215 ILCS 5/ Illinois Insurance Code.

(215 ILCS 5/356z.61)

(Text of Section from P.A. 103-1)

Sec. 356z.61. Coverage of pharmacy testing, screening, vaccinations, and treatment. A group or individual policy of accident and health insurance or a managed care plan that is amended, delivered, issued, or renewed on or after January 1, 2025 shall provide coverage for health care or patient care services provided by a pharmacist if:

(1) the pharmacist meets the requirements and scope of practice described in paragraph (15), (16), or (17) of subsection (d) of Section 3 of the Pharmacy Practice Act;

(2) the health plan provides coverage for the same service provided by a licensed physician, an advanced practice registered nurse, or a physician assistant;

(3) the pharmacist is included in the health benefit plan's network of participating providers; and

(4) reimbursement has been successfully negotiated in good faith between the pharmacist and the health plan.

(Source: P.A. 103-1, eff. 4-27-23.)

(Text of Section from P.A. 103-84)

Sec. 356z.61. Coverage for liver disease screening. A group or individual policy of accident and health insurance or a managed care plan that is amended, delivered, issued, or renewed on or after January 1, 2025 shall provide coverage for preventative liver disease screenings for individuals 35 years of age or older and under the age of 65 at high risk for liver disease, including liver ultrasounds and alpha-fetoprotein blood tests every 6 months, without imposing a deductible, coinsurance, copayment, or any other cost-sharing requirement on the coverage provided; except that this Section does not apply to coverage of liver disease screenings to the extent such coverage would disqualify a high-deductible health plan from eligibility for a health savings account pursuant to Section 223 of the Internal Revenue Code.

(Source: P.A. 103-84, eff. 1-1-24.)

(Text of Section from P.A. 103-91)

Sec. 356z.61. Coverage for compression sleeves. A group or individual policy of accident and health insurance or a managed care plan that is amended, delivered, issued, or renewed on or after January 1, 2025 shall provide coverage for compression sleeves that is medically necessary for the enrollee to prevent or mitigate lymphedema.

(Source: P.A. 103-91, eff. 1-1-24.)

(Text of Section from P.A. 103-123)

Sec. 356z.61. Coverage for reconstructive services.

(a) As used in this Section, "reconstructive services" means treatments performed on structures of the body damaged by trauma to restore physical appearance.

(b) A group or individual policy of accident and health insurance or a managed care plan that is amended, delivered, issued, or renewed on or after January 1, 2025 may not deny coverage for medically necessary reconstructive services that are intended to restore physical appearance.

(Source: P.A. 103-123, eff. 1-1-24.)

(Text of Section from P.A. 103-325)

Sec. 356z.61. Proton beam therapy.

(a) As used in this Section:

"Medically necessary" has the meaning given to that term in the Prior Authorization Reform Act.

"Proton beam therapy" means a type of radiation therapy treatment that utilizes protons as the radiation delivery method for the treatment of tumors and cancerous cells.

"Radiation therapy treatment" means the delivery of biological effective doses with proton therapy, intensity modulated radiation therapy, brachytherapy, stereotactic body radiation therapy, three-dimensional conformal radiation therapy, or other forms of therapy using radiation.

(b) A group or individual policy of accident and health insurance or managed care plan that is amended, delivered, issued, or renewed on or after January 1, 2025 that provides coverage for the treatment of cancer shall not apply a higher standard of clinical evidence for the coverage of proton beam therapy than the insurer applies for the coverage of any other form of radiation therapy treatment.

(c) A group or individual policy of accident and health insurance or managed care plan that is amended, delivered, issued, or renewed on or after January 1, 2025 that provides coverage or benefits to any resident of this State for radiation oncology shall include coverage or benefits for medically necessary proton beam therapy for the treatment of cancer.

(Source: P.A. 103-325, eff. 1-1-24.)

(Text of Section from P.A. 103-420)

Sec. 356z.61. Coverage of prescription estrogen.

