Fred Schulte, Kaiser Health News

Author's posts

Your Money or Your Life: Patient on $50,000-a-Week Cancer Drug Fears Leaving Behind Huge Medical Debt

When Medicare stops paying for a pricey drug that prolongs life, an Ohio man considers giving up treatment to spare his family enormous debt.

Government Lets Health Plans That Ripped Off Medicare Keep the Money

In a surprise decision, U.S. officials yield to insurance industry demands — at least for now.

Did Your Health Plan Rip Off Medicare?

KHN has released never-before-seen details of federal audits as the government weighs action against dozens of Medicare Advantage plans.

Sick Profit: Investigating Private Equity’s Stealthy Takeover of Health Care Across Cities and Specialties

Private equity firms have shelled out almost $1 trillion to acquire nearly 8,000 health care businesses, in deals almost always hidden from federal regulators. The result: higher prices, lawsuits, and complaints about care.

Lawsuit by KHN Prompts Government to Release Medicare Advantage Audits

The lawsuit was filed three years ago to learn about vast overcharges by the popular health plans that are detailed in audits the government refused to release to the public.

Government Watchdogs Attack Medicare Advantage for Denying Care and Overcharging

The Government Accountability Office and the Health and Human Services inspector general’s office say seniors enrolled in the program are suffering and taxpayers are getting bilked for billions of dollars a year.

Government Watchdogs Attack Medicare Advantage for Denying Care and Overcharging

The Government Accountability Office and the Health and Human Services inspector general’s office say seniors enrolled in the program are suffering and taxpayers are getting bilked for billions of dollars a year.

AARP’s Billion-Dollar Bounty

With its latest venture into primary care clinics, is America’s leading organization for seniors selling its trusted seal of approval?

Federal Investigation Into Spine Surgeries Uses Mob Laws to Target Health Care Fraud

Investigators allege a Texas company that arranges spine surgery and other medical care for people injured in car crashes accepted bribes in violation of 1960s-era racketeering law.

Crash Course: Injured Patients Who Sign ‘Letters of Protection’ May Face Huge Medical Bills and Risks

The letters function as liens that “protect” spine surgery clinics while patients could be left with inflated medical bills and unexpected health risks.