Recent Articles
BCBSIL and Advocate Health Care offer new Exclusive HMO Network Plan
Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Illinois (BCBSIL) is announcing a new HMO network product, offered in collaboration with Advocate Health Care. This exclusive-network HMO is offered both on and off exchange for individuals, families and small group customers. BlueCare...
BCBSIL to Discontinue Large PPO Network on Individual Plans in 2016
The broad and largest Blue PPO Network that was offered for 2014 and 2015 will not be offered for individual plans in 2016. In 2016, BCBSIL will expand the smaller Blue Choice Preferred PPOSM* Network, so that it will be an option in every county across the state....
BCBSIL Files 2016 Rates – What You Need to Know
Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Illinois (BCBSIL) recently filed its 2016 rates with the state. BCBSIL’s rate filings reflect our intention to offer an array of competitively priced products and services to our existing and potential retail customers on and off Get...
IRS Releases 2016 HSA Limits
On May 4, 2015, the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) released Revenue Procedure 2015-30 which details the inflation-adjusted amounts that impact qualified high deductible health plans and Health Savings Accounts (HSAs) for the 2016 calendar year, as outlined below:...
ObamaCare Mandate: Exemption and Tax Penalty
The ObamaCare Mandate and How You Can Qualify for an Exemption from the Tax “Penalty” ObamaCare Mandate: Those who choose not to purchase insurance will have to pay a tax “penalty” unless they qualify for an exemption. Exemptions from ObamaCare’s tax “penalty” mandate...
IRS Providing Limited Transitional Relief for Small Employers Currently Reimbursing Employees for Individual Health Insurance Premiums
The IRS on Wednesday released Notice 2015-17 addressing additional questions on employer payment plans and providing limited transitional relief for small employers who are currently reimbursing employees for individual health insurance premiums. The IRS offered...
Illinois approves BCBSIL’s request to increase “Grandfathered” and “Grandmothered” policy premiums
. Grandfathered Plans - individual plans written before 3/23/2010 Blue Cross Blue Shield of Illinois filed a 14.8% rate increase for all plans written before 3/23/2010 (aka "Grandfathered" Plans) that will go into effect as each individual's policy comes up for...
Clarification on Health Insurance Special Enrollment Periods
Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Illinois (BCBSIL) is providing additional clarification around the qualifying event of gaining/losing a dependent through birth/adoption/fostercare/placement for adoption, which triggers a Special Enrollment opportunity. The Special...
High Court narrows PPACA contraceptive mandate
June 30 (Bloomberg) -- The U.S. Supreme Court dealt a blow to President Barack Obama’s health-care law, ruling that closely held companies can refuse on religious grounds to offer birth- control coverage to their workers. Voting 5-4, the justices today said family-run...
CMS and HHS announced an extension for COBRA beneficiaries to enroll into Federal and State Exchanges up until July 1st.
Date: May 2, 2014 Subject: Special Enrollment Periods and Hardship Exemptions for Persons Meeting Certain Criteria This guidance provides information related to three types of special enrollment periods (SEPs) for persons seeking to enroll in qualified health plans...