Insurance

Latest KFF Health News Stories

Medicaid Expansion Boosts Hospital Bottom Lines — And Prices

KFF Health News Original

Colorado officials say hospitals are better off financially after the state expanded coverage to more low-income residents, but that hasn’t stopped them from shifting more costs to other insured patients.

Price Of A Brace Brings Soccer Player To His Knees

KFF Health News Original

After a sports injury, Esteban Serrano owed $829.41 for a knee brace purchased with insurance through his doctor’s office. The same kind of braces sell for less than $250 online, he says.

State Laws Ban Surprise Medical Bills. She Got One for $227K And Fought Back.

KFF Health News Original

No one told a Washington state woman she was racking up massive out-of-pocket charges during a month-long emergency stay in an Oregon hospital. For six months, she and her husband were haunted by looming debt — and bill collectors.

Podcast: KHN’s ‘What The Health?’ Surprise! Fixing Surprise Medical Bills Is Harder Than it Looks

KFF Health News Original

Joanne Kenen of Politico, Anna Edney of Bloomberg News and Alice Miranda Ollstein of Politico join KHN’s Julie Rovner to discuss the efforts to curb “surprise” medical bills to patients who inadvertently get out-of-network care; a look at where the 2020 presidential candidates stand on health; and the Trump administration’s efforts to end HIV in the U.S. Also, Rovner interviews Food and Drug Administration Commissioner Scott Gottlieb, who is leaving his job in early April.

Costly Confusion: Medicare’s Wellness Visit Isn’t The Same As An Annual Physical

KFF Health News Original

Medicare doesn’t pay for an annual physical, but it does cover an annual wellness visit focused on preventing disease and disability by coming up with a “personalized prevention plan” for future medical issues. It is important to use the correct term when scheduling a doctor’s visit.

Podcast: KHN’s ‘What The Health?’ The Karma Of Cutting Medicare

KFF Health News Original

Stephanie Armour of The Wall Street Journal, Alice Ollstein of Politico and Rebecca Adams of CQ Roll Call join KHN’s Julie Rovner to discuss the suggested cuts to health programs in President Donald Trump’s budget proposal, the latest on lawsuits challenging work requirements for Medicaid enrollees and the FDA’s crackdown on e-cigarettes. Plus, for extra credit, the panelists recommend their favorite health policy stories of the week.

Comprendiendo la soledad en los adultos mayores y diseñando una solución

KFF Health News Original

La soledad se presenta en diferentes formas que requieren respuestas diferentes. Hay una soledad emocional, que afecta a nivel íntimo, y otra social, la percepción que la persona no encaja más en distintos entornos.

‘Medicare-For-All’ Gets Buzzy In Unexpected Locales

KFF Health News Original

At recent “barnstorming” meetings in South Carolina and West Virginia, activists felt momentum behind their “Medicare-for-all” cause even as they ready for a major political fight.

Podcast: KHN’s ‘What The Health?’ What’s Next For The FDA?

KFF Health News Original

Margot Sanger-Katz of The New York Times, Joanne Kenen of Politico and Kimberly Leonard of the Washington Examiner join KHN’s Julie Rovner to discuss the resignation of Food and Drug Administration Commissioner Scott Gottlieb, the latest on federal and state efforts to shore up the Affordable Care Act; and how public health officials plan to persuade parents who are reluctant to vaccinate their kids. Plus, for extra credit, the panelists recommend their favorite health policy stories of the week.