Latest KFF Health News Stories
Obama Announces 8 Million Have Enrolled In Marketplace Plans
The president also announced that 35 percent of people who enrolled on the federally run healthcare.gov marketplace are under age 35.
Fully paid up but still no coverage
A 39-year-old Philadelphia day care teacher, made three monthly premium payments at more than three times the subsidized rate just to make sure she was covered. And her insurance has still been canceled three times
Focus On Marketplace Enrollment Overlooks Millions Who Bought Private Insurance
The federal government hasn’t been counting the number of people who buy non-exchange plans directly from insurance carriers — and that number could be substantial.
Patients Often Win If They Appeal A Denied Health Claim
The health law set national rules for appealing a denied claim, and advocates say consumers should take advantage of them.
Doctors Overlook Lucrative Procedures When Naming Unwise Treatments
In the “Choosing Wisely” campaign, medical specialty societies have published lists of procedures that doctors and patients should consider skeptically. But some groups overlooked their own dubious, but profitable procedures.
Sebelius Resigns; Obama Names OMB Chief Burwell To Head HHS
The cabinet member who shepherded the implementation of the health law told the president last month that she wanted to leave after open enrollment was finished, a White House official says.
Obama Hails Sebelius’ ‘Extraordinary Service’
Obama said in remarks at the White House that Kathleen Sebelius told him in March that she was going to step down as the secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services after the health law’s first open enrollment period came to an end. Sebelius also spoke at the event Friday.
A Reader Asks: Do I Face A Penalty If My Kids’ CHIP Coverage Starts In April?
KHN’s consumer columnist says new federal guidance says as long as you applied during open enrollment you will not face a penalty.
Barriers Remain Despite Health Law’s Push To Expand Access To Substance Abuse Treatment
A decades-old Medicaid restriction prevents treatment centers with more than 16 beds from billing the program for residential services for low-income adults.
Early Drug Claims Suggest Exchange Plan Enrollees Are Sicker Than Average
But experts say it’s too early to draw conclusions about the impact on premiums.
Clients Save, Insurers Get Boost From Affordable Care Act
As enrollment continues for some, insurers like Independence Blue Cross in Pennsylvania are busy trying to show new customers how to use their policies.
Obama Administration Retreats On Private Medicare Rate Cuts
But insurers still contest the claim that rates will rise slightly after arriving at their own calculations of the originally proposed cuts.
Kit Bond Works Missouri Capitol’s Halls On Medicaid Expansion
The former governor has been meeting with legislators, some of whom weren’t born when he first came to Jefferson City as state auditor in 1970.
A Reader Asks: Does My Swedish Health Plan Meet ACA Requirements?
KHN’s consumer columnist reports that foreign insurance policies must meet HHS standards for “minimum essential coverage” to be considered a replacement for marketplace plans.
State Exchange Executives Face Tough Questions From House Subcommittee
For some states, like California, things have gone well. But the rollout in states like Maryland and Oregon has been rocky. Mary Agnes Carey and CQ Roll Call’s Emily Ethridge discuss what we’ve learned about why some did better than others.
Top Boston Hospital Begins To Tackle Readmissions Problem
One Boston hospital uses a Medicare fine, soul searching, and a plan for follow-up to reduce its alarming readmissions rate.
Co-op Health Insurance Plans See Early Success
Montana’s health insurance co-op is encouraged by its strong enrollment and plans to expand into Idaho next year. But some caution that it will be difficult for co-ops to grow beyond a niche player.
Obama: ‘The Affordable Care Act Is Here To Stay’
It a statement in the White House Rose Garden, the president Tuesday touted over 7 million sign-ups for health insurance on the health law’s marketplaces.
Community Health Centers May Provide Services For Those Who Remain Uninsured
People who chose to not enroll under the health law or could not afford coverage have limited options for care.
For A Family With Job-Based Insurance, Premium Subsidies Fall Far Short Of Promises
A Texas woman explains how her family’s hopes of help from the health law were dashed when they found out that they were not eligible.
