Latest KFF Health News Stories
A Reader Asks: What Happens To My Coverage If I Move?
A move to a different area qualifies for a “special enrollment period” to buy a new policy.
Lessons From The Obamacare Data Dump
Among the insights: Competition lowers prices, options vary widely by location, and insurers think consumers prefer low premiums to low copays and deductibles.
South Florida Insurance Rates Will Be Among Lowest In State, Report Says
Miami-Dade and Broward County residents who buy health insurance through federally run online marketplaces opening Tuesday will be paying some of the cheapest rates available in Florida, according to federal data released Wednesday.
Worried About Costs And Unaware of Help, Californians Head Into New Era of Health Coverage
Survey of 2,000 Californians also finds that many undocumented immigrants mistakenly believe they will be covered.
Consumer Groups Criticize Anthem’s Narrow Network In Missouri’s Obamacare Marketplace
The insurer touts affordable plans, but the exclusion of some premier hospitals could reduce treatment options for some patients.
Average Obamacare Premiums Will Be Lower Than Projected
Report shows wide variation across the country, with some states that opposed implementation of the health law boasting lower-than-average rates.
Some Say Obamacare’s ‘Affordable’ Coverage Isn’t Affordable For Them
Moderate-income consumers may get subsidies but will also be required to pay up to 9.5 percent of their income toward monthly premiums, which some say will put coverage out of reach.
Readers Ask: What Options Do Parents Have To Get Coverage For Their Kids?
Consumer columnist answers questions about getting insurance for children under the health law.
Swapping COBRA For Obamacare Likely To Be Windfall For Big Business
Experts expect people who are between jobs to gradually transfer to exchanges, a trend projected to save large employers billions in medical claims for ex-employees.
What Consumers Really Want From An Obamacare Plan
When consultants ran simulations of the exchanges that open for enrollment Oct. 1, they found that price was a major consideration. But so were hospital networks — more so than retaining doctors.
A Reader Asks: How Can We Be Sure To Get A Policy That Covers Maternity Care?
Currently many plans sold on the individual market do not provide maternity coverage. But that will change under the health law.
FAQ: Seniors On Medicare Don’t Need To Apply To The Health Law Marketplaces
The online exchanges that open Oct. 1 are not aimed at Medicare beneficiaries, but the 2010 health law does affect seniors in other ways.
In Most States, Policies Will be Sold Outside The Health Law Marketplace
Those plans must also provide the same “essential benefits” as the plans set up for the exchanges and have similar out-of-pocket standards.
Different Types Of Marketplace Plans Expected To Be Available
Number of policies offered will vary depending on the state.
Health Plans Won’t be Able To Drop Individuals From Coverage
Open enrollments will be held annually for beneficiaries.
A Guide To The Lawsuits Challenging Obamacare’s Contraception Coverage Requirements
Various legal challenges to the health law’s contraception coverage mandate are continuing to wind their way through the system.
FAQ: How Employer-Sponsored Health Insurance Is Changing
Employers are raising deductibles, giving workers health savings accounts, mimicking the health law’s online insurance marketplaces and nudging patients to shop around for treatments.
48 Million Americans Remain Uninsured, Census Bureau Reports
The uninsured rate for 2012 dropped slightly from 15.7 percent to 15.4 percent, largely because of an increase in people enrolled in public insurance programs.
Obamacare Will Be Both Ally And Rival To eHealthInsurance
The Affordable Care Act could have easily put eHealthInsurance.com out of business; instead, eHealthInsurance will be another place to buy plans in the 34 states that have federally run insurance exchanges.
For Workers Leaving Their Jobs, Health Exchanges Offer Insurance Choices Beyond COBRA
The health law’s new online insurance marketplaces will create new opportunities for people who lose their jobs and their employer-based health coverage, but consumer advocates worry they may not realize this and lock themselves into pricier coverage than they need.
