Legislation sponsored by State Representative Lisa Hernandez (D-Cicero) to minimize Medicare expenses for individuals who have other forms of health insurance was recently signed into law.  “Under federal law, private insurance companies are required to pay health bills first and Medicare may cover the remainder of the bill as a last resort,” Hernandez said. “By emphasizing this we will help save the state money in a time when we are on a tight budget. Implementing penalties will also help force companies to provide the necessary information in a timely manner and make the process more effective.”

Hernandez’s measure requires insurance companies and health care plans to provide the names, addresses, gender, policy number, dependents covered, coverage dates, and services of the individuals they cover.  The purpose of this is to minimize Medicaid expenditures for individuals who have other forms of health insurance. It allows Illinois Department of Healthcare and Family Services to impose a penalty on insurance companies that fail to provide information required by statute to the department.  For more information please contact Rep. Hernandez’s full time constituent service office located at 2137 S. Lombard in Cicero or by calling her full time constituent service office at (708) 222-5240.