Category: Health Insurance

Obamacare’s Star Ratings Offer A Glimmer Of Insight ― But Not For All

Federal officials unveil new ratings for the Affordable Care Act’s marketplace plans. Missouri is one of eight states that has no plans earning at least three stars on a five-star scale.

‘Care cascades,’ or unwarranted tests, show hidden costs

Successive rounds of unnecessary testing can cause physical and psychological harm to patients and wastes an estimated $200 billion annually.

KHN’s ‘What The Health?’: Spooky Stuff

If it’s Halloween, that means open enrollment for plans on the Affordable Care Act exchanges is right around the corner. Prices are down this year, but the future of the health law remains in doubt due to a lawsuit seeking to have the entire measure thrown out. This week, Stephanie Armour of The Wall Street Journal, Mary Agnes Carey of Kaiser Health News and Alice Miranda Ollstein of Politico join KHN’s Julie Rovner to discuss these issues and more. Also this week, the panelists read the top entries in KHN’s Halloween Health Haiku Contest.

KHN’s ‘What The Health?’: Spooky Stuff

If it’s Halloween, that means open enrollment for plans on the Affordable Care Act exchanges is right around the corner. Prices are down this year, but the future of the health law remains in doubt due to a lawsuit seeking to have the entire measure thrown out. This week, Stephanie Armour of The Wall Street Journal, Mary Agnes Carey of Kaiser Health News and Alice Miranda Ollstein of Politico join KHN’s Julie Rovner to discuss these issues and more. Also this week, the panelists read the top entries in KHN’s Halloween Health Haiku Contest.

Telehealth laws, especially for behavioral health, are increasing access despite remaining legislative barriers

Adoption of telehealth for mental health services is increasing, highlighting the need for a more cohesive legal and regulatory framework.

CONNECT for Health Act gets provider, HIMSS support

The bill has bipartisan support to lift restrictions on Medicare coverage for telehealth.

Grief Grew Into A Mental Health Crisis And A $21,634 Hospital Bill

She spent five days in the hospital undergoing psychiatric care. The bill she got is about the same price as a new Honda Civic.

Racial inequities uncovered in hospital admissions for heart failure

Patients who self-identified as black were 9% less likely to be admitted to specialized cardiac care units.

CMS will pay $1.9 billion to hospitals in value-based payments for inpatient care

Over 55% of hospitals will receive higher Medicare payments under the Hospital Value-Based Purchasing Program.

CHS divests Virginia hospitals, sells to Bon Secours Mercy Health

In an ongoing effort to consolidate and reduce debt, CHS is exiting the state in a deal expected to close by year’s end.