Recent Articles
Obama Signs Stopgap COBRA Subsidy Extension
President Obama Tuesday night signed into law legislation that provides a stopgap, 31-day extension of federal subsidies of COBRA health care premiums. The measure was approved earlier Tuesday by the Senate on a 78-19 vote, while the House cleared it last week. Under...
New jobs bill adds COBRA subsidy extension, expansion
COBRA health insurance premium subsidies would be extended and expanded under a new jobs bill being put together by Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nev. In its current version, the draft bill would extend the COBRA premium subsidy to involuntarily terminated...
Lake Forest Hospital Is Now a Subsidiary of Northwestern Memorial and still part of Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Illinois PPO Network
The acquisition of Lake Forest Hospital by Northwestern Memorial Health System was formally announced on Jan. 29, 2010. For the time being, the Northwestern Memorial Healthcare System parent company will have two separate subsidiaries: Northwestern Memorial Hospital...
New FMLA Regulations Expand Military Caregivers’ Coverage
The Family and Medical Leave Act of 1993 ("FMLA"), which applies to employer groups with 50 or more employees and all public agencies, has an indirect impact on health insurers and group health plans. FMLA requires employers to provide up to 12 weeks of unpaid leave...
Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Illinois Offers New Fitness Program to Support Members’ Wellness Efforts
Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Illinois (BCBSIL) is offering the Fitness Program as the newest value-added health and wellness option. The Fitness Program is an exclusive membership program that offers unlimited access to a nationwide network of fitness centers for a...
Moody’s Downgrades Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Illinois
From the Chicago Tribune Moody's Investors Service has downgraded the debt and financial-strength ratings of the parent of Chicago-based Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Illinois. Moody's Investors Service this week said Health Care Service Corp., the nation's...
Blue Cross Blue Shield of Illinois Now Offers Dental Insurance for Individuals and Families
For many years now many of my health insurance clients in Illinois have been asking for a dental insurance plan with Blue Cross Blue Shield of Illinois. Up until now, BCBSIL did not have dental insurance for families or individuals - just on the group insurance side....
Aetna’s Underwriting requirements regarding the last doctor’s visit
Aetna has recently clarified their underwriting requirements when a doctor's visit is needed in order to underwrite a new application. The doctor’s visit must be performed by a Medical Doctor (MD), Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine (DO), Nurse Practitioner/Certified...
COBRA subsidy program extended
President Obama has signed a bill that extends federal COBRA health insurance premium subsidies for the unemployed. The Senate, in a rare Saturday session, passed H.R. 3326 on an 88-10 vote. The measure—a military spending bill that the House passed earlier last...
Aetna Implements New Newborn/Adoption Policy
Effective November 16, 2009, Aetna implemented a new policy for dependent verification related to newborn/adopted child(children) for all Aetna Advantage Plans for Individuals, Families and Self-Employed nationwide. The new policy requires an attestation form...