Medicare

Prescription drug coverage is one benefit that drives up insurance costs, and one that is very popular with consumers.

GOP Plan To Trim Insurance Benefits Might Not Tame Premiums

5:00am April 21, 2017

by Julie Rovner

House Republicans are taking another stab at replacing the Affordable Care Act. But industry analysts say cutting required coverage won't meet their goal of lowering premiums for individual insurance.

Medical errors are a leading cause of death and injuries in U.S. hospitals, according to the Institute of Medicine.

Secret Data On Hospital Inspections May Soon Become Public

1:20pm April 18, 2017

by Charles Ornstein

The federal government wants to require that private accreditors release reports of problems they find during hospital inspections. Right now, the reports are kept confidential.

Though they failed to mobilize Congress to repeal the Affordable Care Act last month, Paul Ryan (R-Wis.) (right), Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) and the White House could still undercut the insurance exchanges, reduce Medicaid benefits and let states limit cov

Republicans Now Control Obamacare. Will Your Coverage Change?

8:23am April 10, 2017

by Jay Hancock

There are many ways beyond legislative repeal that the Trump administration and congressional Republicans could undo the Affordable Care Act — starting with sowing uncertainty about what's next.

UnitedHealth Group is one insurer offering Medicare Advantage plans, which cover about one third of people on Medicare.

Justice Department Joins Second Lawsuit Against UnitedHealth

2:00pm March 28, 2017

by Fred Schulte

At issue are alleged overpayments from the government to the the insurer UnitedHealth Group, which runs popular Medicare Advantage plans.

In 2015, Medicaid spending topped $552 billion nationwide. People who receive both Medicaid and Medicare and people with disabilities account for more than half of Medicaid spending.

Limits In GOP Plan Could Shrink Seniors' Long-Term Health Benefits

3:50pm March 22, 2017

by Stephanie O'Neill

Caps in the GOP health plan have huge implications for people over 65. In addition to helping low-income seniors with long-term care, Medicaid helps pay for some of their Medicare premiums and copays.

Rep. Elijah Cummings, D-Md., listens as Rep. Peter Welch, D-Vt., speaks to members of the media Wednesday outside the West Wing of the White House in Washington following their meeting with President Trump.

Trump, Democrats Look For Common Ground On Drug Prices

10:32pm March 08, 2017

by Sarah Jane Tribble

Two congressmen met with President Trump seeking support for a bill to expand the government's ability to negotiate drug prices. But it's not clear it would have much impact or will gain support.

Jason Early has been getting dialysis for the past 18 months after his kidneys failed following complications with Type 1 diabetes.

Texas Judge Upends Effort To Limit Charity Funding For Kidney Care

11:47am February 14, 2017

by Michelle Andrews

A federal judge issued a preliminary injunction barring the government from enforcing a rule allowing insurers to refuse to insure dialysis patients who get financial assistance from charity groups.

In 2014, the government said health providers would have to register with Medicare in order to prescribe drugs to beneficiaries. Delays have pushed back the requirement until 2019.

Health & Safety

How A Simple Fix For Medicare Prescribing Problems Got Complicated

9:30am February 10, 2017

by Charles Ornstein

In 2014, the government said health providers would have to register with Medicare in order to prescribe drugs to beneficiaries. Delays have pushed back the requirement until 2019.

Medicare accounts for about 29 percent of all spending on prescription medicines in the U.S. each year.

White House Says Medicare Should Leverage Its Buying Power To Pull Down Drug Prices

8:13pm February 07, 2017

by Alison Kodjak

A spokesman said Tuesday that President Trump does want Medicare to be able to directly negotiate prescription drug prices with drugmakers. Analysts disagree about how much difference that would make.

The federal government will develop a website with information on how Medicare therapy claims should be handled.

Plan Approved To Fix Misunderstandings On Medicare Therapy Coverage

11:09am February 03, 2017

by Susan Jaffe

Many seniors are denied coverage for rehabilitation because therapists mistakenly believe that patients must be improving to qualify. A new legal order seeks to clarify the standards.