(a) A group or individual policy of accident and health insurance or a managed care plan that is amended, delivered, issued, or renewed on or after January 1, 2025 and that provides coverage for prescription drugs shall include coverage for one or more therapeutic equivalent versions of vaginal estrogen in its formulary.

(b) If a particular vaginal estrogen product or its therapeutic equivalent version approved by the United States Food and Drug Administration is determined to be medically necessary, the issuer must cover that service or item pursuant to the cost-sharing requirement contained in subsection (c).

(c) A policy subject to this Section shall not impose a deductible, copayment, or any other cost sharing requirement that exceeds any deductible, coinsurance, copayment, or any other cost-sharing requirement imposed on any prescription drug authorized for the treatment of erectile dysfunction covered by the policy; except that this subsection does not apply to coverage of vaginal estrogen to the extent such coverage would disqualify a high-deductible health plan from eligibility for a health savings account pursuant to Section 223 of the Internal Revenue Code.

(d) As used in this Section, "therapeutic equivalent version" has the meaning given to that term in paragraph (2) of subsection (a) of Section 356z.4.

(Source: P.A. 103-420, eff. 1-1-24.)

(Text of Section from P.A. 103-445)

Sec. 356z.61. Home saliva cancer screening.

(a) As used in this Section, "home saliva cancer screening" means an outpatient test that utilizes an individual's saliva to detect biomarkers for early-stage cancer.

(b) An individual or group policy of accident and health insurance that is amended, delivered, issued, or renewed on or after January 1, 2025 shall cover a medically necessary home saliva cancer screening every 24 months if the patient:

(1) is asymptomatic and at high risk for the disease being tested for; or

(2) demonstrates symptoms of the disease being tested for at a physical exam.

(Source: P.A. 103-445, eff. 1-1-24.)

(Text of Section from P.A. 103-458)

Sec. 356z.61. Coverage for children with neuromuscular, neurological, or cognitive impairment. A group or individual policy of accident and health insurance amended, delivered, issued, or renewed on or after January 1, 2025 shall provide coverage for therapy, diagnostic testing, and equipment necessary to increase quality of life for children who have been clinically or genetically diagnosed with any disease, syndrome, or disorder that includes low tone neuromuscular impairment, neurological impairment, or cognitive impairment.

(Source: P.A. 103-458, eff. 1-1-24.)

(Text of Section from P.A. 103-535)

Sec. 356z.61. Coverage of no-cost mental health prevention and wellness visits.

(a) A group or individual policy of accident and health insurance or managed care plan that is amended, delivered, issued, or renewed on or after January 1, 2025 shall provide coverage for one annual mental health prevention and wellness visit for children and for adults.

(b) Mental health prevention and wellness visits shall include any age-appropriate screening recommended by the United States Preventive Services Task Force or by the American Academy of Pediatrics' Bright Futures: Guidelines for Health Supervision of Infants, Children, and Adolescents for purposes of identifying a mental health issue, condition, or disorder; discussing mental health symptoms that might be present, including symptoms of a previously diagnosed mental health condition or disorder; performing an evaluation of adverse childhood experiences; and discussing mental health and wellness.

(c) A mental health prevention and wellness visit shall be covered for up to 60 minutes and may be performed by a physician licensed to practice medicine in all of its branches, a licensed clinical psychologist, a licensed clinical social worker, a licensed clinical professional counselor, a licensed marriage and family therapist, a licensed social worker, or a licensed professional counselor.

(d) A policy subject to this Section shall not impose a deductible, coinsurance, copayment, or other cost-sharing requirement for mental health prevention and wellness visits. The cost-sharing prohibition in this subsection (d) does not apply to coverage of mental health prevention and wellness visits to the extent such coverage would disqualify a high-deductible health plan from eligibility for a health savings account pursuant to Section 223 of the Internal Revenue Code.

(e) A mental health prevention and wellness visit shall be in addition to an annual physical examination and shall not replace a well-child visit or a general health or medical visit.

