Contents:

• LEGISLATIVE NEWS: This Week in Health Reform

GROUP MARKETS

• NEWS TO USE: Small Group Renewal Letters
• LEGISLATIVE NEWS: Mental Health Parity Legislation Effective 10/3/09
• LEGISLATIVE NEWS: ERISA Form 5500 Update
• LEGISLATIVE NEWS: New York State Health Care Reform Act Adds Premium Accounts to GME Surcharge Payment Requirement
• NETWORK UPDATE: HMO Network Medical Group Change
• NEWS TO USE: Fall Issue of Benefits Management Briefing Coming Soon

* This Week in Health Reform *
The Senate Finance Committee began marking up its health care reform bill, “America’s Healthy Future Act,” last week. Meanwhile, in the House of Representatives, Chairman Henry Waxman (D-CA) announced that his Energy and Commerce Committee approved a number of leftover amendments from the July 31 vote on its version of the health care reform bill. 
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* Small Group Renewal Letters *
Effective with December 2009 small group renewals, you and your clients will see a new look to the Small Group Renewal letters. These changes are being made in response to requests from our customers and producers for more information regarding our renewal actions. 
Continued…read more.

* Mental Health Parity Legislation Effective 10/3/09 *
The Paul Wellstone and Pete Domenici Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act of 2008 becomes effective for benefit plans beginning on or after one year from the date the legislation was signed into law (October 3, 2008). All plans and products, including self-funded (ASO) groups – with the exception of ERISA-exempt groups – are affected and will be required to comply with the new law. Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Illinois is also implementing Mental Health Parity for the 2-50 market segment.
Continued…read more.

* ERISA Form 5500 Update *
As a service provider to ERISA-covered Plans for whom we administer health, dental and life benefits, Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Illinois (BCBSIL) must comply with the expanded Department of Labor regulations for Form 5500, which expands the type of compensation that BCBSIL will report to its group customers. Beginning in October, BCBSIL will communicate this information to group customers.
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* New York State Health Care Reform Act Adds Premium Accounts to GME Surcharge Payment Requirement *
On April 1, 2009, statutory changes became effective regarding the New York State Health Care Reform Act (NYHCRA). In February 2009, the New York state governor and legislative leaders passed the Deficit Reduction Plan to close the state’s current year fiscal deficit. The plan requires that insured accounts become subject to the Graduate Medical Education (GME) regional covered lives assessment. Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Illinois is actively working to ensure that all fully insured accounts that have members in the state of New York are set up to accommodate the NYHCRA requirements.
Continued…read more.

* HMO Network Update – Medical Group Change *
Effective January 1, 2010 for HMO Illinois members, the Midwest Physicians Group/Bridgeport Family Center (152) and satellites will transfer to Advocate South Suburban Physician Partners (277). Also, as of January 1, 2010, Midwest Physicians Group will no longer participate in the BlueAdvantage^SM HMO network.
Continued…read more.

* Fall Issue of Benefits Management Briefing Coming Soon *
The fall issue of Benefits Management Briefing, BCBSIL’s quarterly employer newsletter, will be distributed in mid-October. Look for the fall issue on Blue Access^® for Producers soon.