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	<title>Illinois Insurance News</title>
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	<link>http://www.ilhealthagents.com/blog</link>
	<description>The latest Illinois insurance news.</description>
	<lastBuildDate>Wed, 03 Mar 2010 21:42:37 +0000</lastBuildDate>
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		<title>Obama Signs Stopgap COBRA Subsidy Extension</title>
		<link>http://www.ilhealthagents.com/blog/2010/03/03/obama-signs-stopgap-cobra-subsidy-extension/</link>
		<comments>http://www.ilhealthagents.com/blog/2010/03/03/obama-signs-stopgap-cobra-subsidy-extension/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Wed, 03 Mar 2010 21:42:37 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>admin</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[CHIP]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Obama Healthcare]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[politics]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[2010 COBRA Benefits]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[2010 COBRA Benefits Extension]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[2010 COBRA Subsidy Deadline]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[65% COBRA Subsidy Extension]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[COBRA Extentension]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[COBRA Health Care Premium Subsidy Deadline]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[COBRA Subsidy Extension]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.ilhealthagents.com/blog/?p=619</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[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 H.R. 4691, the 65%, 15-month premium subsidy for laid-off workers is extended to those [...]]]></description>
		<wfw:commentRss>http://www.ilhealthagents.com/blog/2010/03/03/obama-signs-stopgap-cobra-subsidy-extension/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
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		<item>
		<title>New jobs bill adds COBRA subsidy extension, expansion</title>
		<link>http://www.ilhealthagents.com/blog/2010/03/01/new-jobs-bill-adds-cobra-subsidy-extension-expansion/</link>
		<comments>http://www.ilhealthagents.com/blog/2010/03/01/new-jobs-bill-adds-cobra-subsidy-extension-expansion/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Mon, 01 Mar 2010 23:34:48 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>admin</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[COBRA]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[COBRA subsidy]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[COBRA Subsidy 2010]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[COBRA Subsidy Expansion]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[COBRA Subsidy Extension]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.ilhealthagents.com/blog/?p=616</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[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 employees another 10 months, so employees laid off through year-end would be eligible for the [...]]]></description>
		<wfw:commentRss>http://www.ilhealthagents.com/blog/2010/03/01/new-jobs-bill-adds-cobra-subsidy-extension-expansion/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>New Illinois Law Improves Orthotic, Prosthetic Insurance Coverage</title>
		<link>http://www.ilhealthagents.com/blog/2010/03/01/new-illinois-law-improves-orthotic-prosthetic-insurance-coverage/</link>
		<comments>http://www.ilhealthagents.com/blog/2010/03/01/new-illinois-law-improves-orthotic-prosthetic-insurance-coverage/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Mon, 01 Mar 2010 23:29:34 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>admin</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Illinois Health Insurance Laws]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[H.B. 2652]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Illinois Orthotic and Prosthetic Parity Act]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.ilhealthagents.com/blog/?p=613</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Governor Pat Quinn signed a bill into law that goes into effect June 1, 2010 that will benefit thousands of orthotic and prosthetic users in Illinois covered by private health insurance plans.
The law ensures that coverage for orthotic and prosthetic devices is the same as nearly all medical or surgical benefits.
“Those covered by orthotic and [...]]]></description>
		<wfw:commentRss>http://www.ilhealthagents.com/blog/2010/03/01/new-illinois-law-improves-orthotic-prosthetic-insurance-coverage/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>Lake Forest Hospital Is Now a Subsidiary of Northwestern Memorial and still part of Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Illinois PPO Network</title>
		<link>http://www.ilhealthagents.com/blog/2010/02/22/lake-forest-hospital-is-now-a-subsidiary-of-northwestern-memorial-and-still-part-of-blue-cross-and-blue-shield-of-illinois-ppo-network/</link>
		<comments>http://www.ilhealthagents.com/blog/2010/02/22/lake-forest-hospital-is-now-a-subsidiary-of-northwestern-memorial-and-still-part-of-blue-cross-and-blue-shield-of-illinois-ppo-network/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Mon, 22 Feb 2010 21:43:25 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>admin</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Blue Cross Blue Shield of Illinois]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Lake Forest Hospital BCBSIL PPO Network]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Northwestern Acquires Lake Forest Hospital]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.ilhealthagents.com/blog/?p=610</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[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 and Northwestern Lake Forest Hospital.