(f) A mental health prevention and wellness visit shall be reimbursed through the following American Medical Association current procedural terminology codes and at the same rate that current procedural terminology codes are reimbursed for the provision of other medical care: 99381-99387 and 99391-99397. The Department shall update the current procedural terminology codes through adoption of rules if the codes listed in this subsection are altered, amended, changed, deleted, or supplemented.

(g) Reimbursement of any of the current procedural terminology codes listed in this Section shall comply with the following:

(1) reimbursement may be adjusted for payment of claims that are billed by a nonphysician clinician so long as the methodology to determine the adjustments are comparable to and applied no more stringently than the methodology for adjustments made for reimbursement of claims billed by nonphysician clinicians for other medical care, in accordance with 45 CFR 146.136(c)(4); and

(2) for a mental health prevention and wellness visit and for a service other than a mental health prevention and wellness visit, reimbursement shall not be denied if they occur on the same date by the same provider and the provider is a primary care provider.

(h) A mental health prevention and wellness visit may be incorporated into and reimbursed within any type of integrated primary care service delivery method, including, but not limited to, a psychiatric collaborative care model as provided for under this Code.

(i) The Department shall adopt any rules necessary to implement this Section by no later than October 31, 2024.

(Source: P.A. 103-535, eff. 8-11-23.)

(215 ILCS 5/356z.62)

Sec. 356z.62. Coverage of preventive health services.

(a) A policy of group health insurance coverage or individual health insurance coverage as defined in Section 5 of the Illinois Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act shall, at a minimum, provide coverage for and shall not impose any cost-sharing requirements, including a copayment, coinsurance, or deductible, for:

(1) evidence-based items or services that have in effect a rating of "A" or "B" in the current recommendations of the United States Preventive Services Task Force;

(2) immunizations that have in effect a recommendation from the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention with respect to the individual involved;

(3) with respect to infants, children, and adolescents, evidence-informed preventive care and screenings provided for in the comprehensive guidelines supported by the Health Resources and Services Administration; and

(4) with respect to women, such additional preventive care and screenings not described in paragraph (1) of this subsection (a) as provided for in comprehensive guidelines supported by the Health Resources and Services Administration for purposes of this paragraph.

(b) For purposes of this Section, and for purposes of any other provision of State law, recommendations of the United States Preventive Services Task Force regarding breast cancer screening, mammography, and prevention issued in or around November 2009 are not considered to be current.

(c) For office visits:

(1) if an item or service described in subsection (a) is billed separately or is tracked as individual encounter data separately from an office visit, then a policy may impose cost-sharing requirements with respect to the office visit;

(2) if an item or service described in subsection (a) is not billed separately or is not tracked as individual encounter data separately from an office visit and the primary purpose of the office visit is the delivery of such an item or service, then a policy may not impose cost-sharing requirements with respect to the office visit; and

(3) if an item or service described in subsection (a) is not billed separately or is not tracked as individual encounter data separately from an office visit and the primary purpose of the office visit is not the delivery of such an item or service, then a policy may impose cost-sharing requirements with respect to the office visit.

(d) A policy must provide coverage pursuant to subsection (a) for plan or policy years that begin on or after the date that is one year after the date the recommendation or guideline is issued. If a recommendation or guideline is in effect on the first day of the plan or policy year, the policy shall cover the items and services specified in the recommendation or guideline through the last day of the plan or policy year unless either:

(1) a recommendation under paragraph (1) of subsection (a) is downgraded to a "D" rating; or

(2) the item or service is subject to a safety recall or is otherwise determined to pose a significant safety concern by a federal agency authorized to regulate the item or service during the plan or policy year.

(e) Network limitations.

(1) Subject to paragraph (3) of this subsection, nothing in this Section requires coverage for items or services described in subsection (a) that are delivered by an out-of-network provider under a health maintenance organization health care plan, other than a point-of-service contract, or under a voluntary health services plan that generally excludes coverage for out-of-network services except as otherwise required by law.

