Population Health
Men are getting more screening colonoscopies since the health law reduced how much Medicare beneficiaries pay out of pocket for the preventive tests, a recent study found. The change, however, didn't affect women's rates.
Close to 6 million people selected plans through Healthcare.gov, a marked increase over last year when an estimated 3.4 million signed up, according to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. That includes a notable uptick in enrollment for those under 35.
WellCare Health Plans, Inc., a managed care service provider for government-sponsored healthcare programs, is enhancing their Medicaid benefits in Kentucky by offering several new programs aimed at preventative health, the company announced through a statement. The new benefits take effect January 1, 2016.
Hospitals in Pennsylvania have saved close to $700 million in last few years by cutting down on readmission rates and preventing unnecessary hospitalizations, according to the Pennsylvania Health Care Cost Containment Council.
Despite advice to shop around before selecting a plan, consumers may find that getting answers about drug coverage can be an exercise in frustration, despite a federal health law requirement that insurers provide lists of the prescription medications included in their plans.
The group ColoradoCareYES gathered enough signatures -- more than 100,000 -- to put a single-payer health system on the ballot next fall.
Thursday's announcement by Kaiser Permanente that it plans to open its own medical school in Southern California has attracted a lot of attention in the healthcare community.
One in six Massachusetts residents avoided obtaining health coverage in 2015 due to the cost, according to a survey from the state's Center for Health Information and Analysis.
After the last of the baby boomers become fully eligible for Medicare, the federal health program can expect significantly higher costs in 2030 both because of the high number of beneficiaries and because many are expected to be significantly less healthy than previous generations.
Since Nov. 1, more than four million have selected plans.