Insurance

Latest KFF Health News Stories

Watch: Why Infusion Drugs Come With Sticker Shock

KFF Health News Original

The story of an Ohio mom who faced an outrageous bill for a new medicine for multiple sclerosis is the latest installment in the “Bill of the Month” series, an ongoing crowdsourced investigation by KHN and NPR.

Under Trump, Number Of Uninsured Kids Rose For First Time This Decade

KFF Health News Original

About 276,000 more children are among the uninsured, a new report finds. Though the uptick is statistically small, it is striking because uninsured rates usually decrease during periods of economic growth.

Chronically Ill, Traumatically Billed: The $123,000 Medicine For MS

KFF Health News Original

Shereese Hickson’s doctor wanted her to try the infusion drug Ocrevus for her multiple sclerosis. Even though Hickson is trained as a medical billing coder, she was shocked to see two doses of the drug priced at $123,019, with her share set at $3,620.

Buyers Of Short-Term Health Plans: Wise Or Shortsighted?

KFF Health News Original

Policyholders reason that their health is good — for now — and they don’t see the need for costly comprehensive coverage. Detractors say the plans undermine the Affordable Care Act, and agents advise reading the fine print. “You basically have to be in perfect health,” says one.

Trumpeted New Medicare Advantage Benefits Will Be Hard For Seniors To Find

KFF Health News Original

Federal officials are hailing the introduction of services such as transportation to medical appointments, home-delivered meals and installation of wheelchair ramps as a way to keep beneficiaries healthy and avoid costly hospitalizations. But not many plans are offering the services in 2019.

California’s Top Lawyer Sees Election Win As Mandate To Sustain Trump Resistance

KFF Health News Original

Attorney General Xavier Becerra views his resounding Election Day win as a “clear signal” from voters to continue his work defending the Affordable Care Act and pushing back against the Trump administration.

Midterm Election Boosts Medicaid Expansion, But Challenges Remain

KFF Health News Original

Following the vote, nearly 500,000 uninsured adults in five states are poised to gain Medicaid coverage under the Affordable Care Act, say advocates. But many conservatives remain opposed to the expansion.

Elecciones: la salud es importante para los votantes, pero no es crucial

KFF Health News Original

Aunque el tema de la atención de salud pareció no ser crucial para los votantes en las elecciones de medio término, el martes 6 de noviembre fue un buen día para la expansión de Medicaid.

Midterm Results Show Health Is Important To Voters But No Magic Bullet

KFF Health News Original

Even though they are taking control of the House, Democrats will be unlikely to advance many initiatives on health that don’t meet Republican approval since the GOP controls the Senate and the White House. But they can block any efforts to weaken the Affordable Care Act or change Medicaid or Medicare.

California Dreamin’? With Newsom’s Win, Single-Payer Unlikely To Follow Anytime Soon

KFF Health News Original

Even though Democrat Gavin Newsom campaigned for single-payer, it’s unlikely that he and other lawmakers will completely overhaul the state’s health care system right away. Instead, they will likely propose incremental steps to provide more Californians with health insurance.

Hello? It’s I, Robot, And Have I Got An Insurance Plan For You!

KFF Health News Original

An “epidemic” of robocalls timed to open-enrollment season are largely illegal, fraudulent or aim to rope you into insurance you don’t need or can’t use. They’re also really annoying.