Latest KFF Health News Stories
Fourth Florida Insurer Agrees To Cap Cost Of HIV Drugs
A fourth insurer in Florida, Preferred Medical Plan, was hit with a federal civil rights complaint for discriminating against people with HIV. All have now agreed to lower drug costs.
California Takes Different Path On Insuring Immigrants Living In U.S. Illegally
Local initiatives offer free care and legislation proposes coverage for all regardless of immigration status. Will other states follow suit?
Arkansas Medicaid Plan Offers Mixed Lessons
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
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.
Mass. Malpractice Reforms Offer Faster, More Open Process For Injured Patients
Hospitals in the state are among the leaders in developing new medical liability initiatives and a recently enacted law helps consumers who want to challenge hospitals and doctors.
Once, Same-Sex Couples Couldn’t Wed; Now, Some Employers Say They Must
With same sex marriage legal in 35 states, some employers say they will no longer provide benefits to unmarried partners.
Limited Insurance Choices Frustrate Some Patients In California
California is seen as an Obamacare success story, but about 30,000 people there are stuck with only one choice of insurer on the exchange.
Alaska Health Plan Premiums, Highest In Nation, Are Triple Those In Phoenix
A look at the 10 least and 10 most expensive places for health insurance shows a wide gap in prices for the same type of coverage.
Health Insurance Startup Collapses In Iowa
Obamacare provided billions in seed money to help establish insurance companies called co-ops. One of the biggest has now gone under, and its state overseer is telling clients to switch carriers.
Most Marketplace Customers Have New Filing Requirements This Tax Season
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.
Skipped Care A Side Effect Of High-Deductible Health Plans
High deductibles and other out-of-pocket costs related to health insurance have become a rising concern among consumers and health-care providers.
Payment Disparities Puzzle, Intrigue Charlotte Health Execs
Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina says it decided to reveal how much it pays hospitals for particular procedures to help consumers hold down costs.
Congress Seeks To Limit Transfers Between Social Security And Disability Funds
Supporters of the change say it would strengthen both funds but critics fear impact on poor and disabled.
Intrauterine Devices And Other Long-Acting Contraceptives Gaining Popularity
Analysis of federal data finds they still lag behind birth-control pills and condoms.
Might Your Workers Be Eligible For Medicaid? Start-Up Helps Employers Find Out
BeneStream screens for Medicaid-eligible workers, creating a win-win for both employers and employees.
Many Insurers Do Not Cover Drugs Approved To Help People Lose Weight
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.
Millions Have Already Enrolled In 2015 Health Policies, Deadline Still 7 Weeks Off
More than 6 million Americans are already signed up for Obamacare policies for 2015.
Can I Keep My Marketplace Plan When I’m Enrolled In Medicare?
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.
Seniors’ Wait For A Medicare Appeal Is Cut In Half
Federal officials handle most of the requests in 2014 from beneficiaries seeking a hearing before a judge and cut into the heavy backlog. But cases from hospitals, doctors and other providers are still on hold.
Medicaid Privatization May Pose Risk To Those With Complicated Health Needs
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 […]