At this time, each hospital will maintain separate agreements with Blue Cross and Blue [...]]]></description>
		<wfw:commentRss>http://www.ilhealthagents.com/blog/2010/02/22/lake-forest-hospital-is-now-a-subsidiary-of-northwestern-memorial-and-still-part-of-blue-cross-and-blue-shield-of-illinois-ppo-network/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>New FMLA Regulations Expand Military Caregivers&#8217; Coverage</title>
		<link>http://www.ilhealthagents.com/blog/2010/02/09/new-fmla-regulations-expand-military-caregivers-coverage/</link>
		<comments>http://www.ilhealthagents.com/blog/2010/02/09/new-fmla-regulations-expand-military-caregivers-coverage/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Tue, 09 Feb 2010 22:10:00 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>admin</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Uncategorized]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Family Medical Leave Act Expansion]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[FMLA Military Coverage]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[FMLA Military Coverage Expansion]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.ilhealthagents.com/blog/?p=607</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[The Family and Medical Leave Act of 1993 (&#8220;FMLA&#8221;), which applies to employer groups with 50 or more employees and all public agencies, has an indirect impact on health insurers and group health plans. FMLA requires employers to provide up to 12 weeks of unpaid leave to its employees to care for a loved one [...]]]></description>
		<wfw:commentRss>http://www.ilhealthagents.com/blog/2010/02/09/new-fmla-regulations-expand-military-caregivers-coverage/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
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		<item>
		<title>Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Illinois Offers New Fitness Program to Support Members’ Wellness Efforts</title>
		<link>http://www.ilhealthagents.com/blog/2010/01/25/blue-cross-and-blue-shield-of-illinois-offers-new-fitness-program-to-support-members%e2%80%99-wellness-efforts/</link>
		<comments>http://www.ilhealthagents.com/blog/2010/01/25/blue-cross-and-blue-shield-of-illinois-offers-new-fitness-program-to-support-members%e2%80%99-wellness-efforts/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Mon, 25 Jan 2010 21:40:11 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>admin</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Blue Cross Blue Shield of Illinois]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[BCBSIL Fitness Program]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[BCBSIL Wellness Discounts]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[BCBSIL Wellness Program]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Illinois Gym Discounts]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.ilhealthagents.com/blog/?p=603</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Illinois (BCBSIL) is offering the Fitness Program as the newest value-added health and wellness option. The Fitness Program is an exclusive membership program that offers unlimited access to a nationwide network of fitness centers for a low monthly membership fee.

Group Markets: As a new feature of Blue Care Connection®, [...]]]></description>
		<wfw:commentRss>http://www.ilhealthagents.com/blog/2010/01/25/blue-cross-and-blue-shield-of-illinois-offers-new-fitness-program-to-support-members%e2%80%99-wellness-efforts/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>Moody&#8217;s Downgrades Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Illinois</title>
		<link>http://www.ilhealthagents.com/blog/2010/01/13/moodys-downgrades-blue-cross-and-blue-shield-of-illinois/</link>
		<comments>http://www.ilhealthagents.com/blog/2010/01/13/moodys-downgrades-blue-cross-and-blue-shield-of-illinois/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Thu, 14 Jan 2010 00:42:23 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>admin</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Blue Cross Blue Shield of Illinois]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Illinois Financial Rating]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Blue Cross Blue Shield of Illinois 2010 Financial Performance]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Moody's BCBSIL]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Moody's Blue Cross Blue Shield of Illinois]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.ilhealthagents.com/blog/?p=598</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[From the Chicago Tribune
Moody&#8217;s Investors Service has downgraded the debt and financial-strength ratings of the parent of Chicago-based Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Illinois.
