HMO, PPO, EPO: How’s A Consumer To Know What Health Plan Is Best?
The alphabet soup that distinguishes different types of insurance plans is supposed to help guide consumers, but instead the choices are becoming very confusing.
Michelle Andrews
Michelle Andrews is a contributing writer and former columnist for 51ÊÓƵ Health News. She has been writing about health care for more than 15 years. Her work has appeared frequently in The New York Times, where she wrote the Money and Medicine column and contributed regular news and features. Her work has also been published in Money, Fortune Small Business, National Geographic and Women’s Health magazines, among others. Michelle previously worked as a senior writer at U.S. News & World Report and at SmartMoney magazines. She has a bachelor’s degree from the University of Wisconsin and a master’s in journalism from Columbia University.
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Government Streamlining Medicare Coverage For Cancer Test
FDA and Medicare officials conduct a parallel review of a new screening test for colorectal cancer and that could bring the test to beneficiaries six months faster.
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Must A Divorced Dad Cover Adult Kids; Will Medicare Pay For Infusion Therapy
KHN's consumer columnist Michelle Andrews explores a divorced mother's efforts to get her ex-husband to keep their sons on his plan, one senior's problems getting Medicare to cover his antibiotic infusion at home and what earnings one reader will have to count when applying for premium subsidies.
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Short-Term Health Plans Might Offer Some Relief But They Have Significant Gaps
These plans, which can last from a month to nearly a year, do not guarantee many of the benefits of regular health insurance.
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Health Law Calls For Some Workers To Be Automatically Enrolled In Coverage
A provision of the ACA that could be implemented as early as next year requires employers with more than 200 workers to sign up employees in one of the company's plans. Workers may opt out, however.
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A Reader Asks: With Job-Based Coverage, Can I Still Qualify For Cost-Sharing Subsidies
KHN's consumer columnist Michelle Andrews explains that if the insurance offered through an employer is considered affordable, you can't qualify for the health law's program to provide financial help to cover costs such as deductibles and co-payments.
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Medicare Experiment Could Signal Sea Change For Hospice
What happens when hospice patients can keep getting life-extending treatment? Palliative care expert Diane Meier discusses the new program.
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A Reader Asks: How Can I Get Health Coverage For My Grandchildren?
KHN consumer columnist Michelle Andrews points out various options through Medicaid, CHIP and the online insurance marketplaces.
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Arkansas Weighs Plan To Make Some Medicaid Enrollees Fund Savings Accounts
The state is proposing that many people enrolled in the "private option" Medicaid expansion program contribute between $5 and $25 a month. Those who don't could face additional medical expenses.
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A Reader Asks: If You Have A Job-Based Plan, Can You Buy On The Marketplace?
KHN consumer columnist Michelle Andrews points out that standards for eligibility to buy a plan off the exchange is different than eligibility for subsidies.
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Readers Ask About Contraceptive Coverage And Medicare Enrollment
Kaiser Health News' consumer columnist Michelle Andrews answers these questions.
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A Reader Asks: Does Selling Your House Affect Eligibility For Assisted Living?
KHN's consumer columnist Michelle Andrews answers this question.
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Some Plans Skew Drug Benefits To Drive Away Patients, Advocates Warn
Groups file complaint with federal officials saying four Florida insurers discriminated against people with HIV in setting up pricing structure for drugs, and another analysis finds that many silver plans place medications for costly diseases in highest 51ÊÓƵry tier.
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Proposal To Add Skimpier ‘Copper’ Plans To Marketplace Raises Concerns
Advocates say the plans could expose consumers to unacceptably high out-of-pocket costs if they get sick.
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A Reader Asks: Can New Employees Be Forced To Wait 90 Days For Coverage?
KHN's consumer columnist says a 90-day delay is allowed by the health law, but employees have other options to get through that time.
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Advocates Worry Conn. Decision Could Undermine Autism Coverage
That state has defined autism behavioral therapy as a type of medical benefit not subject to the mental health parity law, a move that allows insurers more latitude to limit the benefits they offer.
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A Reader Asks: Can Our Plan Kick Off Our Daughter Because Her Job Offers Coverage?
KHN's consumer columnist says the health law initially allowed some plans to do that, but that provision is no longer valid.
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Readers Ask: Are Insurance Premiums Capped? Do Doctors Have To Accept Medicare?
KHN's consumer columnist answers inquiries from readers.
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A Reader Asks: As An Immigrant In The U.S. Illegally, Can I Buy Insurance?
KHN's consumer columnist explains that the health law's online marketplaces are not an option, but other private insurance may be.
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School Nurses’ Role Expands With Access To Students’ Online Health Records
In a few districts, doctors and hospitals are making their records available to school health officials to help provide better care for children with chronic conditions.
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