Health Care Costs

Latest KFF Health News Stories

Algunos adultos de mediana edad deciden posponer la atención médica hasta tener Medicare

KFF Health News Original

Las personas con planes de ACA que están cerca de retirarse fueron de las más afectadas por los aumentos de precios luego de la suspensión de los subsidios federales mejorados, a finales de diciembre.

Even With Dental Insurance, You Still Could Face a Large Bill

KFF Health News Original

Costs keep many Americans, even those with insurance, from getting dental care. Understanding how dental insurance works and leaning into preventive care can help keep dental problems — and bills — manageable.

Rising Health Costs Push Some Middle-Aged Adults To Skip the Doc Until Medicare

KFF Health News Original

Adults ages 50 through 64 faced some of the steepest increases in out-of-pocket costs for Obamacare plans after a set of federal subsidies expired at the end of December. Some say they are putting off care or considering dropping health insurance coverage until Medicare picks up the bill.

Oz Escalates Medicaid Fraud Claims Against States After Focus on Minnesota

KFF Health News Original

The Trump administration’s unprecedented actions targeting Medicaid funding in Minnesota are part of what could become a playbook as officials turn pressure toward California, Florida, Maine, and New York.

What the Health? From KFF Health News: RFK Jr.’s Vaccine Schedule Changes Blocked — For Now

Podcast

A federal judge in Massachusetts this week sided with public health groups to block changes to the federally recommended schedule of childhood vaccines, dealing at least a temporary setback to Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s efforts to remake the schedule. Meanwhile, Congress has put its debate over the future of the Affordable Care Act on the back burner, but the issue of rising health care costs is still front and center for the voting public. Lauren Weber of The Washington Post, Margot Sanger-Katz of The New York Times, and Alice Miranda Ollstein of Politico join KFF Health News’ Julie Rovner to discuss these stories and more. Also this week, Rovner interviews KFF President and CEO Drew Altman to kick off a new series looking at health care solutions, called “How Would You Fix It?”

Watch: Affordability Plagues Health Care in Its Shift From Nonprofit to Profit Machine

KFF Health News Original

On “What the Health? From KFF Health News,” distributed by WAMU, chief Washington correspondent and host Julie Rovner sat down with Drew Altman, president and CEO of KFF, to talk about the likelihood of a national health care debate.

Evidence Shows ACA’s Mandated Benefits Alone Don’t Drive Up Costs. The Debate Continues.

KFF Health News Original

The Affordable Care Act put in place a package of benefits that health insurance plans must cover. Critics contend this mandate has jacked up premiums. Evidence supporting that claim is mixed.

Psiquiatras podrían adoptar biomarcadores en el diagnóstico de la salud mental

KFF Health News Original

En un documento de enero, la Asociación Americana de Psiquiatría incluyó ideas sobre cómo podría incorporar biomarcadores —indicadores biológicos de enfermedad mental que pueden aparecer en pruebas diagnósticas— en futuras versiones de su Manual Diagnóstico y Estadístico de los Trastornos Mentales.

Is It Worth Your Time and Money To Set Up an HSA?

KFF Health News Original

If you have a high-deductible health insurance plan, you’re probably eligible to use a health savings account. It can be an administrative headache, but it can save you money in the long run. Here’s what you need to know.

Aurorizacion previa, el proceso para obtener terapias o medicamentos, es una costosa pesadilla para los pacientes

KFF Health News Original

Cada año millones de pacientes enfrentan negativas a través del proceso de autorización previa, que exige que sus doctores obtengan aprobación anticipada de las aseguradoras antes de continuar con la atención médica.

Families Scramble To Pay Five-Figure Bills as Clock Ticks on Promised Preauthorization Reforms

KFF Health News Original

Last summer, the Trump administration announced a voluntary pledge by health insurers to reform prior authorization, which often requires patients or their doctors to seek preapproval from insurers before proceeding with medical care. Patient advocates and medical providers remain skeptical.

What the Health? From KFF Health News: 40 Years of Health Policy

Podcast

This month is 40 years since host Julie Rovner, chief Washington correspondent for KFF Health News, began reporting on health policy in Washington. To mark the anniversary, Rovner is joined by two longtime sources to discuss what has — and has not — changed since 1986.

Listen: What To Do When Health Insurance Slips Out of Reach

KFF Health News Original

2026 has been a challenging year to buy health insurance. Contributing factors include changes to the Medicaid program and hikes to the cost of Obamacare plans. But doctors and researchers say there are ways people without insurance can find affordable care.