(2) Subject to paragraph (3) of this subsection, nothing in this Section precludes a policy with a preferred provider program under Article XX-1/2 of this Code, a health maintenance organization point-of-service contract, or a similarly designed voluntary health services plan from imposing cost-sharing requirements for items or services described in subsection (a) that are delivered by an out-of-network provider.

(3) If a policy does not have in its network a provider who can provide an item or service described in subsection (a), then the policy must cover the item or service when performed by an out-of-network provider and it may not impose cost-sharing with respect to the item or service.

(f) Nothing in this Section prevents a company from using reasonable medical management techniques to determine the frequency, method, treatment, or setting for an item or service described in subsection (a) to the extent not specified in the recommendation or guideline.

(g) Nothing in this Section shall be construed to prohibit a policy from providing coverage for items or services in addition to those required under subsection (a) or from denying coverage for items or services that are not required under subsection (a). Unless prohibited by other law, a policy may impose cost-sharing requirements for a treatment not described in subsection (a) even if the treatment results from an item or service described in subsection (a). Nothing in this Section shall be construed to limit coverage requirements provided under other law.

(h) The Director may develop guidelines to permit a company to utilize value-based insurance designs. In the absence of guidelines developed by the Director, any such guidelines developed by the Secretary of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services that are in force under 42 U.S.C. 300gg-13 shall apply.

(i) For student health insurance coverage as defined at 45 CFR 147.145, student administrative health fees are not considered cost-sharing requirements with respect to preventive services specified under subsection (a). As used in this subsection, "student administrative health fee" means a fee charged by an institution of higher education on a periodic basis to its students to offset the cost of providing health care through health clinics regardless of whether the students utilize the health clinics or enroll in student health insurance coverage.

(j) For any recommendation or guideline specifically referring to women or men, a company shall not deny or limit the coverage required or a claim made under subsection (a) based solely on the individual's recorded sex or actual or perceived gender identity, or for the reason that the individual is gender nonconforming, intersex, transgender, or has undergone, or is in the process of undergoing, gender transition, if, notwithstanding the sex or gender assigned at birth, the covered individual meets the conditions for the recommendation or guideline at the time the item or service is furnished.

(k) This Section does not apply to grandfathered health plans, excepted benefits, or short-term, limited-duration health insurance coverage.

(Source: P.A. 103-551, eff. 8-11-23.)

(215 ILCS 5/357.1) (from Ch. 73, par. 969.1)

Sec. 357.1. Accident and health policy provisions required.

Except as provided in section 357.26 of this article each accident and health policy delivered or issued for delivery to any person in this State shall contain the provisions set forth in sections 357.2 through 357.13 in the words in which the same appear in the specified sections; provided, however, that the company may, at its option, substitute for one or more of such provisions corresponding provisions of different wording approved by the Director which are in each instance not less favorable in any respect to the insured or the beneficiary. Such provisions shall be preceded individually by the caption appearing at the beginning of each such section or, at the option of the company, by such appropriate individual or group captions or subcaptions as the Director may approve.

(Source: Laws 1967, p. 1735.)

(215 ILCS 5/357.2) (from Ch. 73, par. 969.2)

Sec. 357.2. "ENTIRE CONTRACT; CHANGES: This policy, including the endorsements and the attached papers, if any, constitutes the entire contract of insurance. No change in this policy shall be valid until approved by an executive officer of the company and unless such approval be endorsed hereon or attached hereto. No agent has authority to change this policy or to waive any of its provisions."

