Letters To The Editor: Chronic Care Transitions, Proton Therapy, California’s Caregivers
Kaiser Health News gives readers a chance to respond, react and comment on our stories.
Cost and Quality
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Learning About Hospice Should Begin Long Before You Are Sick
With the growth of the hospice industry, consumers have a number of choices for end-of-life care. Here’s a primer to help be prepared.
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HHS Pledges To Quicken Pace Toward Quality-Based Medicare Payments
As part of their effort to improve quality while cutting costs, federal officials announced Monday that they want programs such as accountable care organizations and bundled care to account for 50 percent of traditional Medicare spending by the end of 2018.
By Jordan Rau -
Vice President Joe Biden Calls For Renewed Focus On Patient Safety
At an Irvine, Calif., conference, Vice President Joe Biden told hospital executives and other health care leaders that it’s time to "double down" on making patients safer in hospitals and reducing infections and readmissions.
By Anna Gorman -
Cleveland Hospitals Grapple With Readmission Fines
The Cleveland Clinic, serving mostly insured patients, sees its Medicare fines go down, while fines go up at the city’s hospitals in low-income neighborhoods. The National Quality Forum is beginning a trial to adjust the program for hospitals that serve more poor people.
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1,700 Hospitals Win Quality Bonuses From Medicare, But Most Will Never Collect
Penalties for readmissions and patient injuries erase bonuses hospitals earn for meeting stiff quality criteria. Fewer than 800 will end up with higher payments.
By Jordan Rau -
Tax Preparers Brace To Be Bearers Of Bad Health Law News
With Affordable Care Act open enrollment ending Feb. 15, taxpayers could find themselves shut out of health insurance – and saddled with big fines – if they don’t do their taxes early this year.
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HHS, Research Community Debate Informed Consent Policy
Supporters say the proposed changes would lead to clear and thorough explanations of the dangers studies involve, but some advocacy groups warn they could have a chilling effect on innovation.
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Nearly Half Of South Florida Hospitals Below CDC Standards On Infections
The ratings are part of a national effort to cut down on the most common infections patients contract in hospitals.
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Health-Law Test To Cut Readmissions Lacks Early Results
Results so far show community agencies haven’t made a big difference in keeping seniors from making return hospital trips. But administration officials say the program has plenty of potential.
By Jay Hancock -
Insuring Your Health
Most Marketplace Customers Have New Filing Requirements This Tax Season
The health law requires people to report their coverage situation. Those who get insurance through their jobs will only have to check a box on the usual return, but those without insurance or those who received subsidies will have to fill out new forms.
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Payment Disparities Puzzle, Intrigue Charlotte Health Execs
Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina says it decided to reveal how much it pays hospitals for particular procedures to help consumers hold down costs.
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Congress Seeks To Limit Transfers Between Social Security And Disability Funds
Supporters of the change say it would strengthen both funds but critics fear impact on poor and disabled.
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Rural Doctor Launches Startup To Ease Pain Of Dying Patients
Getting basic health care to rural areas has always been difficult, and delivering specialized care is even harder. One doctor is raising money to get palliative care to patients in rural California.
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Insuring Your Health
Many Insurers Do Not Cover Drugs Approved To Help People Lose Weight
Despite the increasing efforts to fight the obesity epidemic and the approval of four new weight-loss medications, Medicare and many private plans are reluctant to pay for the medicines because of serious safety problems with other drugs in the past.
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Lots Of Responsibility For In-Home Care Providers — But No Training Required
The lack of instruction even in CPR and first aid in California program puts clients at risk, according to experts, advocates and some caregivers.
By Anna Gorman -
As Caregiving Shifts To The Home, Scrutiny Is Lacking
California’s publicly funded in-home care program leaves elderly and disabled clients vulnerable to abuse and poor treatment, Kaiser Health News investigation finds.
By Anna Gorman -
Big Investments For ACA Innovation Lab, But Most Results Still Pending
Some 2.5 million patients are involved in federally funded tests to control costs and reduce injuries, but data on most programs still aren’t available.
By Jay Hancock -
Can I Keep My Marketplace Plan When I’m Enrolled In Medicare?
KHN’s consumer columnist answers a reader’s question about whether coverage from the health law’s online exchanges is compatible with Medicare and another question on Medicare drug coverage options when seniors move.
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