Affordable Care Act

Medicare Summary Notices Redesigned To Fight Fraud

Bryan Thompson — Wed, 12 Jun 2013 13:21:25 +0000

The Medicare Summary Notice senior citizens receive every month has been redesigned. The changes are meant to make it easier to spot fraudulent claims.

As part of the Affordable Care Act, or Obamacare, the federal government has devoted new resources to rooting out fraud, waste, and abuse in the Medicare program. The notice beneficiaries receive each month to explain their claims is being upgraded to make it easier to spot claims for services they never received.

A Review Of Medicaid In Missouri, Part 1: Eligibility Now And Under A Possible Expansion

Elana Gordon — Wed, 17 Apr 2013 23:57:01 +0000

Medicaid, the public health insurance program for low income and disabled residents, is no small chunk of change in Missouri. It comprises a huge portion of the state’s budget (more on that in Part 2). It also covers a lot of people: about one in ten residents.

So, to expand or not to expand Medicaid?

Medicaid Expansion Uncertain In Missouri

Elana Gordon — Tue, 09 Apr 2013 21:40:16 +0000

Last year’s Supreme Court ruling left a key part of the federal health law up to states to decide: whether to expand Medicaid. About half of states have said they’ll go along with an expansion. The rest are undecided or opposed. Leaders in Missouri are still divided on what to do. Missouri’s Governor supports an expansion but he faced one of his toughest crowds yet, when meeting with Senate leadership this week.

Health Tax Renewal Goes Before Voters Tuesday

Elana Gordon — Thu, 28 Mar 2013 06:23:03 +0000

Kansas City has long supported health services for people without insurance or a means to pay. This is primarily done through a health levy, or property tax, that brings in about $50 million annually. A portion of that tax will soon expire. Renewing it is now up for a popular vote this Tuesday. It’s Question 1 on the ballot. Despite all the contention around health policies and spending right now, there doesn’t appear to be much opposition to the local measure.

Enrollment Ends For High Risk Insurance Program In Missouri

Elana Gordon — Fri, 01 Mar 2013 09:00:45 +0000

Saturday marks the last chance for Missouri residents to enroll in the federal high risk insurance pool.

Missouri’s Health Exchange: A Story Of Unrequited Love

Elana Gordon — Fri, 15 Feb 2013 00:24:38 +0000

For more than a year, Secretary Kathleen Sebelius and others at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services have been courting states to take part in setting up and running a health insurance exchange. But Missouri, home of an enthusiastic governor and opposing legislature, keeps sending mixed messages. Now, with Friday’s deadline looming for states to commit to joining the feds in setting up an exchange, it appears as though HHS will be flying solo in the Show-Me state.

Area Businesses Challenge Federal Birth Control Mandate

Elana Gordon — Mon, 14 Jan 2013 17:38:54 +0000

A federal court is scheduled today, to take up one Missouri business’ challenge to a recently enacted provision of the federal health law. The provision requires that most employee-health plans include no-cost coverage of contraceptives, but the rule has faced backlash from several businesses and lawmakers around the region.

Looking For A Doc? Local Group Compiles Physician Data

Elana Gordon — Fri, 21 Dec 2012 23:24:42 +0000

Kansas City will soon know more about the quality of primary care in the region.

New Report Projects Costs, Enrollment Under Kansas Medicaid Expansion

Elana Gordon — Tue, 04 Dec 2012 19:48:21 +0000

An optional Medicaid expansion in Kansas would result in about 75,000 previously uninsured residents gaining health coverage and cost the state about half a billion dollars in the first seven years.

Missouri Governor Backs Medicaid Expansion

Elana Gordon — Thu, 29 Nov 2012 19:04:54 +0000

Missouri Governor Jay Nixon wants the state to expand its Medicaid program, marking the strongest stance the Democratic governor has taken as of yet on the state’s pending decision.

Coalition Emphasizes Economic Benefits Of Opting Into Medicaid Expansion

Elana Gordon — Thu, 29 Nov 2012 07:38:11 +0000

Expanding Medicaid to more adults in Missouri would have a positive impact on the state’s economy and residents, according to a new report.

Feds To Take Lead On Health Exchanges In Kansas, Missouri

Elana Gordon — Mon, 19 Nov 2012 17:21:22 +0000

Immediately after the presidential election, Missouri Governor Jay Nixon announced the state would not be setting up its own health insurance exchange.

Health Exchange At Heart Of Missouri’s Proposition E

Elana Gordon — Thu, 01 Nov 2012 17:58:38 +0000

Proposition E specifically asks voters:

Area Hospitals Soon To Be Penalized For High Readmissions Rates

Elana Gordon — Fri, 28 Sep 2012 17:32:11 +0000

Starting October 1, hospitals that fail to meet certain quality measures will get less funding from Medicare. Specifically, places that have worse-than-average readmission rates for certain medical conditions will receive lower reimbursements for services. Several area hospitals will be affected, including some that one might not expect. They’ve been keeping close watch on the upcoming changes, though many disagree with them.

Ballot Language For Health Measure Faces Legal Backlash

Elana Gordon — Tue, 10 Jul 2012 19:40:28 +0000

Wording of a health care measure that’s to appear on the Missouri ballot this fall is facing backlash from Lieutenant Governor Peter Kinder and fellow Republicans.