Blue Cross® and Blue Shield®of Illinois (BCBSIL) has removed the following Illinois residential requirement: “50% or more of the enrolled employees must reside in IL or the bordering states. The restriction still applies to group with 2-50 employees. BCBSIL is very competitive in this market and still uses a gatekeeper form, that means no individual underwriting on most groups.

In the past, this rule may have effectively removed BCBSIL as an option for many companies. If you are a group that has been affected by this rule in the past and would like get a Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Illinois group quote, please email us at info@ilhealthagents.com with the subject BCBSIL group quote or contact us.

Tags: Blue Cross Blue Shield of Illinois group health insurance, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Illinois Group Quotes

Effective June 1, 2009 Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Illinois gives existing and new members the option to cancel their SelecTEMP (short term medical plan) policy prior to the expiration period. Please note:

The cancellation date will be effective on the next monthly renewal date following receipt of the cancellation request.

• Any prepaid premium will be refunded to the member.
• Reinstatements will be permitted provided that the request to reinstate is received prior to the cancellation date. If reinstatement is requested after the cancellation date, the individual must reapply under the subsequent benefit period application guidelines.

Tags: Blue Cross Blue Shield of Illinois Short Term Medical Plans, Illinois Select Temp PPO Plans

New BlueEdgeSM HSA plan options for 2-150 groups are being introduced July 1, 2009. These additional plan designs offer $3,500 aggregate and embedded deductible options with either 100%/80% or 80%/60% coinsurance options, or a $5,000 aggregate or embedded deductible option with a 100%/80% coinsurance.

An aggregate deductible means the entire family deductible must be met before health plan benefits begin for any covered family member. An embedded deductible means each family member has an individual deductible amount; once it is satisfied,that member is eligible for health plan benefits.

The out-of-pocket maximum for in-network services is $5,800 for individual and $11,600 for family for the four $3,500 deductible options:

• $3,500 Embedded Deductible 100%/80% Option
• $3,500 Combined Deductible 100%/80% Option
• $3,500 Embedded Deductible 80%/60% Option
• $3,500 Combined Deductible 80%/60% Option

Tags: BlueEdge HSA Plans

In May Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Illinois launched a campaign on Blue Access® for Members to promote the Personal Health Manager and encourage members to earn Blue Points by using these online wellness and condition management resources. Blue Points can be redeemed for reward items such as health-related products and fitness gear, popular merchandise and gift certificates.

Set to run through July 14, the adult member who earns the most Blue Points during the campaign will win tickets for the hit Chicago musical, Jersey Boys. An e-mail announcing the promotion was sent to Blue Access for Members registrants with Personal Health Manager access, who have opted in to receive electronic updates.

To view more information about the campaign, go to the promotional Web page at www.bcbsil.com/jerseyboys.

Tags: BCBSIL Jersey Boys, Blue Cross and BlueSheild of Illinois Blue Points, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Illinois Personal Health Manager

Starting July 1, 2009, Life Time Fitness is introducing the following exclusive health club membership offer to BCBSIL members who are new to Life Time Fitness (this offer is not available to current Life Time Fitness members). Life Time Fitness centers are located in Illinois throughout the suburban Chicago area and across 17 other states.

BCBSIL members who are new to Life Time Fitness only:

• Will receive a free RiskPoint Health Screening at Life Time Fitness (valued at more than $100)
• Can join for a $0 enrollment fee. An administrative fee applies to all memberships ($85 for Single
  and $95 for Couple and Family memberships) upon joining Life Time Fitness.

Applicants for this Life Time Fitness program will be asked to show their active BCBSIL ID card as proof of BCBSIL membership.

Through the BlueExtras discount program, members are eligible to save money on value-added health care products and services that help support healthy lifestyles. There are no claims to file, no referrals and no pre-authorizations. Members can also use discounts for complementary alternative medicine services, weight management programs, and vision and hearing exams and products.

Tags: Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Illinois Life Time Fitness Discount, BlueExtras Discount Program, BlueExtras Life Time Fitness