Hospitals Penalized For Patient Safety

KFF Health News Original

Medicare is penalizing 721 hospitals with high rates of potentially avoidable mistakes that can harm patients, known as “hospital-acquired conditions.” Penalized hospitals will have their Medicare payments reduced by 1 percent over the fiscal year that runs from October 2014 through September 2015. To determine penalties, Medicare evaluated three types of HACs. One is central-line associated bloodstream infections, or CLABSIs. The second is catheter-associated urinary tract infections, or CAUTIs. The final one, Serious Complications, is based on eight types of injuries, including blood clots, bed sores and falls. Here are the hospitals that are being penalized:

For Some Families, Coverage With Separate Deductibles Might Be The Best Choice

KFF Health News Original

Smart shoppers will dig deep to find out if their family coverage has one deductible for the whole family or separate “embedded” deductibles for each family member. The answer could make a big difference in your out-of-pocket costs.