Change in Age Eligible for Dependents

The Illinois General Assembly passed a Illinois Dependent Care Mandate under the Public Act 95-0958. This mandate states that unmarried dependent can receive coverage under their family policy up to the age of 26 regardless of their student status. This mandate will go into effect on 06/01/2009.

Coverage will also extend to unmarried dependents up to the age of 30, who are residents of Illinois and have served in active or reserve components of any branch of the Armed Forces. These dependents will need to provide proof of military release or discharge (other than dishonorable discharged). To qualify for coverage, the dependent will need to submit a US service form approved by the Illinois Department of Veterans Affairs (showing the date of their release from service).

BlueCross BlueShield of CA on Trial

For the first time, BlueCross BlueShield of California will be go on trail for a rescinded policy with a California man who was involved in a disabling car accident. BlueCross BlueShield is stating that Steve Hailey, a former self-empolyed machinist, misrepresented himself when his wife filled out the application when she did not including his true weight and medical history of hypertension and headaches.

The Haileys are contesting that BlueCross BlueShield continued their coverage even after learning about Steve's condition, but dropped him two months after the accident when his claims started to out weight the premium that BlueCross BlueShield was collecting. For the whole story, please click on the link below:

http://www.latimes.com/business/la-fi-rescind18-2009may18,0,4559862.story?page=1

Parental Guide to Avoid the Swine Flu

The swine Flu, also known as the H1N1 virus has been on everyone's minds lately. To calm these fears, major media outlets such as cnnhealth.com and parenting.com have published helpful websites with useful tips to avoid this new strain of the flu. Check out http://www.cnn.com/2009/HEALTH/05/01/swine.flu.children/index.html or www.parent.com for a complete list of symptoms and preventive measures.