Insurance

Latest KFF Health News Stories

A Transgender Woman’s ‘Bait-And-Switch’ $92,000 Surgery Bill

KFF Health News Original

After being promised a significant discount for paying cash upfront and forgoing insurance, a Wisconsin patient gets caught in the middle between hospital and insurer — and feels snookered by a last-minute surprise and billing snafu.

California’s ACA Rates To Rise 8.7% Next Year

KFF Health News Original

The average increase in California is smaller than the double-digit hikes expected around the nation, due largely to a healthier mix of enrollees and more competition in its marketplace. Still, health insurance prices keep growing faster than wages and general inflation.

Children With Disabilities Endure Long Waits For Life-Changing Medical Equipment

KFF Health News Original

Some California children with serious health care problems wait more than a year for wheelchairs, bath benches, commodes, specialized crutches and other crucial medical equipment. Critics blame the delays on a confusing bureaucratic maze of private insurers and public programs.

States Attacking ACA Would Suffer Most If Preexisting Conditions Shield Gets Axed

KFF Health News Original

A coalition of Republican states has launched a legal challenge to the Affordable Care Act, including provisions requiring insurers to offer coverage to people with preexisting conditions without raising rates. An analysis shows that some of these states have the highest proportion of such residents.

Podcast: KHN’s ‘What The Health?’ ACA Under Fire. Again.

KFF Health News Original

In this episode of KHN’s “What the Health?” Julie Rovner of Kaiser Health News, Margot Sanger-Katz of The New York Times, Anna Edney of Bloomberg News and Julie Appleby of Kaiser Health News discuss the health politics of the latest Supreme Court pick, as well as the Trump administration’s efforts to further undermine the Affordable Care Act. Plus, for extra credit, the panelists recommend their favorite health stories of the week.

Más recortes a los fondos para programas de navegadores de ACA

KFF Health News Original

Los Centros de Servicios de Medicare y Medicaid anunciaron que están reduciendo el dinero para financiar el trabajo de los navegadores, que ayudan a las personas a inscribirse y comprar o cambiar de plan de salud

Insurers Fall Short In Catching And Reporting Medicaid Fraud, Inspectors Find

KFF Health News Original

Medicaid has struggled for years with poor oversight and billions lost to improper payments. A new report finds that despite their fraud-fighting rhetoric, Medicaid managed-care companies are not as rigorous as they should be in ensuring the integrity of the Medicaid payment system.

Listen: A Sudden Freeze On ACA Payouts And What It Means For You

KFF Health News Original

The Trump administration suspended a program over the weekend that helps stabilize the health insurance exchanges created by the Affordable Care Act, prompting some insurance companies to warn of higher premiums. KHN’s Julie Rovner and Chad Terhune explain the uncertain health care landscape in the U.S.

Podcast: KHN’s ‘What The Health?’ Whither Work Requirements?

KFF Health News Original

In this episode of KHN’s “What the Health?” Julie Rovner of Kaiser Health News, Joanne Kenen of Politico, Stephanie Armour of The Wall Street Journal and Anna Edney of Bloomberg News discuss the latest enrollment numbers for the Affordable Care Act, Medicaid work requirements in Kentucky and President Donald Trump’s proposed government reorganization plan. Plus, for extra credit, the panelists recommend their favorite health stories of the week.

Father’s And Son’s Injuries Lead To The Mother Of All Therapy Bills

KFF Health News Original

A father and son suffered serious hand injuries nine days apart. They both needed surgery and lots of follow-up occupational therapy to rehab their hands. But insurance paid for just a fraction of those OT bills, and the family owed more than $8,500.

ACA Protections For Sick Patients Still Popular Despite GOP’s Efforts To End Them

KFF Health News Original

Despite a decision by the Trump administration to ask a court to nullify the portion of the health law guaranteeing coverage to the sick, the Kaiser Family Foundation poll finds most people want insurers to be required to offer coverage and not charge more.