BCBS Illinois fined a third time for network adequacy law violations (2024)

The Illinois Department of Insurance has fined Health Care Service Corp., the parent company of Blue Cross Blue Shield of Illinois, nearly $1.2 million in less than two years for violating the state's Network Adequacy and Transparency Act, which requires payers to publish complete and accurate provider directory information.

The latest fine for $231,900 is because HCSC did not update its directory for network changes with four providers within 10 business days, as required by state law, according to a Nov. 3 news release. The payer also did not institute corrections to its provider directory within 90 days following a January 2023 order from the state.

The state said HCSC is now in compliance because it made changes to its provider search process.

BCBS Illinois was fined $605,000 by the state in March following a market conduct exam. The investigation found the payer failed to follow some network transparency standards, including failure to audit at least 25 percent of provider directories for accuracy. In March 2022, BCBS Illinois was fined $339,000, the first insurer to be fined under the state's network adequacy law, after it did not properly file an updated directory following the termination of its contract with Springfield (Ill.) Clinic in November 2021.

In a statement provided to Becker's, BCBS Illinois it"strives to provide its members with an accurate and usable provider directory. We recently completed a series of updates to our online directories to make them easier to use for our members and prospective members. When we learn information is inaccurate or incomplete, we fix it. Information related to the four providers noted in the Department’s order was corrected in May. BCBSIL cooperates with the Department and our active engagement with the Department is one of the ways we help ensure we are best serving the needs of our members."

BCBS Illinois fined a third time for network adequacy law violations (2024)

FAQs

BCBS Illinois fined a third time for network adequacy law violations? ›

BCBS Illinois was fined $605,000 by the state in March following a market conduct exam. The investigation found the payer failed to follow some network transparency standards, including failure to audit at least 25 percent of provider directories for accuracy.

Why was Blue Cross Blue Shield of Illinois fined? ›

(WCIA) — The Illinois Department of Insurance has fined a major insurance company for not updating their provider directory in a timely manner. The state agency previously fined Blue Cross Blue Shield in March more than half a million dollars for violating laws related to network adequacy.

What is the BCBS lawsuit in Illinois? ›

The lawsuit alleged that BCBSIL's administration of exclusions of gender affirming care violates the health nondiscrimination law enacted as part of the Affordable Care Act, known as Section 1557.

Has the Blue Cross Blue Shield of Illinois been hacked? ›

Blue Cross and Blue Shield servers themselves were not breached, but BCBS customers were exposed through a third-party administration service provider called TMG Health. On June 23, 2023, BCBS learned about TMG Health being breached on June 21.

Who owns Blue Cross Blue Shield of Illinois? ›

How to dispute a claim with Blue Cross Blue Shield of Illinois? ›

Appeals may be initiated in writing or by telephone, upon receipt of a denial letter and instructions from BCBSIL. A routing form, along with relevant claim information and any supporting medical or clinical documentation must be included with the appeal request.

What happened to the Blue Cross Blue Shield lawsuit settlement? ›

Settlement Status

The Court granted final approval to the Settlement on August 9, 2022. On January 26, 2024, the Eleventh Circuit Court of Appeals denied an appeal of their October 25, 2023 decision affirming approval of the Settlement Agreement.

Is BCBS Illinois part of HCSC? ›

Secure Plans are offered by Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Illinois, which refers to HCSC Insurance Services Company (HISC), an Independent Licensee of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association (hereinafter referred to as “Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Illinois” or “BCBSIL”).

Who owns Health Care Service Corporation? ›

Health Care Service Corp (HCSC) is a customer owned health insurance company.

What is the claims address for Blue Cross Blue Shield of Illinois? ›

If necessary, commercial paper claims may be submitted to this address: BCBSIL, P.O. Box 660603, Dallas, TX, 75266-0603.

Did Blue Cross Blue Shield get hacked recently? ›

It was determined that the unauthorized third party exfiltrated information from the server on May 28, 2023, and May 31, 2023.” Oakland-based Blue Shield said it was notified of the breach on Sept. 1 after the vendor discovered a week earlier that an unknown vulnerability in its system had been exploited.

Which health insurance got hacked? ›

U.S. lawmakers and the Biden administration are scrutinizing the fallout from a ransomware attack on UnitedHealth Group's Change Healthcare unit in late February that has crippled revenue flow in the healthcare sector.

Is Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield the same as Blue Cross Blue Shield of Illinois? ›

Is Anthem the same as Blue Cross Blue Shield? Anthem is part of the Blue Cross Blue Shield group. Blue Cross Blue Shield is made up of independent companies. Anthem is one of these companies.

Can I use BCBSIL in another state? ›

As a Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Illinois member, you have access to the BlueCard® PPO network, which links you to a network of doctors and hospitals throughout the United States. You also have access when travelling or working abroad to BlueCard Worldwide® doctors and hospitals in more than 200 countries.

How many members does Blue Cross Blue Shield of Illinois have? ›

With nearly 9 million members, Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Illinois (BCBSIL) is the largest health insurer in Illinois. We started in the height of the Great Depression in 1936 in Chicago and grew out of a shared interest to protect individuals and families from financial ruin related to health care costs.

What is the difference between Blue Cross and Blue Shield? ›

Blue Cross and Blue Shield developed separately, with Blue Cross providing coverage for hospital services and Blue Shield covering physicians' services. Blue Cross is a name used by an association of health insurance plans throughout the United States.

What is the out of pocket maximum for Blue Cross Blue Shield of Illinois? ›

For 2022, the highest OOPM a plan can have is $8,700 for an individual and $17,400 for families. If you selected a Blue Advantage Bronze HMO Plan or Blue Advantage Plus Bronze HMO Plan, your OOPM will be $7,000 per individual. With a Blue Advantage Gold HMO Plan, your OOPM will be even lower.

Is Blue Cross Blue Shield of Illinois accepted in other states? ›

As a Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Illinois member, you have access to the BlueCard® PPO network, which links you to a network of doctors and hospitals throughout the United States. You also have access when travelling or working abroad to BlueCard Worldwide® doctors and hospitals in more than 200 countries.

Is Blue Cross Blue Shield of Illinois the same as Anthem? ›

Is Anthem the same as Blue Cross Blue Shield? Anthem is part of the Blue Cross Blue Shield group. Blue Cross Blue Shield is made up of independent companies. Anthem is one of these companies.

Is Blue Cross Blue Shield of Illinois not for profit? ›

exempt status as a "non-profit" even though court. records show the corporation stockpiled more than. $10 billion and paid out big corporate bonuses to.

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