Moody&#8217;s Investors Service this week said Health Care Service Corp., the nation&#8217;s fourth-largest health insurance company, has been hampered by higher than expected medical costs driven by increased unemployment and layoffs [...]]]></description>
		<wfw:commentRss>http://www.ilhealthagents.com/blog/2010/01/13/moodys-downgrades-blue-cross-and-blue-shield-of-illinois/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>Blue Cross Blue Shield of Illinois Now Offers Dental Insurance for Individuals and Families</title>
		<link>http://www.ilhealthagents.com/blog/2010/01/05/blue-cross-blue-shield-of-illinois-now-offers-dental-insurance-for-individuals-and-families/</link>
		<comments>http://www.ilhealthagents.com/blog/2010/01/05/blue-cross-blue-shield-of-illinois-now-offers-dental-insurance-for-individuals-and-families/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Wed, 06 Jan 2010 05:23:56 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>admin</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Blue Cross Blue Shield of Illinois]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[BCBS IL dental]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[BCBS Illinois Individual Dental Insurance Plans]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[BCBSIL Individual Dental]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Blue Cross Blue Shield of Illinois Individual Dental Plans]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[New Blue Cross Blue Shield of Illinois Individual and Family Dental Plans]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.ilhealthagents.com/blog/?p=590</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[For many years now many of my health insurance clients in Illinois have been asking for a dental insurance plan with Blue Cross Blue Shield of Illinois. Up until now, BCBSIL did not have dental insurance for families or individuals &#8211; just on the group insurance side. If someone purchased a BCBSIL individual or family [...]]]></description>
		<wfw:commentRss>http://www.ilhealthagents.com/blog/2010/01/05/blue-cross-blue-shield-of-illinois-now-offers-dental-insurance-for-individuals-and-families/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>Aetna&#8217;s Underwriting requirements regarding the last doctor&#8217;s visit</title>
		<link>http://www.ilhealthagents.com/blog/2010/01/05/aetnas-underwriting-requirements-regarding-the-last-doctors-visit/</link>
		<comments>http://www.ilhealthagents.com/blog/2010/01/05/aetnas-underwriting-requirements-regarding-the-last-doctors-visit/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Wed, 06 Jan 2010 05:01:33 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>admin</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Aetna]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Aetna Doctor Visit Requirement]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Aetna Individual and Family Underwritiing Guidelines]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Aetna Individual Underwriting]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Aetna Underwritng Requirements]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.ilhealthagents.com/blog/?p=585</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Aetna has recently clarified their underwriting requirements when a doctor&#8217;s visit is needed in order to underwrite a new application. The doctor’s visit must be performed by a Medical Doctor (MD), Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine (DO), Nurse Practitioner/Certified Registered Nurse Practitioner (NP/CRNP) or Physician Assistant (PA). 
Aetna Online Application
Age/Timeline Requirements:
Newborn through age 17:  The [...]]]></description>
		<wfw:commentRss>http://www.ilhealthagents.com/blog/2010/01/05/aetnas-underwriting-requirements-regarding-the-last-doctors-visit/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>COBRA subsidy program extended</title>
		<link>http://www.ilhealthagents.com/blog/2009/12/28/cobra-subsidy-program-extended/</link>
		<comments>http://www.ilhealthagents.com/blog/2009/12/28/cobra-subsidy-program-extended/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Mon, 28 Dec 2009 22:43:31 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>admin</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[COBRA]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Obama Healthcare]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[COBRA Legislation Extension]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[COBRA stimulus]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[COBRA stimulus package]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[COBRA subsidy]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[COBRA Subsidy Expansion]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[COBRA Subsidy Extended]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[COBRA Subsidy Extension]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Obama COBRA Subsidy]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.ilhealthagents.com/blog/?p=581</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[President Obama has signed a bill that extends federal COBRA health insurance premium subsidies for the unemployed.
The Senate, in a rare Saturday session, passed H.R. 3326 on an 88-10 vote. The measure—a military spending bill that the House passed earlier last week—includes a provision that extends the nine-month, 65% premium federal subsidy by six months. [...]]]></description>
		<wfw:commentRss>http://www.ilhealthagents.com/blog/2009/12/28/cobra-subsidy-program-extended/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
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