Latest Morning Briefing Stories
Marketing Mistakes Hurt Latino Enrollment In California
Research shows that certain sales strategies resonate with American Latinos, but California’s insurance exchange didn’t try any of them initially.
Changes To Health Law Rules Include Extra Month To Enroll In 2015
Some consumers will also get more time to keep plans that don’t meet all the law’s requirements.
Groups Make Final Push To Sign People Up For Obamacare
With less than four weeks to go before the deadline, ads and direct appeals take aim at young people, Latinos and others without insurance coverage.
L.A. County Health Officials Grilled Over Nursing Home Inspections
The Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors unanimously ordered an audit Tuesday of how the public health department oversees nursing homes.
Health Workers’ Union Pushes Hospital Cost Control In California
The SEIU is gathering signatures to put two hospital questions to voters in November. The union wants hospital charges capped at 25 percent above costs and CEO salaries at nonprofit hospitals capped at $450,000 per year.
Health Law Provides No Guarantees Of Access To Midwives, Birthing Centers
The overhaul mandated maternity coverage, but some private insurance plans don’t include services.
L.A. County Officials Told Inspectors To Cut Short Nursing Home Probes
They say they were trying to help clear a California backlog of 9,000 cases. Elder care advocate calls the move “unconscionable.”
Three Key Changes Proposed For Medicare Part D
Among the elements of the proposal that consumers might notice are changes in what drugs will be “protected” so that they are more readily available to seniors, how many plans are offered and what pharmacies will be offering the best deals.
Administration Faces Opposition To Changes In Medicare Prescription Drug Program
Officials say proposed alterations would help seniors and save money but some patient groups and the drug industry are raising concerns.
There’s a Life-Saving Hepatitis C Drug. But You May Not Be Able To Afford It.
The price tag of the breakthrough treatment raises questions about the proper costs of pharmaceuticals.
A Reader Asks: How Do I Apply For Coverage For My Son In Another State?
KHN’s consumer columnist explains that parents can get a child-only policy for a dependent living elsewhere while still getting coverage for themselves at home.
Conn. Tries To Sell Its Obamacare Success To Other States
Selling Affordable Care Act insurance is going well in Connecticut, so the state is offering “Exchange In A Box” services to other states that are still stumbling.
Tales Of Obamacare: From Elation To Frustration
Chicago-area consumers navigate the health law’s new insurance exchanges.
Mass. Patients Can ‘Shop’ For Health Care — At Least In Theory
Part of the state’s health care cost control law requires hospitals and doctors tell patients how much things cost, if they ask.
Could Medicaid Expansion Debate Turn Into An Immigration Issue?
Proponents of expanding Medicaid in Florida argue that a ‘no’ vote means that legal immigrants will have access to insurance subsidies while some U.S. citizens go without coverage.
Readers Ask About Whether Some Practices By Doctors, Insurers Are Acceptable
KHN’s consumer columnist responds to questions about whether doctors can request to keep a patient’s credit card on file, if a woman can sign up for insurance after becoming pregnant and whether an insurer can keep a young man off his parent’s policy.
Obama Administration Proposes 1.9% Cut In Medicare Advantage Payments
Insurers claim the cuts are deeper and are campaigning to stop them, saying they will hurt seniors.
Medicare Data Show Wide Differences In ACOs’ Patient Care
The first public evaluation of how 141 networks of doctors and hospitals performed looks at five quality measures for patients with diabetes and heart disease.
A Reader Asks: Can My Doctor Charge Me For ‘Chronic Disease Management’ In My Annual Physical?
KHN’s consumer columnist says that even though many preventive care services are covered without cost to the patient, “evaluation and management services” can be billed separately.
Insurance, Not Injuries, May Determine Who Goes To Trauma Centers
A new Stanford University study shows that patients with critical injuries are less likely to be transferred to trauma centers if they have insurance.
