Recent Articles
Large Employers Intend to Increase Employees’ Deductibles and Share of Premium in 2012
Many large U.S. employers intend to increase employees’ in-network deductibles and employees’ share of the premiums in 2012. The National Business Group on Health (NBGH), Washington, has reported those findings in a summary of results from a recent survey of 83 large...
BlueCross BlueShield of Illinois launches new child only health plans
Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Illinois (BCBSIL) announced the launch of 2 new child-only health insurance policies: Blue PathwaySM and BlueChoice PathwaySM. These new products provide coverage for children ages 1 through 18, who do not have other major coverage...
2012 Health Savings Account Changes
The maximum out-of-pocket employee expense, including deductibles, will rise next year to $6,050 for single coverage, up from $5,950 this year. For family coverage, it will increase to $12,100 next year from $11,900 this year
Blue Cross Blue Shield of California CEO earns $4.6 million, Fights Legislation to Limit Excessive Overhead
The CEO of the nonprofit health insurance company Blue Shield of California, Bruce Bodaken, earned $4.6 million in 2010, according to documents made public by the California Department of Insurance Wednesday. Blue Shield paid its top ten executives more than $14...
Most Uninsured Unable to Pay Hospital Bills According to New HHS Report
A new report released today by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) shows that few families without health insurance have the financial assets to pay potential hospital bills. On average, uninsured families can only afford to pay in full for...
Enrollment in Consumer-Directed Health Plans Grew by 22% in 2010
Enrollment in Consumer-Directed Health Plans (CDHPs) grew by 22 percent in 2010, up from 23 million in 2009 to 28 million last year according to an analysis of the Mercer National Survey of Employer Sponsored Health Plans commissioned by the American Association of...
BlueCross and BlueShield of Illinois makes Eligibility Decisions on Illinois Religious Freedom Protection and Civil Union Act
As previously announced in the Feb. 9, 2011 issue of News from the Blues, Public Act 96-1513, the Illinois Religious Freedom Protection and Civil Union Act, was signed into law on Jan. 31, 2011. Effective June 1, 2011, the law’s intent is to provide procedures for the...
Deadline to Make a Tax-Deductible Contribution to your 2010 Health Savings Account is April 18, 2010
If you were covered by a high deductible health insurance plan in 2010, you have until April 18, 2011, to make a tax-deductible contribution to an HSA. This account gives you a triple tax benefit: you deduct the contributions (whether or not you itemize other...
IRS Adjusts Rules on Health Insurance Debit Cards
The Internal Revenue Service issued new guidance allowing the continued use of flexible spending arrangement and health reimbursement arrangement debit cards for the purchase of prescribed over-the-counter medicines and drugs. A few weeks ago, the IRS announced tough...
2011 Health Savings Account Changes
Due to the enactment of the National Health Law (PPACA - Patient Protections and Affordable Care Act) beginning January 1, 2011 the following changes will affect Health Savings Accounts: The Excise Tax on ineligible HSA reimbursements increases from 10% to 20%. This...