(1) Premium Notice Required. No policy of accident and health insurance, as enumerated in class 1(b) or 2(a) of Section 4, shall be declared forfeited or lapsed within 6 months after default in payment of any premium installment or interest or any portion thereof, nor shall any such policy be forfeited or lapsed by reason of nonpayment when due of any premium, installment or interest, or any portion thereof, required by the terms of the policy to be paid, within 6 months from the default in payment of such premium, installment or interest, unless a written or printed notice stating the amount of such premium, installment, interest or portion thereof due on such policy, the place where it shall be paid and the person to whom the same is payable, shall have been duly addressed and mailed with the required postage affixed, to the person insured or to the premium payor if other than the insured at the last known post office address of the insured or premium payor, at least 15 days and not more than 45 days prior to the day when same is due and payable before the beginning of the grace period.

Such notice shall also state that unless such premium or other sum due shall be paid to the company or its agent the policy and all payments thereon will become forfeited and void, except as to any right to a surrender value or paid up policy as provided for by the policy. The affidavit of any officer, clerk or agent of the company or of anyone authorized to mail such notice that the notice required by this Section bearing the required postage has been duly addressed and mailed shall be presumptive evidence that such notice has been duly given.

If the notice is given in a manner other than mailing, then physical proof of the receipt of such notice by the proper recipient shall be maintained by the insurer.

(2) Paragraph (1) of this Section shall not apply to cancellable policies which are renewable at the option of the company nor shall it apply to group policies, industrial policies, or any policies upon which premiums are payable monthly or at shorter intervals.

(Source: P.A. 91-357, eff. 7-29-99.)

(215 ILCS 5/357.3) (from Ch. 73, par. 969.3)

Sec. 357.3. "TIME LIMIT ON CERTAIN DEFENSES:

(1) After 2 years from the date of issue of this policy no misstatements, except fraudulent misstatements, made by the applicant in the application for such policy shall be used to void the policy or to deny a claim for loss incurred or disability (as defined in the policy) commencing after the expiration of such 2 year period."

(The foregoing policy provision shall not be so construed as to affect any legal requirement for avoidance of a policy or denial of a claim during such initial 2 year period, nor to limit the application of section 357.15 through section 357.19 in the event of misstatement with respect to age or occupation or other insurance.)

A policy which the insured has the right to continue in force subject to its terms by the timely payment of premium (1) until at least age 50 or, (2) in the case of a policy issued after age 44, for at least 5 years from its date of issue, may contain in lieu of the foregoing the following provisions (from which the clause in parentheses may be omitted at the company's option) under the caption "INCONTESTABLE":

"After this policy has been in force for a period of 2 years during the lifetime of the insured (excluding any period during which the insured is a person with a disability), it shall become incontestable as to the statements contained in the application."

(2) "No claim for loss incurred or disability (as defined in the policy) commencing after 2 years from the date of issue of this policy shall be reduced or denied on the ground that a disease or physical condition not excluded from coverage by name or specific description effective on the date of loss had existed prior to the effective date of coverage of this policy."

(Source: P.A. 99-143, eff. 7-27-15.)

(215 ILCS 5/357.4) (from Ch. 73, par. 969.4)

Sec. 357.4. "GRACE PERIOD: A grace period of ....(insert a number not less than "7" for weekly premium policies, "10" for monthly premium policies and "31" for all other policies) days will be granted for the payment of each premium falling due after the first premium, during which grace period the policy shall continue in force."

(A policy which contains a cancellation provision may add, at the end of the above provision: "Subject to the right of the company to cancel in accordance with the cancellation provision hereof."

A policy in which the company reserves the right to refuse any renewal shall have, at the beginning of the above provision:

"Unless not less than 30 days prior to the premium due date the company has delivered to the insured or has mailed to his last address as shown by the records of the company written notice of its intention not to renew this policy beyond the period for which the premium has been accepted.")

(Source: Laws 1967, p. 1735.)

