KHN’s ‘What the Health?’: Finally Fixing the ‘Family Glitch’
The Biden administration has decided to try to fix the so-called “family glitch” in the Affordable Care Act without an act of Congress. The provision has prevented workers’ families from getting subsidized coverage if an employer offer is unaffordable. Meanwhile, Medicare’s open enrollment period begins Oct. 15, and private Medicare Advantage plans are poised to cover more than half of Medicare’s 65 million enrollees. Margot Sanger-Katz of The New York Times, Joanne Kenen of the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health and Politico, and Rachel Cohrs of Stat join KHN’s Julie Rovner to discuss these topics and more. Plus, for extra credit, the panelists recommend their favorite health policy stories of the week they think you should read.
‘Worse Than People Can Imagine’: Medicaid ‘Unwinding’ Breeds Chaos in States
By Phil Galewitz and Katheryn Houghton and Samantha Liss and Bernard J. Wolfson
As Medicaid programs across the nation review enrollees’ status in the wake of the pandemic, patients struggle to navigate the upheaval.
The Time Has Come for DIY Mandates on Covid
By Bernard J. Wolfson
Yes, lots of us suffer from pandemic fatigue and have been getting sloppy about precautions in recent months. But with covid an ongoing menace — and governments reluctant to return to sweeping mandates — it’s time for all of us to step up our game.
Even Well-Intended Laws Can’t Protect Us From Inaccurate Provider Directories
By Bernard J. Wolfson
State and federal laws require health plans to offer accurate lists of participating doctors and facilities, but consumers still struggle to get timely appointments with providers.
No-Bid Medi-Cal Contract for Kaiser Permanente Is Now Law, but Key Details Are Missing
By Bernard J. Wolfson
Gov. Gavin Newsom signed a bill last month that authorizes a statewide Medi-Cal contract for HMO giant Kaiser Permanente. But details still need to be worked out in a memorandum of understanding.
J&J-Vaxxed, mRNA-Boosted, and Pondering a Third Shot
By Bernard J. Wolfson
Many of the nearly 17 million U.S. members of J&J Nation, myself included, are wondering whether to set aside the current official guidance and get a second booster. Some experts say: Chill out.
How a Former Catholic Priest Is Navigating a Medi-Cal Health Plan Through Big Changes
By Bernard J. Wolfson
Michael Hunn left the clergy and became a hospital and health system executive. He’s been named CEO of CalOptima, Orange County’s Medi-Cal health insurance plan for low-income residents, and his spiritual background is helping him guide the publicly run plan into the future.
Computer Glitches and Human Error Still Causing Insurance Headaches for Californians
By Bernard J. Wolfson
Covered California and Medi-Cal share a computer system for eligibility and enrollment. Nearly a decade since the Affordable Care Act expanded coverage options in the state, enrollees can be diverted to the wrong program — or dropped altogether — if erroneous information gets into the system.
Fallas informáticas y errores humanos en la cobertura de seguros siguen siendo un dolor de cabeza para los californianos
By Bernard J. Wolfson
Es cierto que pequeños cambios en los ingresos pueden hacer que la elegibilidad cambie, pero si se ingresa información incorrecta en un sistema informático compartido por Covered California y Medi-Cal, o se elimina información precisa, eso les puede causar grandes dolores de cabeza a los afiliados.
Vacunados con J&J, reforzados con ARNm, y pensando en la tercera dosis
By Bernard J. Wolfson
Cerca de 17 millones de personas que recibieron la vacuna de Johnson & Johnson contra covid se preguntan cuántas dosis necesitan.