Recent Articles
Assurant Health Paying for H1N1 Vaccine at Walgreens for Members
Assurant Health is paying for the administration fee for vaccinations received at any Walgreens pharmacy or Take Care Clinic (located in select Walgreens) where the vaccine is available. This means the fee for the vaccine is not subject to deductible, coinsurance, or...
UniCare Leaving the Illinois Insurance Market
UniCare announced yesterday that they will no longer be participating in the individual and group health insurance market in Illinois effective January 1, 2010. UniCare has collaborated with Blue Cross® and Blue Shield® of Illinois (BCBSIL) to ensure their group...
Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Illinois Mental Health Parity Act Legislation Effective October 3, 2009 for Group Plans
The Paul Wellstone and Pete Domenici Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act of 2008 becomes effective for benefit plans beginning on or after one year from the date the legislation was signed into law (October 3, 2008). All plans and products, including...
Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Illinois Introduces New Online Tool to Provide Cost Information for Most Common Medical Procedures
Because Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Illinois (BCBSIL) believes an educated consumer will make better health care decisions, they have announced an enhancement to our Hospital Comparison Tool. Named Care Comparison, this new component of the hospital transparency...
Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Illinois adding Individual Dental PPO Plan
Pending Illinois Department of Insurance approval, Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Illinois is planning to introduce the BlueCare Dental PPO plan to members with individual and family health plans. The BlueCare Dental PPO product will be offered as a rider to members...
Michelle’s Law to take effect October 9, 2009
House Bill 2851 (HR 2851), otherwise known as Michelle's Law, is a federal law that requires health plans and issuers of health insurance coverage to continue coverage for college students who are forced to take a leave of absence or change their enrollment status due...
Mercy Harvard Hospital to Join Aetna Network
Mercy Harvard Hospital will be joining the Aetna Chicago network effective October 1, 2009. Mercy Harvard Hospital is a 77 bed facility, that is located in Harvard Illinois. This addition will provide members additional choice and improve hospital access. The Mercy...
Several Practice Associations leaving Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Illinois HMO networks
The following Independent Practice Associations will no longer participate in the Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Illinois HMO Illinois and Blue Advantage HMO networks, effective Dec. 31, 2009: Ravenswood Medical (062) and satellite: Ravenswood Medical Group at Cicero...
Order of St. Francis Healthcare System joins Aetna Northern IL network
Aetna has announced that the Order of Saint Francis (OSF) Healthcare System will be joining the Aetna Northern IL network effective September 1, 2009. The OSF Healthcare System will be available to members enrolled in the following Aetna Advantage products: Aetna...
New Illinois State Continuation Law effective June 18, 2009
All Illinois group health insurance plans that are renewed or amended after June 18, 2009 are subject to the new Illinois state law governing state coverage continuation. The new law: Extends the length of state continuation coverage from 9 months to 12 months. This...