(215 ILCS 5/357.5) (from Ch. 73, par. 969.5)

Sec. 357.5. "REINSTATEMENT: If any renewal premium be not paid within the time granted the insured for payment, a subsequent acceptance of premium by the company or by any agent duly authorized by the company to accept such premium, without requiring in connection therewith an application for reinstatement, shall reinstate the policy; provided, however, that if the company or such agent requires an application for reinstatement and issues a conditional receipt for the premium tendered, the policy will be reinstated upon approval of such application by the company or, lacking such approval, upon the 45th day following the date of such conditional receipt unless the company has previously notified the insured in writing of its disapproval of such application. The reinstated policy shall cover only loss resulting from such accidental injury as may be sustained after the date of reinstatement and loss due to such sickness as may begin more than 10 days after such date. In all other respects the insured and company shall have the same rights thereunder as they had under the policy immediately before the due date of the defaulted premium, subject to any provisions endorsed hereon or attached hereto in connection with the reinstatement. Any premium accepted in connection with a reinstatement shall be applied to a period for which premium has not been previously paid, but not to any period more than 60 days prior to the date of reinstatement."

The last sentence of the above provision may be omitted from any policy which the insured has the right to continue in force subject to its terms by the timely payment of premiums (1) until at least age 50 or, (2) in the case of a policy issued after age 44, for at least 5 years from its date of issue.

For the purpose of this Section, the phrase "loss resulting from such accidental injury as may be sustained after the date of reinstatement and loss due to such sickness as may begin more than 10 days after such date" shall mean that the reinstated policy shall not cover a loss resulting from accidental injury sustained after the date of lapse of the policy and prior to the date of reinstatement or a loss resulting from sickness which is first manifested after the date of lapse of the policy but not after a date more than 10 days after the date of reinstatement. An accidental injury and a sickness as described in this Section shall be subject to the requirements of Section 357.3 with the exception that references to date of issue and application shall mean date of reinstatement and reinstatement application. All other accidental injuries and sicknesses will be subject to the requirements of 357.3. Provisions endorsed or attached to the policy in connection with the reinstatement shall relate to a disease or physical condition of an insured under the policy.

(Source: P.A. 84-1308.)

(215 ILCS 5/357.6) (from Ch. 73, par. 969.6)

Sec. 357.6. "NOTICE OF CLAIM: Written notice of claim must be given to the company within 20 days after the occurrence or commencement of any loss covered by the policy, or as soon thereafter as is reasonably possible. Notice given by or on behalf of the insured or the beneficiary to the company at ....(insert the location of such office as the company may designate for the purpose), or to any authorized agent of the company, with information sufficient to identify the insured, shall be deemed notice to the company."

In a policy providing a loss-of-time benefit which may be payable for at least 2 years, a company may at its option insert the following between the first and second sentences of the above provision:

"Subject to the qualifications set forth below, if the insured suffers loss of time on account of disability for which indemnity may be payable for at least 2 years, he shall, at least once in every 6 months after having given notice of claim, give to the company notice of continuance of said disability, except in the event of legal incapacity. The period of 6 months following any filing of proof by the insured or any payment by the company on account of such claim or any denial of liability in whole or in part by the company shall be excluded in applying this provision. Delay in the giving of such notice shall not impair the insured's right to any indemnity which would otherwise have accrued during the period of 6 months preceding the date on which such notice is actually given."

(Source: Laws 1967, p. 1735.)

(215 ILCS 5/357.7) (from Ch. 73, par. 969.7)

Sec. 357.7. "CLAIM FORMS: The company, upon receipt of a notice of claim, will furnish to the claimant such forms as are usually furnished by it for filing proofs of loss. If such forms are not furnished within 15 days after the giving of such notice the claimant shall be deemed to have complied with the requirements of this policy as to proof of loss upon submitting, within the time fixed in the policy for filing proofs of loss, written proof covering the occurrence, the character and the extent of the loss for which claim is made."

(Source: Laws 1967, p. 1735.)

