The independent source for health policy research, polling, and news.
KFF’s policy research provides facts and analysis on a wide range of policy issues and public programs.
KFF designs, conducts and analyzes original public opinion and survey research on Americans’ attitudes, knowledge, and experiences with the health care system to help amplify the public’s voice in major national debates.
KFF Health News is a national newsroom that produces in-depth journalism about health issues and is one of the organization’s core operating programs.
More than half (55%) of eligible Medicare beneficiaries are enrolled in Medicare Advantage in 2026. To better understand trends in the growth of the Medicare Advantage program, this brief provides current information about enrollment, including by plan type and firm
There is some overlap in the enrollment periods for Medicare and the Marketplaces, but they are not the same. The Medicare Open Enrollment period runs from October 15 through December 7 each year. For Marketplace coverage in 2026, the open enrollment period will run from November 1, 2025 through January 15, 2026 in states that use the Healthcare.gov website; states that run their own marketplaces may have a longer open enrollment period for 2026. If…
Yes, you are eligible to purchase coverage through the Marketplace, and if your expected income is at least 100% of the federal poverty level in 2026 ($15,650 for an individual) you may qualify for premium tax credits to help make Marketplace coverage more affordable. If you live in a state that has expanded its Medicaid program to cover adults under age 65 with incomes up to 138% of poverty (about $1,800 per month for an…
In choosing among the many Medicare Advantage plans, it is useful to think about what’s most important to you in a health plan. If you feel strongly about getting care from specific doctors and hospitals, it would be a good idea to review the provider directories of each Medicare Advantage plan to be sure the hospitals, doctors, and other health professionals that matter most to you are in the plan network. If you are most…
Medicare Advantage enrollees were in a plan that included just under half (48%) of all physicians available to traditional Medicare beneficiaries in their area in 2022, on average. The limitations of provider networks illustrate one of the key tradeoffs for beneficiaries in choosing Medicare Advantage for their coverage.
This brief analyzes changes in the new tax and budget reconciliation law that modify which drugs will be selected for Medicare drug price negotiation, which will lead to higher Medicare spending and higher costs for beneficiaries who take these medications.
A new analysis shows that individuals with employer insurance could save 41% on their out-of-pocket spending for asthma and COPD inhalers through manufacturer savings. In response to a U.S. Senate investigation into inhaler costs, 3 drug makers voluntarily capped out-of-pocket costs on their brand-name asthma and COPD inhalers.
This brief describes current state fiscal conditions as states begin fiscal year 2027 budget debates and highlights key areas to watch for Medicaid policy changes as states respond to fiscal challenges and the 2025 reconciliation law.
If you are eligible for Medicare, your initial enrollment period for Part A and Part B begins three months before the month of your 65th birthday and ends three months after it. For example, if your 65th birthday is in June, your enrollment period will extend from March 1 through September 30. If you join during one of the 3 months before you turn 65, coverage will begin the first day of the month you…
If your current Medicare Advantage plan is not being offered next year and you do not choose another plan, you will be enrolled by default in traditional Medicare. In this case, if you do not receive Extra Help with your Part D drug costs, then you will need to select a Part D prescription drug plan (PDP) if you want Medicare drug coverage, unless you have drug coverage from another source of coverage (for example,…
© 2026 KFF