Medicaid

Signups Exceed Expectations For Montana's Medicaid Expansion

11:00am March 23, 2016

by Eric Whitney

Almost twice as many people as expected have signed up for Medicaid, and it has saved Montana $3 million so far, according to a progress report. But the program still has critics.

Repeatedly waiting to start dialysis until a patient is having an emergency can lead to serious, long-term health problems.

Medicaid Rules Can Thwart Immigrants Who Need Dialysis

1:46pm March 08, 2016

by Jake Harper

About 5,500 immigrants who entered the U.S. illegally need dialysis. The publicly funded insurance they're eligible to receive only covers the treatment when it's urgently required.

Blue skies in San Juan, Puerto Rico belie the U.S. territory's struggle with massive debt. The islands have a generous health care program that covers nearly everyone, but economists say it has never been adequately funded.

Puerto Rico's Growing Financial Crisis Threatens Health Care, Too

5:01pm March 03, 2016

Unless Congress and the White House can agree on a funding fix for Medicaid in the U.S. territory, many worry that Puerto Rico's health care system could collapse when stopgap funding ends next year.

If only I could make it over to the next mesa.

In Texas, Uneven Expansion Of Obamacare Sows Frustration

3:40pm February 29, 2016

by Lauren Silverman

Despite the rollout of the Affordable Care Act, Texas still has 6 million uninsured people, low Medicaid reimbursement rates and narrow choices of doctors and hospitals for many who are insured.

Few States Use Health Law Option For Low-Cost Plans

1:50pm February 02, 2016

by Michelle Andrews

New York and Minnesota are offering an inexpensive insurance alternative allowed under the federal health law that provides some low-income people with more affordable coverage.

Skimping on health insurance carries a hidden price for some fast-food restaurants.

Health & Safety

Bosses Find Part-Time Workers Can Come With Full-Time Headaches

1:38am February 02, 2016

by April Dembosky

Some fast-food franchisees are rethinking putting workers on part-time status to avoid having to provide them with health insurance. The business hassles are exceeding the savings.

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Gilead Sciences' new drug Sovaldi effectively cures hepatitis C, but the price is straining state budgets.

California Pays Insurers Millions More For Hepatitis C Drugs

3:10pm January 28, 2016

by Pauline Bartolone

Private insurers billed California $387.5 million to treat just 3,624 patients with new medications for hepatitis C. The people are covered by the state's Medicaid program.

A pharmacist counts pain pills. In an effort to curb the abuse of Oxycontin, Vicodin and other opioid painkillers, some health plans in Massachusetts now limit a patient's initial prescription to a 15-day supply, and plan to halve that number in February.

Insurers Hire Social Workers To Tackle The Opioid Epidemic

6:33pm January 25, 2016

by Deborah Becker

Some health plans in Massachusetts are putting tighter limits on painkiller prescriptions. Others are hiring their own social workers to help customers who struggle with opioid abuse quit for good.

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Health & Safety

Medicaid Overhaul Head Claims Work Is On Track

7:32pm January 12, 2016

by Associated Press and Michael Burke

Medicaid in North Carolina is now being overhauled. The director of a new agency charged with that task says the work is on schedule.

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Kentucky Gov. Matt Bevin is following through on a promise he made to drop the state-run health insurance exchange in favor of the federal HealthCare.gov.

Kentucky Governor Tells Feds He Will Dismantle State's Insurance Exchange

6:48pm January 12, 2016

by Ryland Barton

Republican Gov. Matt Bevin follows through on a campaign promise to end Kynect, the state's health plan marketplace. He also said he will change the state's approach to Medicaid.

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