Recent Articles
U.S. Government announces 2009 Medicare drug plan premiums
Seniors enrolled in Medicare's drug benefit will pay average monthly premiums of $28 next year, government officials announced today. That’s about $3 higher than the 2008 average premium, or a 12 percent increase. "Average plan bids have increased at roughly the same...
Aetna Helps Medicare Members Organize Medical Information and Monitor Health with CareEngine-Powered Personal Health Record
HARTFORD, Conn. - September 3, 2008. - Aetna announced today that it has made its CareEngine-powered Personal Health Record (PHR) available to current Aetna Medicare members who purchased their Medicare plans individually. This unique, interactive tool is designed to...
Blue Cross Blue Shield of Illinois loses contract with Wal-Mart
Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Illinois, the state's largest health insurer, soon will no longer administer claims and provide customer service to employees of Wal-Mart Stores Inc., the world's largest retailer, losing the business to another Blue Cross plan in...
Resurrection Healthcare joins the Aetna Medicare network in Illinois
Aetna Medicare is happy to announce the addition of Resurrection Healthcare to our Aetna Golden Medicare (HMO) and Aetna Golden Choice (PPO) network! Resurrection Healthcare operates nine hospital facilities throughout the city of Chicago and suburban Cook County. The...
Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Illinois Announces Its Intent Not to Pay for Additional Costs Resulting From ‘Never Events’
CHICAGO, Aug. 11 -- Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Illinois (BCBSIL) announced today its intent not to pay for costs resulting from hospital-based preventable medical errors known as "serious hospital acquired conditions" and "never events" (errors in patient care that...
IRS releases 2009 maximum health savings account contributions
The Treasury Department and Internal Revenue Service recently released 2009 guidelines for maximum contribution levels for Health Savings Accounts (HSAs) and out-of-pocket spending limits for high deductible health plans (HDHPs) that must be used in conjunction with...
Assurant Health Introducing TelaDoc: 24/7/365 Physician Access
The Assurant Health MaxPlan, CoreMed, and OneDeductible now include TelaDoc, a service that offers physician access—24 hours a day, 7 days a week, and 365 days a year. When members need non-emergency medical care, they can call TelaDoc from anywhere and let the doctor...
Evanston Northwestern, Rush North Shore finalize merger
North suburban hospital operator Evanston Northwestern Healthcare said it will acquire Rush North Shore Medical Center in Skokie, committing more than $160 million to the deal, according to a definitive agreement finalized today. As part of the deal, which still needs...
Blue Cross Blue Shield of Illinois reducing EOB mailings
Effective July 13, 2008, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Illinois will no longer print and mail Explanation of Benefits (EOBs) that relate to all patient share zero liability claims. Zero liability claims are those claims that are covered and paid for by Blue Cross and Blue...
Blue Cross Blue Shield Companies report Wellness Programs have Financial, Health Benefits
(BestWire Services Via Acquire Media NewsEdge) An increasing number of employers are participating in employee health and wellness programs in a bid to reduce health care costs due to chronic illnesses, officials from Blue Cross Blue Shield companies and the National...