Insurance

Latest KFF Health News Stories

UnitedHealthcare’s Efforts To Join California Marketplace Meet Resistance

KFF Health News Original

The request ran afoul of the official policy against allowing most insurers to join the statewide exchange for three years that didn’t choose to sell there when it opened in 2014. But officials last month also made some exceptions for insurers that want to operate in poorly served areas.

Despite Efforts, Latino ACA Enrollment Lags

KFF Health News Original

Still, since October 2013, 2.6 million Latinos gained insurance through the health law, according to HHS.  As of last June, the percentage of Latinos without health insurance dropped from 36 percent to 23 percent, but Latinos still face extra paperwork and language barriers.

Despite Health Law Rules, Some Contraceptives May Require Co-Payments

KFF Health News Original

The health overhaul mandated that insurers cover all costs for FDA-approved methods of birth control, but advocates and consumers say some plans have placed certain generic birth control pills among classes of drugs that require cost sharing.

GOP Chairmen Offer Alternative To Health Law

KFF Health News Original

Sens. Orrin Hatch and Richard Burr join with Rep. Fred Upton to renew a proposal to repeal the health law but preserve some tax credits for insurance and cuts to some Medicare providers.

Medical Debt Still a Problem Under Health Law — Despite Protections

KFF Health News Original

The health law was supposed to keep people from going broke, but despite limits on how much people will have to pay in the face of a medical catastrophe, many are still struggling to pay their health care bills.

Why Florida Is No. 1 In Obamacare Enrollment Despite GOP Opposition

KFF Health News Original

More Floridians have signed up for private health exchange plans than in any other state thanks to online mapping tools, coordinated outreach efforts and insurers’ involvement — and in spite of Republican opposition.

IRS Eases Repayment Rules For Excess Health Premium Subsidies

KFF Health News Original

Health insurance marketplace customers who received too much in tax credits in 2014 won’t face a late penalty if they don’t pay back the money by April 15, but they still face interest charges.

Most Californians On Insurance Exchange Are Sticking With Last Year’s Plan

KFF Health News Original

In California, the vast majority of people renewing health insurance coverage in the state’s exchange did not switch health plans, and instead are sticking with the one they selected last year.

Obamacare Drug Coverage Descriptions May Confuse Consumers About Costs, Study Finds

KFF Health News Original

Healthcare.gov only allows insurance plans to list cost sharing details for four drug tiers, but many plans on the website have more than that, potentially leading to consumer confusion, according to an analysis by Avalere Health.

Arkansas Medicaid Plan Offers Mixed Lessons

KFF Health News Original

An influential Texas group says Arkansas’ experiment using federal money to buy private insurance for the poor has cost more than expected and should not be emulated by other states.

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.