It May Be Time To Waive Patients’ Costs for Coronavirus Treatment
Drew Altman looks at the numbers for COVID-19 treatment, and why it may soon be necessary for Congress to waive out-of-pocket costs for treatment.
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Private Health Coverage of COVID-19: Key Facts and Issues
Issue BriefNew federal legislation will require most private health plans to cover testing for the coronavirus with no cost sharing. Some states have adopted similar requirements for insurers they regulate, and many private insurance companies will voluntarily expand coverage for testing. However, some private coverage will not be subject to these requirements. To date, fewer changes have been adopted or considered with respect to treatment for complications from the disease. This brief reviews current coverage standards for private health plans and how these may change in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
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Data Note: Public Worries About And Experience With Surprise Medical Bills
FeatureThis data note captures February 2020 poll findings on the public's worries about and experiences with unexpected and surprise medical bills.
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A Polling Surprise? Americans Rank Unexpected Medical Bills at the Top of Family Budget Worries
News ReleaseWhen it comes to family budget concerns, unexpected medical bills top Americans’ list of worries, with two-thirds (65%) of the public saying they are at least somewhat worried, including 35% who say they are “very” worried, the latest KFF Health Tracking Poll finds.
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JAMA Forum: Don’t Be Surprised if the Next Big Health Care Debate Is About Drug Prices
PerspectiveIn this post for The JAMA Forum, Larry Levitt examines both the Democratic candidates' proposals and the Trump administration's record on lowering drug prices, which remains a top issue for the public with bi-partisan support.
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Surprise Bills Vary by Diagnosis and Type of Admission
Issue BriefA new issue brief looks at the prevalence of potential surprise medical bills based on patient diagnosis, emergency visits, and type of inpatient admission.
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Surprise Bills Often Hit in Emergencies
From Drew AltmanIn an Axios column, Drew Altman previews new data highlighting that people with critical health issues are especially vulnerable to these bills.
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Millions of Medicare Part D Enrollees Face Increases in Premiums and Other Costs in 2020 if They Do Not Switch Plans During Open Enrollment
News ReleaseMillions of current enrollees in stand-alone Medicare Part D prescription drug plans will face premium and other cost increases next year unless they switch to lower-cost plans during the open enrollment period that began Oct. 15 and ends on Dec. 7, a new KFF analysis finds.
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Medicare Part D: A First Look at Prescription Drug Plans in 2020
Issue BriefThis issue brief provides an overview of the Medicare Part D prescription drug benefit plan landscape for 2020, with a focus on stand-alone drug plans, the largest segment of the Part D market. It includes national and state-level data on plan availability, premiums, benefit design, cost sharing, information about premium-free plans for low-income beneficiaries, and information about the national Part D plans available in 2020.
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Medicare Beneficiaries Spent an Average of $5,460 Out-of-Pocket for Health Care in 2016, With Some Groups Spending Substantially More
News ReleaseThe average person with traditional Medicare coverage paid $5,460 out of their own pocket for health care in 2016, according to a new KFF analysis and interactive tool. This $5,460 includes about $1,000 in out-of-pocket spending for long-term care facility services, averaged across all traditional Medicare beneficiaries.