Short-Term Health Plans Might Offer Some Relief But They Have Significant Gaps
These plans, which can last from a month to nearly a year, do not guarantee many of the benefits of regular health insurance.
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Michelle Andrews is a contributing writer and former columnist for Â鶹ŮÓÅ Health News. She has been writing about health care for more than 15 years. Her work has appeared frequently in The New York Times, where she wrote the Money and Medicine column and contributed regular news and features. Her work has also been published in Money, Fortune Small Business, National Geographic and Women’s Health magazines, among others. Michelle previously worked as a senior writer at U.S. News & World Report and at SmartMoney magazines. She has a bachelor’s degree from the University of Wisconsin and a master’s in journalism from Columbia University.
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These plans, which can last from a month to nearly a year, do not guarantee many of the benefits of regular health insurance.
A provision of the ACA that could be implemented as early as next year requires employers with more than 200 workers to sign up employees in one of the company's plans. Workers may opt out, however.
KHN's consumer columnist Michelle Andrews explains that if the insurance offered through an employer is considered affordable, you can't qualify for the health law's program to provide financial help to cover costs such as deductibles and co-payments.
What happens when hospice patients can keep getting life-extending treatment? Palliative care expert Diane Meier discusses the new program.
KHN consumer columnist Michelle Andrews points out various options through Medicaid, CHIP and the online insurance marketplaces.
The state is proposing that many people enrolled in the "private option" Medicaid expansion program contribute between $5 and $25 a month. Those who don't could face additional medical expenses.
KHN consumer columnist Michelle Andrews points out that standards for eligibility to buy a plan off the exchange is different than eligibility for subsidies.
Kaiser Health News' consumer columnist Michelle Andrews answers these questions.
KHN's consumer columnist Michelle Andrews answers this question.
Groups file complaint with federal officials saying four Florida insurers discriminated against people with HIV in setting up pricing structure for drugs, and another analysis finds that many silver plans place medications for costly diseases in highest formulary tier.
Advocates say the plans could expose consumers to unacceptably high out-of-pocket costs if they get sick.
KHN's consumer columnist says a 90-day delay is allowed by the health law, but employees have other options to get through that time.
That state has defined autism behavioral therapy as a type of medical benefit not subject to the mental health parity law, a move that allows insurers more latitude to limit the benefits they offer.
KHN's consumer columnist says the health law initially allowed some plans to do that, but that provision is no longer valid.
KHN's consumer columnist answers inquiries from readers.
KHN's consumer columnist explains that the health law's online marketplaces are not an option, but other private insurance may be.
In a few districts, doctors and hospitals are making their records available to school health officials to help provide better care for children with chronic conditions.
KHN's consumer columnist offers several suggestions to a mother worried about her adult child "aging off" the family's work-based insurance.
Federal law seeks to keep sexual assault victims from paying for forensic exams, but in some states they may have to cover tests and treatment for pregnancy or sexually transmitted infections.
KHN's consumer columnist notes that consumers can drop a plan from the online exchanges anytime, but there are some important factors to consider.
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