We all need advance directives—living wills and health care proxies that enable us to identify a trusted friend or family member who can help ensure that our care wishes are honored if we cannot...
Diane Archer
Are commercial Medicaid and Medicare plans a good taxpayer...
How do we know whether commercial Medicare and Medicaid health plans are a good taxpayer investment? Chad Terhune reports for Kaiser Health News that one non-profit commercial Medicaid health plan...
Medicare covers array of medical equipment and supplies
In addition to covering medical and hospital services, Medicare covers an array of medical equipment and supplies. In order for Medicare to pay for medical equipment, you must need to use it inside...
Amazon plans to reform the marketplace for medical supplies
Amazon appears to be using its enormous power and reach to become a serious player in the multi-billion dollar health care marketplace. According to Bloomberg News, Amazon plans to reform the...
States focus on drug importation as way to rein in drug costs
Shefali Luthra reports for Kaiser Health News that states are looking at drug importation as a way to rein in prescription drug costs and encourage Congress to act to bring down drug prices...
Anthem penalizes patients who seek emergency room care
Your heart is racing, your head is spinning, you have excruciating stomach pain. Should you go to the emergency room? Even with health insurance, you may end up paying the entire cost of your ER...
Aetna under investigation for denying care without appropriate...
Several states are investigating Aetna, the nation’s third largest health insurance company, for denying care without appropriate review of medical records. CNN reports that a former Aetna medical...
To curb obesity, Chile makes it harder to buy junk...
To curb obesity, in 2016 Chile made it harder to buy junk food—psychologically, financially and practically, reports Andrew Jacobs for The New York Times. Chile has restricted advertising for some...
Budget deal lowers drug costs for people with Medicare
Congress’ budget deal lowers prescription drug costs for people with Medicare. Under the budget agreement, pharmaceutical companies must absorb more of the cost of prescription drugs for people...
Geriatric ERs: Better care, shorter stays
Emergency rooms can be dangerous places, particularly for older adults who are generally more vulnerable than working people. For that reason, AP reports on an emerging breed of ERs, designed to...