How vaccines reduced measles deaths in each state of the U.S. [Measles in the U.S. was almost eliminated with the vaccination programme starting in 1963] bit.ly/2DnXRaE

I'm guessing a lot of people don't know this: Medicare supplemental insurers can deny coverage for pre-existing conditions outside certain limited circumstances, such as soon after turning 65 and enrolling in Medicare. kff.org/medicare/issue…

If someone with a pre-existing wants to switch back to traditional Medicare from Medicare Advantage, they could be unable to buy private supplemental coverage. That makes enrolling in Medicare Advantage a one way street for many people.

🚨 New from KFF The #ACA's dependent coverage provision changed the coverage options available to young adults: In total, 1.2 million 25-year-olds are covered as dependents on employer plans, compared to 300,000 26-year-olds. kff.org/private-insura…

There's a lot going on these days including the Medicare open enrollment period that runs from October 15th - December 7th. Comparing Medicare coverage options is time consuming and definitely not fun but these decisions matter. Health needs change. So do plans. So here goes.

⏳Don't miss out on registering for our Oct. 31-Nov. 1 meeting! Tune in for an update on directed payments in #Medicaid managed care, a discussion on timely access to Medicaid #HCBS, a panel on multi-year continuous eligibility for children, and more. 👉 macpac-gov.zoom.us/webinar/regist…

Medicaid is nearing its 60th anniversary. Remarkably, KFF has been surveying state Medicaid programs about spending, enrollment, and policies for 24 of those years. Our latest survey is out today. kff.org/medicaid/repor…

12.5 million traditional Medicare beneficiaries had a Medigap policy in 2022. The average monthly premium among Medigap policyholders was $217 in 2023, or $2,604 for a full year of coverage. Premiums vary by state and by policy type. More key facts here: on.kff.org/3BV7nEA

👉 Remember: You have the right to find out why your health insurer denied your claim. We built a tool to help you: projects.propublica.org/claimfile/

90% of Medicare Advantage enrollees ages 65 and older, or 22.4 million people, live in a state where they could be denied a Medigap policy if they want to switch back to traditional Medicare and they have a pre-existing medical condition. on.kff.org/4eJZ0dz

New brief from Michelle Long and others KFF: what are copay accumulator programs, what's the debate, and what policies are being considered? kff.org/report-section…

Anderson Cooper From 2018 to 2025, unsubsidized ACA premiums will have grown by a whopping 3% over 7 years. That's an average of 𝒍𝒆𝒔𝒔 𝒕𝒉𝒂𝒏 𝒉𝒂𝒍𝒇 𝒂 𝒑𝒆𝒓𝒄𝒆𝒏𝒕 per year. Meanwhile, what people actually pay (net of subsidies) has 𝐟𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐞𝐧 by 27%

From Paragon Health Institute, getting rid of CSRs and giving people an HSA account contribution instead, would raise deductibles by thousands of dollars, even after netting out the HSA dollars. paragoninstitute.org/private-health…

A lot of people in rural areas rely on Medicaid. "Medicaid covered 50 percent of rural births in 2018, compared to 41.9 percent of urban births" aspe.hhs.gov/sites/default/…

I missed that the new Contingent Worker Survey is out!

Join us TODAY at 2 PM ET on the Benton Institute's Youtube page (youtube.com/watch?v=sScdWu…) and X account for a discussion about how states are meeting the digital technology needs of Veterans benton.org/event/veterans…

link to interactive version: graphics.wsj.com/infectious-dis…

trying 🟦sky if you are over there: @mattrae.bsky.social

For everyone thinking of joining that other social media site, I’ve compiled a few lists of #HealthPolicy experts, health reporters, and bloggers to connect with over there. Links on the next tweet …

Our new piece examines a CMS proposal that would change how ACA plans cover gender affirming care, likely making these services harder to access and/or more expensive. With Matthew Rae and Kaye Pestaina kff.org/private-insura…