Health Insurance and Medicare News & Features
- Will Telehealth Save Patients Money or Drive Up Costs?
April 5, 2023 — The real out-of-pocket costs are becoming clear, and it’s one mixed bag.
- UnitedHealthcare to Cut Prior Authorizations for Some Procedures
April 2, 2023 — The largest health insurer in the United States says it will no longer require lengthy paperwork, known as prior authorization, for many types of health care starting later this year.
- What’s Next After Judge Strikes Down Preventive Care Mandate?
March 31, 2023 — Health experts were researching exactly how many preventive services might be affected and said no changes would likely occur immediately.
- Hospitals Continue to Defy Federal Requirement to Publish Prices
January 20, 2023 — Most hospitals are not fully complying with a 2021 requirement to publish prices, a new analysis shows. The requirement was intended to increase transparency of health care costs and make it possible to shop around for the best prices of medical care.
- Even With Insurance, ERs Can Cost a Bundle
January 4, 2023 — Average out-of-pocket costs for emergency care surpass the savings of many patients. And the bills can be far higher than that, according to a Kaiser Family Foundation report.
- Minority Groups Increasingly Signing Up for Obamacare Health Insurance
October 26, 2022 — This past year, enrollment in marketplace insurance soared to record levels on HealthCare.gov. New government data now show the boost was driven by sign-ups among Black and Latino enrollees.
- Cost of Medicare Prescriptions Varies Widely From State to State
October 11, 2022 — A Medicare startup company says Medicare prescription costs vary widely from state to state – and sometimes even from one ZIP Code to another. That means that geographic location could cost some seniors with a chronic medical condition thousands of dollars a year.
- Doctor Bias May Prevent Care for Patients With Disabilities
October 10, 2022 — Many doctors report being ill-equipped to treat people with physical and cognitive disabilities, and some said they try to avoid doing so, a new study found.
- Medicare Part B Premium Dips on Alzheimer’s Drug Setback
September 28, 2022 — Medicare’s experience with the drug Aduhelm should serve as a wake-up call about both the rising drug costs and FDA’s standards for speeding clearance of medicines, an advocate and a researcher said.
- Americans Give Low Marks to U.S. Health Care System
September 13, 2022 — A majority of U.S. adults say the country’s health care system is not handled well, according to a new poll from The Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research.
- Walmart, UnitedHealth to Provide Seniors Preventive Care
September 8, 2022 — Walmart and UnitedHealth Group will launch a joint program to provide preventive healthcare for millions of people over 65
- What Will the Inflation Reduction Act Do for Your Healthcare?
For many Americans, the IRA could meaningfully improve their ability to afford the care they need. Here's a breakdown of what the bill does for Medicare beneficiaries, adults who purchase private insurance coverage, and Medicaid enrollees.
- Health Care, Prescription Drugs Included in Major Funding Bill
August 8, 2022 — The latest major legislation being supported by Democrats in Congress includes provisions for health care, prescription drug costs, climate change, and ways to cut the deficit.
- Health Insurance and Abortion
Here are answers to common questions on whether health insurance covers abortion.
- U.S. Uninsured Rate Drops to Record Low
August 3, 2022 — The number of Americans without health insurance coverage dropped to a record low of 8% this year, beating the prior low of 9% in 2016, according to a new report from the Department of Health and Human Services.
- Amazon Taking Another Leap Into American Health Care
July 22, 2022 — Membership-based One Medical offers its patients 24/7 access via virtual care as well as in-person services in 12 U.S. cities, including Atlanta, Boston, Chicago, and Los Angeles.
- Wegovy: When Insurance Won’t Cover Your Meds
Wegovy, a new obesity drug, works wonders, but patients struggle for insurance coverage.
- Can’t Find a Therapist Who Takes Insurance? Try This
If you’re hoping to use your insurance to help offset the cost of mental health treatment, here’s what you need to know.
- Calling Your Health Insurance Company? Don’t Say This
While dealing with your insurer can feel overwhelming – especially if you need to discuss an issue that’s complicated or confusing – you can make the communication go as smoothly as possible by following a few simple dos and don’ts.
