Medicare Tightens Non-Emergency Use Of Ambulances To Combat Fraud
Advocates say many poor seniors who need dialysis and cancer treatments will have few transportation options.
All Coverage
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More Competition Helps Restrain Premiums In Federal Health Marketplace
In counties that are adding at least one insurer next year, average premiums for the least expensive silver plan are rising 1 percent on average, compared to 7 percent in counties where the number of insurers is not changing, KHN analysis finds.
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School District Pays For Health Care But Can’t Get Itemized Bill
Like most big employers, the Miami-Dade County Public School system is self-insured, but finding out just how much they are expected to pay for many health care procedures for employees is proving difficult.
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Nearly Half A Million Select Obamacare Plans Through Healthcare.gov In First Week
HHS says it will provide weekly and monthly snapshots of the signups in the 37 states relying on the federal exchange.
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Insuring Your Health
Turning 21? Here’s How To Avoid A Big Hike In Health Insurance Premiums
Coming of age can also mean a whopping 58 percent jump in the cost of your insurance.
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Administration Warns Employers: Don’t Dump Sick Workers From Plans
Paying high-risk employees to buy exchange plans is declared illegal.
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Insuring Your Health
Marketplaces Will Automatically Renew Consumers’ Plans, But Take A Look First
KHN’s consumer columnist answers questions about enrollment under the health law and cautions people not to just go with last year’s choice.
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Obama Officials Seek To Clarify Abortion Coverage Rules
In some states, insurance plans deviate from Congress’ health law compromise.
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HHS Formally Moves To Close Loophole Allowing Plans Without Hospital Benefits
The new proposed rule would bar such plans that had once qualified under a federal calculator.
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Alaska Doctors Overwhelmed By New Federal Rules
The new requirements for electronic medical records and other technological upgrades can be a heavy burden for Alaska’s small medical practices and aging physician workforce.
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Some Experts Dispute Claims Of Looming Doctor Shortage
Nurse practitioners and physician assistants can fill some primary care gaps, but specialists say an aging population will need more intensive care.
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Wall Street Is Bullish On 2015 Obamacare Enrollment
Analysts project that 11 million people will sign up in 2015 — and more will be younger and healthier.
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A Quarter Of Uninsured Say They Can’t Afford To Buy Coverage
Poll finds that the high cost was the biggest obstacle noted by Americans who lack insurance and don’t expect to buy it next year. About half of the uninsured hope to get coverage in 2015.
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Researchers Campaign Against Americans’ Sweet Tooth With Public Health Initiative
The Sugar Science webpage spells out dangers from average consumption of sugar, including increased risks of diabetes, heart disease and liver problems.
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Former HHS Official Calls For ‘Smarter’ Networks That Deliver Cost-Effective Care
Gary Cohen, a former deputy administrator for the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, says the challenge for regulators and insurers is to create networks that not only save money but also deliver better patient outcomes.
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Hospitals And Pharmacies Grapple With Rising Drug Prices
Spending on drugs by Ascension, a large Midwestern health care system, has increased $36 million in the last year — with two-thirds of that attributed to costlier generics.
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Seniors’ Obesity-Counseling Benefit Goes Largely Unused
Experts say low reimbursements and restrictions on providers have hampered the Medicare program.
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Costly Hepatitis C Treatments Help Drive 12 Percent Drug Spending Jump
Increases are expected to moderate as more brand-name drug patents expire and the impact of the liver disease treatments lessens.
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Study: American Seniors Face Health Care Gaps, Despite Medicare
The Commonwealth Fund finds cost barriers and limits on care for Medicare beneficiaries consistently places the U.S. low on the list of an 11-nation ranking of how older people fare in industrialized nations.
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Big Changes For 2015 Workplace Plans: Watch Out For These Six Possible Pitfalls
Consumers who get health insurance through their employers need to pay close attention this year to their enrollment materials.
