Recent Articles
2010 Small Business Health Insurance Tax Credits
The IRS recently released materials for those wishing to claim the small business health care tax credit for 2010. A provision of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA), this tax credit is designed to encourage small groups to offer health care...
Health Care Reform – Frequently Asked Questions
The new health reform law is the most far-reaching health legislation since the creation of the Medicare and Medicaid programs. The following is a look at the impact of the law, which will extend insurance coverage to 32 million additional Americans by 2019, but which...
BCBSIL BlueCare Dental Offers Largest Network of Access Points
BlueCare Dental provides members with access to the nation’s largest dental care network of access points, with more than 152,000 nationwide.* With so many access points, BlueCare Dental members have great flexibility to see a dentist and use their BlueCare Dental...
Senate OKs The Reconciliation Act – H.R. 4872
Members of the Senate have just voted 56-43 to pass H.R. 4872, the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act “fixer bill,” and the House is getting ready to re-vote on the bill. Sen. Johnny Isakson, R-Ga., did not vote. All other Republicans voted against the bill....
House Passes Health Care Bill H.R. 3590
nsurance and employer groups are talking about the lack of cost control provisions in H.R. 3590, the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act bill, which passed by a 219-212 vote at 10:48 p.m. Sunday in the House. H.R. 3590 is the same bill that the Senate passed...
Hewitt Survey: Employers Investing In Workers’ Health
Despite the uncertainty surrounding health care reform, most U.S. employers say they are making investments that will improve the long-term health and productivity of their workforce, according to a new survey. Researchers at Hewitt Associates Inc., Lincolnshire, Ill....
Blue Cross Blue Shield of Illinois Open Enrollment for Young Adult Dependent Coverage Ends March 31st
The open enrollment period to add dependents to an existing Blue Cross® and Blue Shield® of Illinois (BCBSIL) individual policy is coming to an end on March 31, 2010. During this period there are no medical questions and the policy is guaranteed issue. The 12 month...
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...