Latest KFF Health News Stories
‘Narrow Networks’ Trigger Push-Back From State Officials
Criticism of limited provider networks is emerging in at least a half a dozen states as consumers realize that their Affordable Care Act insurance may not include the physicians or hospitals they’ve been seeing.
Websites Step Up To Fill Federal Void
Several sites are helping consumers compare policies and figure out whether they are eligible for federal subsidies.
Administration Tests Fixes That Would Allow Insurers, Brokers To Enroll More Consumers
Changes that would allow the companies to enroll subsidy-eligible individuals are being tried in Texas, Ohio and Florida.
Because of the diversity of this immigrant population, experts say educational campaigns to raise awareness about the health law’s new coverage options must avoid a “one-size-fits-all” model.
Q&A: Sorting Out the Controversy Over Canceled Insurance Policies
Where do states stand on approving President Obama’s plan to allow insurers to extend canceled health insurance plans under the health law? Many are still wringing their hands over whether they should comply.
For Insurers, Obama’s Proposed Cancellation ‘Fix’ Changes Health Law Calculations
Wellpoint and other insurers face a new set of decisions as a result of the Obama administration’s proposed “fix,” which would allow them to renew individual plans that don’t include all the benefits required by the overhaul.
Covered California: Older Jump In First, But Officials Buoyed By Number Of Young Enrollees
More important than age, however, will be how healthy or unhealthy the enrollees are. Those who are sick are more motivated to sign up early, researchers said.
President’s Cancellation ‘Fix’ Likely To Affect A Limited Number Of Consumers
Many state regulators, insurers have yet to decide on whether to OK renewals of canceled policies.
‘Motor Voter’ Meets The Health Law
New insurance marketplaces around the country are weighing whether to offer voter registration to people signing up for health insurance. The issue could cause political and legal fights across the nation.
Doctors Complain They Will Be Paid Less By Exchange Plans
Some worry the lower rates will discourage physicians from participating, potentially making it more difficult for enrollees to get care.
In Pa., A Big Gap In Health Insurance Coverage
As many as 400,000 Pennsylvanians, most of them low-wage workers, will go without coverage next year because Pennsylvania officials have not opted to take federal money available under the health law to expand Medicaid.
Scott Walker’s Medicaid Maneuver
The Wisconsin governor, who may have presidential ambitions, wants to take people off BadgerCare and have them shop for subsidized coverage on healthcare.gov.
Grants Help States Combat High-Cost, Low-Quality Health Care
The Affordable Care Act offers state grants to reward doctors for quality health care.
Health Insurers Face An Uncertain Future
Insurers battle to increase profits while adapting to health law’s new constraints.
California Sends Incorrect Information To 246,000 Low-Income Patients
The state mistakenly told consumers in the “bridge to reform” program that they may have to switch doctors as they transition to Medicaid.
California Considers Its Options On Canceled Insurance Plans
The insurance commissioner and the health insurance industry lobby disagree over President Obama’s plan.
What Consumers Need To Know About The Obama Plan For Canceled Health Policies
Under the president’s plan, insurers will be permitted to extend this year’s policies into next year, but it’s far from clear that insurers will want to follow through. Some state regulators may not even let them.
Oregon Shines On Medicaid, As Texas Stalls On Sign-Ups
In Oregon, the online health marketplace isn’t working for people looking to buy individual policies. But the state has been rapidly expanding Medicaid anyway. In Texas, insurance helpers may face state regulations that would make it even harder to assist people seeking coverage.
Methodology: How Value Based Purchasing Payments Are Calculated
The Kaiser Health News story and data on Medicare’s quality payment programs are based on data from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) containing the Hospital Value-Based Purchasing and Readmissions Reduction Program adjustment factors for individual hospitals.
Nearly 1,500 Hospitals Penalized Under Medicare Program Rating Quality
The hospitals were rated on two-dozen measures, including surveys of patient satisfaction and death rates.
