Category: Medicare

KHN’s ‘What The Health?’: Trump Twists on Virus Response

President Donald Trump has, for now at least, become a realist on the extent of the COVID-19 crisis around the country, and he is urging Americans to socially distance and wear masks. Meanwhile, on Capitol Hill, Republicans facing a July 31 deadline are scrambling to come together on their version of the next COVID relief bill. Joanne Kenen of Politico, Margot Sanger-Katz of The New York Times and Tami Luhby of CNN join KHN’s Julie Rovner to discuss this and more. Also, Rovner interviews NPR’s Pam Fessler, author of the new book “Carville’s Cure,” which traces the history of the United States’ only federal leprosarium.

Another Problem on the Health Horizon: Medicare Is Running Out of Money

With millions out of work because of the coronavirus pandemic, fewer payroll taxes are coming in to help keep Medicare’s trust fund intact.

Comparing Private Payer and Medicare Payment Rates for Select Inpatient Hospital Services

This issue brief analyzes hospital payments paid by private payers and by Medicare for a selection of inpatient services, including services requiring similar inpatient treatments to those used for COVID-19. It finds that private insurance payments for…

What’s the Latest on Prescription Drug Proposals from the Trump Administration, Congress, and the Biden Campaign?

This slideshow explains the similarities and differences among major proposals to lower prescription drug costs introduced by the Trump Administration, members of Congress, and the Biden campaign.

Pandemic Forced Insurers To Pay For In-Home Treatments. Will They Disappear?

With stay-at-home orders in place, hospitals experimented with delivering many treatments to patients where they lived. They were a success. As society reopens, the return of old payment practices may prevent the adoption of this new, efficient model of care.

If You’ve Lost Your Health Plan In The COVID Crisis, You’ve Got Options

But some of those options, like special enrollment periods, are time-sensitive.

When A Doctor No Longer Accepts Medicare, Patients Left Holding The Bag

As doctors look for alternative ways to charge patients for care, some Medicare enrollees may lose access to their physicians.

Social Media Fears About Lack Of Coverage For Protest Injuries May Be Overblown

After some protests over the death of George Floyd resulted in violence, online discussions raised concerns that health plans might deny medical coverage. Although plans do sometimes make exclusions for “illegal acts” or riots, experts say concerns by people who are protesting Floyd’s death may be overstated.

Democratic Super PAC Uses Familiar Political Play To Hit Trump On Medicare

This is a tactic that we’ve seen before.

Democratic Super PAC Uses Familiar Political Play To Hit Trump On Medicare

This is a tactic that we’ve seen before.