- Getting Health Care in Prison
People in jails and prisons are entitled to health care, but it’s not always easy to access.
- How Your Income Affects Your Health
How healthy you are and how long you live depend a lot on how much you can afford to pay for health care.
- Rural Living Means Planning Ahead for Your Health Care
You’ll need to plan for health care if you live in a rural area.
- What Health Care Is Available if You’re Experiencing Homelessness?
If you currently don’t have reliable housing, you may want to know about health care for people who are experiencing homelessness.
- What to Know About Your Formulary Drug List
Understanding your health insurer's directory of covered drugs can save you money.
- How to Talk to Your Doctor About Drug Costs
Talking to your doctor about medication costs can save you money. Find out how your doctor can help.
- Shop Around to Save on Drug Prices
Learn ways to save money and find the best prices on prescription drugs and over-the-counter medication.
- Crowdfunding a Poor Safety Net for Medical Expenses
February 7, 2022 — Researchers have called for greater transparency around platforms such as GoFundMe.
- What You Need to Know About Health Insurance Before You Quit Your Job
Tempted to give your 2 weeks’ notice and join the “Great Resignation”? Here’s what you need to know about health insurance before you quit your job.
- How to Get Insurers to Pay for Treatments
Paying out of pocket even with health coverage? Experts explain how to get your insurer to pay more.
- When and How Much Medicaid Will Pay for Nursing Home Care
Nursing home care can be expensive. Learn about how much Medicaid pays, eligibility guidelines, and more.
- How to Protect Your Health Privacy
Step-by-step tips on how to keep your private health information protected.
- Long-Term Care Insurance: What to Know
Long-term care insurance is used for personal care needs. Learn more about what services a long-term care insurance plan may cover.
- How to Find Free or Low-Cost Dental Care for Seniors
Learn about saving money on dental care for senior adults, including how to find low-cost resources.
- How to Get Your Health Records
Learn about how to get your health records, including how to have a mistake fixed so your medical record is accurate.
- How to Contest a Medical Bill
Step-by-step tips on how to dispute your medical bill.
- How to Enroll or Make Changes in Medicare
What can you expect during the Medicare enrollment process? Learn how to make smart choices and avoid penalties.
- Finding the Best Medicare Plan for You
Ready to choose a Medicare plan? Get tips on how to make the best decision for you and your family.
- Medicare Parts A, B, C, and D Explained
How do the different parts of Medicare work, and what do they cover? Learn more about Medicare Parts A, B, C, and D, plus Medigap plans.
- Medicare Penalties You Should Know About
Learn about the penalties for enrolling late for Medicare coverage, penalty amounts, how to protest penalties, and appealing coverage decisions.
- What Is Medicare, and Who's Eligible for It?
Thinking about enrolling in Medicare? Here's what you need to know.
- How Private Is Your Health Data?
Who can get access to the health information you share in apps or online? Learn how to protect the privacy of your digital health data.
- Surprise Billing
Learn about surprise medical billing, why it happens, what you can do, how to prevent it, and the new law.
- How We Reported This Story
November 29, 2018 — WebMD and Georiga Health News used documents and data obtained through Open Records requests along with interview for its investigation on hospital EMTALA violations.
- Investigation: Lives Lost Amid ER Violations
November 29, 2018 — An investigation by WebMD and Georgia Health News finds that hospitals are breaking a law that requires them to provide emergency care to patients who need it, sometimes with deadly results.
- Your Rights in the Emergency Room
November 29, 2018 — A federal law guarantees a certain level of medical care to anyone who comes to an emergency department, including a proper screening exam to determine if a patient has a medical emergency.
- Pregnant Women Face Risk Despite Federal ER Law
November 29, 2018 — Pregnant women are among the groups of patients that may not get adequate care when they go to a hospital emergency room, in violation of a federal law created to protect them.
- Obamacare Creates 'Upheaval' At Free Clinics
August 4, 2014 — Obamacare Creates 'Upheaval' At Free Clinics
- WebMD Interviews President Obama
President Obama Interview Transcript
- How to Choose Vision Insurance
Advice on how to choose insurance coverage for vision.