Latest KFF Health News Stories
Some Hill Races Could Hinge On Seniors’ Anger Over Medicare
As emotions run high over the new health law, older voters’ concerns about Medicare cuts could be a deciding factor in some particularly close congressional races.
Dueling Letters On Medicare Part D Changes
Officials at CMS say they’re streamlining Medicare Part D – including eliminating some plans they call duplicative. But as the open enrollment period nears, some Republicans are criticizing the move as “frightening.”
Hospitals, Inc., A Kaiser Health News Series
Hospitals play an enormous role in the health care system; they’re a crucial part of the public health safety net and an important community resource. But they are expensive. Hospital costs make up the largest portion of the health spending in this country.
The Health Reform (Almost) Everyone Loves
Come with me to the land of happy health reform. It is a place where Republicans and Democrats find common ground, a place where physicians, hospitals and health insurers sit together as partners, a place where criticism is respectful, not rancorous. It is the world of Accountable Care Organizations (ACOs).
Studies Highlight High Medicare Costs For People In Nursing Homes
People who live in long-term care are much more likely to be sent to the hospital, sometimes unnecessarily, which can harm patients and drive up Medicare costs.
Feds Reassure Hospitals, Doctors On Cooperation Through ACOs
The agencies that oversee doctors and hospitals promised they will give unified guidance on how medical providers can form “accountable care organizations” without violating antitrust regulations. ACOs are a key part of the new health law.
Medical Loss Ratio Rule Should Encourage Health Care Fraud Fighting
While the federal government is investing heavily in anti-fraud efforts, private insurers should be given incentives to do the same.
New ‘Innovation’ Chief Comes From ‘Model’ Health Care System
Dr. Richard Gilfillan, the new acting director of the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Innovation, has quite a juggling act to perform.
The Census Bureau’s Annual Insurance Coverage Status Check
With this collection of resources, KHN provides a Census Bureau summary of key findings, the chapter on health insurance coverage and access the full report, “Income, Poverty, and Health Insurance Coverage in the United States: 2009.”
A Consumer’s Guide To The Health Law, Six Months In
The new health reform law could affect people who get their coverage at work, buy their own health insurance or are enrolled in Medicare.
Health Overhaul Brings Ban On Lifetime Benefit Caps
Among the new provisions of the health law that take effect later this month is a ban on something most people don’t even know they have – a lifetime limit on benefits covered by their health insurance.
Researchers Say Access To Primary Care Doesn’t Always Guarantee Better Health
Dartmouth researchers examining records of Medicare patients found that having access to a primary care doctor didn’t always result in the best health outcomes.
Tomorrow’s Medicare: The Efficient Hybrid?
Since Medicare began, how to best pay for beneficiaries’ medical services has been a persistent question.
Government Economists Say Health Overhaul Won’t Significantly Increase Spending
Economists in the federal Medicare office say health overhaul legislation and other changes made by regulators and Congress since February will only have a “moderate” effect on health spending.
Assessing The Needs Of Disabled Medicare Beneficiaries
To provide better services, government officials need more concrete information about the needs of the disabled community, White House adviser says.
Conservative Group Forecasts Medicare Doctor Access Problem
Seniors may have increasing difficulty getting a doctor appointment over the next 10 years, according to a new report from the National Center for Policy Analysis.
What To Do If You’re In Observation Care
Although it is difficult to reverse that decision, there are steps you can take to help make your case.
Medicare Will Experiment With Expansion Of Hospice Coverage
The health law calls for a demonstration program to test covering hospice treatments for patients still seeking to fight their illness.
Growing Number Of Patients Find A Hospital Stay Does Not Mean They’re Admitted
The use of observation care is rising as hospitals cope with increasing constraints from Medicare, which is under pressure to control costs. But the decision can mean more out-of-pocket expenses for patients.
Social Security’s Disabled Adult Child Program: A Key Option Often Below The Radar
Have you ever been to the supermarket and spotted a balding man with Down syndrome pushing a shopping cart for his elderly mother? Have you ever wondered how he pays his medical bills or his rent? In truth, no single
