Category: Health Care Costs

Is New App From Feds Your Answer To Navigating Medicare Coverage? Yes And No

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services launched this month the “What’s Covered” app, designed to provide yes-or-no answers about what services are covered under traditional Medicare. KHN took it for a test drive with real consumers.

Podcast: KHN’s ‘What The Health?’ How Safe Are Your Supplements?

Alice Ollstein of Politico, Kimberly Leonard of the Washington Examiner and Anna Edney of Bloomberg News join KHN’s Julie Rovner to discuss the latest national health spending estimates, another FDA crackdown on dietary supplements and lawsuits between insurers and the federal government that could result in a windfall for consumers.

Trump Plan To Beat HIV Hits Rough Road In Rural America

Health officials and doctors treating patients with HIV welcome the funding push, but warn that the strategies that work in progressive cities don’t necessarily translate to rural areas.

The High Cost Of Sex: Insurers Often Don’t Pay For Drugs To Treat Problems

Medicare and many private insurers view prescribing drugs to improve sexual function as a lifestyle issue that’s not medically necessary to pay for.

Must-Reads Of The Week From Brianna Labuskes

Newsletter editor Brianna Labuskes wades through hundreds of health articles from the week so you don’t have to.

Podcast: KHN’s ‘What The Health?’ “Medicare-For-All” For Dummies

The “Medicare–for-all” debate is already in full swing, but what does that phrase even mean? Joanne Kenen of Politico, Paige Winfield Cunningham of The Washington Post and Rebecca Adams of CQ Roll Call join KHN’s Julie Rovner for a beginner’s guide to the next big health policy debate. For “extra credit,” the panelists provide their favorite health policy stories of the week, and as a special Valentine’s Day bonus, their favorite #HealthPolicyValentines.

Can California Beat The Federal Government In Lowering Drug Prices?

Unwilling to wait for federal action, California Gov. Gavin Newsom says he has a plan that could extract discounts from drugmakers and save the state money — one he hopes other states can join.

Texans Can Appeal Surprise Medical Bills, But The Process Can Be Draining

In Texas, many people have a right to mediation of medical bills. But the concept can be off-putting, and patients often think they need a lawyer, which isn’t the case.

Texans Can Appeal Surprise Medical Bills, But The Process Can Be Draining

In Texas, many people have a right to mediation of medical bills. But the concept can be off-putting, and patients often think they need a lawyer, which isn’t the case.

False Lead: Senator’s Offer To Help Patient Import Cheap Insulin Goes Nowhere

Sen. Mike Enzi said he knew of a foundation that would import insulin for patients, but it doesn’t appear to exist.