Post-Pandemic, Whatās a Phone Call From Your Physician Worth?
Medicare billing codes for audio-only follow-up check-ins lead to new reimbursement battles.
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New Health Plans Offer Twists on Existing Options, With a Dose of āBuyer Bewareā
Fueled by consumer frustration with high premiums and deductibles, two new offerings promise a means for consumers to take control of their health care costs. But experts say they pose risks.
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What Do We Really Know About Vaccine Effectiveness?
Reports of waning effectiveness and mixed messages about booster shots fuel the politicization of vaccination.
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Insurance Focused on Virtual Visits? The Pros and Cons of a New Twist in Health Plans
New, often lower-cost plans capitalize on the convenience of telemedicine ā and patientsā growing familiarity with it. But consumers should weigh costs and care options before enrolling in a āvirtual-firstā plan.
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Surprise-Billing Rule āPuts a Thumb on the Scaleā to Keep Arbitrated Costs in Check
Patients soon will not have to worry about the prospect of these often-costly unexpected bills, a federal law promises. Some experts say the new policy could also slow the growth of health insurance premiums.
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Biden Releases a New Plan to Combat Covid, but Experts Say Thereās Still a Ways to Go
Thereās agreement that the plan includes important action items but also elements that will trigger political opposition.
By Victoria Knight and Julie Appleby -
Census: Insured Population Holds Steady, With a Slight Shift From Private to Public Coverage
The Census Bureau on Tuesday released its 2020 findings regarding Americansā income, poverty and health insurance coverage.
By Victoria Knight and Julie Appleby -
Telehealthās Limits: Battle Over State Lines and Licensing Threatens Patientsā Options
Televisits took off during the worst days of the pandemic, but states are now rolling back the temporary rules that facilitated them. Thatās adding fuel to debates about statesā authority over medical licensing.
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If the Unvaccinated Want to Work, They Face a Series of Hurdles
As employers create safety protocols for workers who refuse vaccination, we ask experts if they really work. Or is the point to pressure employees into getting a shot?
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Diabetes Drugās New Weight Loss Formula Fuels Cost-Benefit Debate
Health plansā coverage of the medication, branded as Wegovy ā which has a $1,300-a-month price tag ā is not a sure thing.
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Facing Headwinds on New Alzheimerās Drug, Biogen Launches Controversial Campaign
The makers of Aduhelm, a drug approved last month despite concerns raised by experts about its effectiveness, have launched a website and ads designed to urge people who are worried about their memory to ask doctors about testing. But some health advocates say it is misleading because some memory loss with aging is normal.
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Hospital Prices Must Now Be Transparent. For Many Consumers, They’re Still Anyoneās Guess.
A Trump administration rule mandating that hospitals disclose true prices on their websites took effect this year. But compliance is spotty and even when the data is public, itās hard to find and understand.
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Doctors Tell How to Make the Most of Your Telehealth Visits
Public health restrictions put in place during the pandemic are loosening, meaning itās OK to go back to your doctorās office. But will virtual visits remain an option?
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Is Your Living Room the Future of Hospital Care?
In the latest sign that in-home acute care is catching on, two big players ā Kaiser Permanente and the Mayo Clinic ā announced plans to collectively invest $100 million into the company Medically Home to help scale up their programs.
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Despite All the Talk, Covid Vaccination Does Not Infect People With Shingles
Covid-19 vaccinations do not infect recipients with shingles or any form of herpes virus, despite some misleading headlines.
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Time to Say Goodbye to Some Insurersā Waivers for Covid Treatment Fees
Insurers voluntarily set the charges aside earlier in the pandemic ā but that means those same health plans can decide to reinstate them.
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Michiganās Outbreak Worries Scientists. Will Conservative Outposts Keep Pandemic Rolling?
The covid outbreak in Michigan stands out on the U.S. contagion map, but odds are it will be repeated elsewhere. How vaccine hesitancy, relaxed restrictions and a coronavirus variant combined to create the worst outbreak in the country.
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After Accident, Patient Crashes Into $700,000 Bill for Spine Surgery
Generous personal injury coverage on your car policy may not be enough to cover medical bills. Patients can get financially blindsided when auto insurance and health insurance policies differ.
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In His Continued Sparring With Fauci, Sen. Rand Paul Oversimplified the Science
The Kentucky lawmaker was right that a recent study offered evidence that vaccination and previous infection appear to neutralize covid-19. But experts say that doesnāt mean people should be complacent.
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āExplained by KHNā: Consumer Concerns About the Covid Vaccines
Our newsroom has some of the best and smartest health care and health policy reporters in the business. Weāve created a new video series ā āExplained by KHNā ā in which our correspondents and editors answer common health care and policy questions. In this edition we cover consumer concerns over the covid-19 vaccines.
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