Insurance

Latest KFF Health News Stories

Could Trump’s Push To Undo The ACA Cause Problems For COVID Survivors? Biden Thinks So.

KFF Health News Original

The speech by the presumptive Democrat presidential nominee was delivered the same day the Trump administration reaffirmed its support of a lawsuit that would invalidate all of the Affordable Care Act, including the law’s preexisting condition protections.

COVID Catch-22: They Got A Big ER Bill Because Hospitals Couldn’t Test For Virus

KFF Health News Original

Americans who had coronavirus symptoms in March and April are getting big hospital bills — because they were not sick enough to get then-scarce COVID tests. Some insurers say they are trying to correct these bills, but patients may have to put up a fight.

NIH Spearheads Study To Test At-Home Screening For HPV And Cervical Cancer

KFF Health News Original

The National Cancer Institute plans to launch a multisite study next year involving roughly 5,000 women to assess whether self-sampling at home for the human papillomavirus that causes cervical cancer is comparable to screening in a doctor’s office.

Essential Worker Shoulders $1,840 Pandemic Debt Due To COVID Cost Loophole

KFF Health News Original

Carmen Quintero had symptoms of COVID-19, couldn’t get tested and ended up with a huge bill. She also was told to self-isolate and assume she had the coronavirus — which is hard when you live with elders.

Ghost Bill: UVA Siphons Couple’s Tax Refund To Pay 20-Year-Old Medical Debt

KFF Health News Original

Jane Collins and Anthony Blow were stunned to learn last fall that their state tax refund was being reduced by $110 because the Charlottesville medical center said they owed money for care their son received in 2001 and 2002.

Social Media Fears About Lack Of Coverage For Protest Injuries Are Overblown

KFF Health News Original

After some protests over the death of George Floyd resulted in violence, online discussions raised concerns that health plans might deny medical coverage. Although plans do sometimes make exclusions for “illegal acts” or riots, experts say concerns by people who are protesting Floyd’s death may be overstated.

‘Why Do We Always Get Hit First?’ Proposed Budget Cuts Target Vulnerable Californians

KFF Health News Original

Safety-net health care programs that keep low-income Californians out of nursing homes are on the chopping block as Gov. Gavin Newsom and state lawmakers attempt to plug a massive budget deficit caused by the COVID-19 emergency.

Coronavirus Surprise: IRS Allows Midyear Insurance And FSA Changes

KFF Health News Original

Last month, the Internal Revenue Service announced it would let employees add, drop or change some of their benefits for the remainder of 2020. The catch: Your employer has to allow the changes. KHN explains how it could work.

COVID-Like Cough Sent Him To ER — Where He Got A $3,278 Bill

KFF Health News Original

A dad in Denver tried to do everything right when COVID symptoms surfaced. Still, he ended up with a huge bill from an insurer that had said it waived cost sharing for coronavirus treatment. What gives?

Tourists, Beware: Foreign Visitors’ Travel Health Insurance Might Exclude Pandemics

KFF Health News Original

Many travel insurance plans offer health care coverage, but they could limit how much the insurer will pay or exclude coverage for health crises like the coronavirus pandemic. That may leave foreign travelers — unfamiliar with the way the American health system works ― on the hook for major expenses.

‘An Arm And A Leg’: Angst And Advice From A Health Insurance Insider

KFF Health News Original

A podcast listener who works in the health insurance industry says that when you’re trying to untangle a problem with your health insurance company ask the representative on the phone to slow down. And if need be, don’t hesitate to ask to speak with a supervisor.