The wire
News for families planning care
Updates on care costs, Medicare and Medicaid, and aging policy, gathered from sources we trust. Every headline links to the original publisher. We don't write the news, and nothing here is sponsored.
- KFF Health News · AgingResearch
When a Friend Becomes a Caregiver (opens KFF Health News · Aging in a new tab)
People outside the family frequently step into helping roles when older adults need assistance.
- KFF Health News · AgingResearch
What Geriatric Emergency Departments Do Differently (opens KFF Health News · Aging in a new tab)
These specialized units can help keep older patients out of the hospital, lower their healthcare costs, and more.
- KFF Health News · AgingResearch
Years After He Quit Smoking, a Lung Cancer Scan Saved His Life (opens KFF Health News · Aging in a new tab)
Lung cancer remains the leading cause of cancer deaths in the United States, and older adults are at higher risk. But only about a quarter of patients eligible for screening are up to date.
- KFF · Medicaid policyResearch
Five Key Facts About People Experiencing Homelessness (opens KFF · Medicaid policy in a new tab)
This data note reviews trends in homelessness and characteristics of people who are homeless using data from HUD’s Point-in-Time (PIT) count of sheltered and unsheltered people experiencing homelessness.
- KFF · Medicaid policyResearch
A Profile of Dual-Eligible Individuals (opens KFF · Medicaid policy in a new tab)
Approximately 12 million people are enrolled in both Medicare and Medicaid, referred to as dual-eligible individuals. This brief examines the demographic, socioeconomic, and health characteristics of dual-eligible individuals compared with Medicare beneficiaries without Medicaid.
- KFF · Medicaid policyResearch
Five Key Facts About Spending and Enrollment for People with Medicare and Medicaid (Dual-Eligible Individuals) (opens KFF · Medicaid policy in a new tab)
This issue brief analyzes provides a profile of enrollment and spending on dual-eligible individuals, drawing on new analysis of data on chronic conditions to show how higher rates of chronic conditions contribute to higher average spending among this population.
- KFF Health News · AgingResearch
Knee Pain? Ragged Cartilage? Research Suggests Surgery’s Not the Best Answer (opens KFF Health News · Aging in a new tab)
A Finnish study followed patients for 10 years after they had a popular knee surgery. For many, the pain continued or even worsened.
- KFF · Medicare policyResearch
Digital Health Tools and Technologies: An Overview of CMS’ Recent Efforts to Expand Their Use in Medicare (opens KFF · Medicare policy in a new tab)
As an increasing share of older adults have adopted digital health technologies over the past several years, and with most expressing interest in using them to manage their health care, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has introduced several initiatives to expand the use of dig…
- KFF Health News · AgingResearch
3 Medical Routines That Older People May Not Need (opens KFF Health News · Aging in a new tab)
Some screenings and treatments no longer make sense for patients as they age. Researchers have just added a few more to the list.