Latest KFF Health News Stories
Study Finds Marketplace Silver Plans Offer Poor Access To HIV Drugs
Only 16 percent of the popular plans cover all 10 of the most common drug regimens and charge less than $100 a month in consumer cost sharing, according to a report by Avalere Health.
Depressed? Look For Help From A Human, Not A Computer
Researchers asked people with depression to use an online cognitive behavioral therapy program at home. It helped no more than primary care visits. Most said they were too depressed to use it.
Musicians Struggle To Buy Insurance In A City That Thrives On Music
The music industry generates $1.6 billion a year for Austin, Texas. But many musicians can’t afford the basics, including health insurance. The Health Alliance for Austin Musicians steps in to help.
Doctors, Lawyers And Even The Bank Can Help Identify Elder Abuse
According to a New England Journal of Medicine research review, about 10 percent of older Americans may face some form of abuse, and primary care physicians are often positioned as the first line of defense.
When Something Goes Wrong At The Hospital, Who Pays?
Hospital practices vary when it comes to paying care costs for patients with bad outcomes. Sometimes, patients foot the bill.
It’s On The Test: New Questions Require Doctors To Learn About Military Medicine
Medical licensing exams will include questions about military medicine, encouraging doctors to recognize and learn how to treat problems like PTSD.
Health Systems Dipping Into The Business Of Selling Insurance
These plans, which still are a minority in the marketplaces, can help drive consumers to use the system’s hospitals and doctors, but some also offer competitive prices.
It’s Never Too Soon To Plan Your ‘Driving Retirement’
Experts say families should re-think how seniors give up the car keys. Planning transportation options way ahead of time can avoid often painful conversations and confrontations.
Five Things Young Adults Should Know About Buying Health Insurance
Open enrollment under Obamacare started Nov. 1 – if you’re uninsured, now’s the time to consider options.
‘Do The Math’ When Shopping For A Health Plan This Open Enrollment Season
Because of the complexity of insurance available through healthcare.gov and state exchanges, and the broad variation in how prescription drugs are covered, experts encourage consumers to compare options to figure out which one best fits their needs.
Consumer Confusion Continues In Obamacare’s Third Year
Officials are reaching out to people who sat on the sidelines for the first two years of the health law, and they are finding the law is still not well understood – and, for some, insurance is still too expensive.
Using A Weight-Loss App? Study Says It Doesn’t Help Much
Duke University researchers wanted to see if a smartphone weight-loss app would help tech-savvy young adults lose more weight. It didn’t.
Calif. Medicaid Patients With Cancer Fare Worse Than Those With Other Coverage
Researchers found Medi-Cal patients were diagnosed later, were less likely to receive recommended treatment and had lower survival rates.
The Last Decade’s Culture Wars Drove Some States To Fund Stem Cell Research
When the Bush administration choked federal funding for research involving cells taken from human embryos, some states opted to start their own programs.
Marketplace Plans Covering Out-Of-Network Care Harder To Find
Two studies analyze the decline in PPO plans that provide some coverage when patients seek care from doctors, hospitals and other providers that are not on the plan’s network.
Kentucky’s Exchange Success Doesn’t Translate To Small Business Participation
Despite strong enrollment in Kentucky’s online health insurance marketplace, participation in its exchange for small employers also created by the Affordable Care Act has mostly been a dud.
Small Businesses Snub Obamacare’s SHOP Exchange
Software problems, better health insurance options elsewhere are said to hold enrollment well under projections after almost two years.
Researchers Say Their Path To Better Health Starts With Patients’ Input
A federal institute created by the health law is seeding research projects around the U.S. that connect medical professionals with patients to find better treatments.
Even In High-Deductible Plans, Some Service May Be Covered Without Cost To You
KHN’s consumer columnist answers readers’ questions about high deductible plans, out of network benefits and increases in premium costs.
Texas’ Changing Relationship To Obamacare
For the moment, Texas Republicans still consider the Affordable Care Act to be political kryptonite, but the story on the local level is different: many moderates want the money that would come with expanding Medicaid, the state-federal health care program for the poor.
