Latest News + Info
The latest information relating to the health insurance industry.
News from the Blues
May 16, 2012 BCBSIL Introduces 2012 Prescription Drug Program Changes (2-150 and 151+ BluePrintSM) Beginning July 1, 2012 [Group Markets] As reported on April 4, Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Illinois (BCBSIL) is making enhancements to standardized plans for our 2-150...
Illinois awarded $32 million to develop health care exchange
The News-Gazette reports: "The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services has awarded Illinois nearly $32.8 million to continue getting ready to launch a major piece of the federal health care reform law. The money was granted to help develop the state's health care...
Health Insurance ‘Sherpa’: Agent or Broker?
Fox Business reports: "A health insurance agent or broker can save you time and money, whether you're an individual seeking coverage or a business owner shopping for the best medical plan for your employees. Licensed health insurance agents and brokers, known in the...
Four myths about ObamaCare that just won’t die
Standard Examiner reports: "Sometimes, writing about the health reform law means reading Friday afternoon press releases and combing through Health Affairs studies. But sometimes ... Death panels! Secret slush funds! Open warfare on the Catholic church! ... coverage...
U.S. sets deadline for proposals on state healthcare exchanges
Reuters reports: "WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The Obama administration forged ahead with healthcare reforms on Wednesday, announcing a November 16 deadline for state governments to submit proposals showing how they intend to operate health insurance exchanges in 2014. The...
Health care reform: GOP preps plan for ruling on law
Politico reports: "House Republican leaders are quietly hatching a plan of attack as they await a historic Supreme Court ruling on President Barack Obama’s health care law. If the law is upheld, Republicans will take to the floor to tear out its most controversial...
Quinn mulls executive order on insurance exchange
Northwest Herald reports: Illinois Gov. Pat Quinn may use an executive order to establish a health insurance exchange, a website where consumers could comparison shop for insurance that's a key piece of President Barack Obama's health care law, according to Quinn's...
General Assembly puts health exchange bill on back burner
Crains reports: "Democratic and Republican leaders in the Illinois General Assembly have agreed to shelve a bill that would establish an Illinois health insurance exchange amid uncertainty created by the constitutional challenge to the federal health care overhaul...
2013 HSA and FSA cheat sheet
BenefitsPro reports: "Health Savings Accounts What are they? HSAs are tax-advantaged medical savings accounts available to taxpayers who are enrolled in an HSA-qualified high-deductible health plan. The funds contributed to the account are not subject to federal...
The HR guide to Summary of Benefits and Coverage
BenefitsPro reports: "Enrollment season this year will bring an added compliance requirement for employers, which is intended to help plan enrollees know exactly what they’re getting out of their policy. Beginning on Sept. 23, 180 million Americans with private health...