(215 ILCS 5/357.8) (from Ch. 73, par. 969.8)

Sec. 357.8. "PROOFS OF LOSS: Written proof of loss must be furnished to the company at its said office in case of claim for loss for which this policy provides any periodic payment contingent upon continuing loss within 90 days after the termination of the period for which the company is liable and in case of claim for any other loss within 90 days after the date of such loss. Failure to furnish such proof within the time required shall not invalidate nor reduce any claim if it was not reasonably possible to give proof within such time, provided such proof is furnished as soon as reasonably possible and in no event, except in the absence of legal capacity, later than one year from the time proof is otherwise required."

(Source: Laws 1967, p. 1735.)

(215 ILCS 5/357.9) (from Ch. 73, par. 969.9)

Sec. 357.9. "TIME OF PAYMENT OF CLAIMS: Indemnities payable under this policy for any loss other than loss for which this policy provides any periodic payment will be paid immediately upon receipt of due written proof of such loss. Subject to due written proof of loss, all accrued indemnities for loss for which this policy provides periodic payment will be paid .... (insert period for payment which must not be less frequently than monthly) and any balance remaining unpaid upon the termination of liability, will be paid immediately upon receipt of due written proof."

All claims and indemnities payable under the terms of a policy of accident and health insurance shall be paid within 30 days following receipt by the insurer of due proof of loss. Failure to pay within such period shall entitle the insured to interest at the rate of 9 per cent per annum from the 30th day after receipt of such proof of loss to the date of late payment, provided that interest amounting to less than one dollar need not be paid. An insured or an insured's assignee shall be notified by the insurer, health maintenance organization, managed care plan, health care plan, preferred provider organization, or third party administrator of any known failure to provide sufficient documentation for a due proof of loss within 30 days after receipt of the claim. Any required interest payments shall be made within 30 days after the payment.

The requirements of this Section shall apply to any policy of accident and health insurance delivered, issued for delivery, renewed or amended on or after 180 days following the effective date of this amendatory Act of 1985. The requirements of this Section also shall specifically apply to any group policy of dental insurance only, delivered, issued for delivery, renewed or amended on or after 180 days following the effective date of this amendatory Act of 1987.

(Source: P.A. 91-605, eff. 12-14-99.)

(215 ILCS 5/357.9a) (from Ch. 73, par. 969.9a)

Sec. 357.9a. Delay in payment of claims. Periodic payments of accrued indemnities for loss-of-time coverage under accident and health policies shall commence not later than 30 days after the receipt by the company of the required written proofs of loss. An insurer which violates this Section if liable under said policy, shall pay to the insured, in addition to any other penalty provided for in this Code, interest at the rate of 9% per annum from the 30th day after receipt of such proofs of loss to the date of late payment of the accrued indemnities, provided that interest amounting to less than one dollar need not be paid.

(Source: P.A. 92-139, eff. 7-24-01.)

(215 ILCS 5/357.10) (from Ch. 73, par. 969.10)

Sec. 357.10. "PAYMENT OF CLAIMS: Indemnity for loss of life will be payable in accordance with the beneficiary designation and the provisions respecting such payment which may be prescribed herein and effective at the time of payment. If no such designation or provision is then effective, such indemnity shall be payable to the estate of the insured. Any other accrued indemnities unpaid at the insured's death may, at the option of the company, be paid either to such beneficiary or to such estate. All other indemnities will be payable to the insured."

The following provisions, or either of them, may be included with the foregoing provision at the option of the company:

"If any indemnity of this policy shall be payable to the estate of the insured, or to an insured or beneficiary who is a minor or otherwise not competent to give a valid release, the company may pay such indemnity, up to an amount not exceeding $....(insert an amount which shall not exceed $1000), to any relative by blood or connection by marriage of the insured or beneficiary who is deemed by the company to be equitably entitled thereto. Any payment made by the company in good faith pursuant to this provision shall fully discharge the company to the extent of such payment.

"Subject to any written direction of the insured in the application or otherwise all or a portion of any indemnities provided by this policy on account of hospital, nursing, medical, or surgical services may, at the company's option and unless the insured requests otherwise in writing not later than the time of filing proofs of such loss, be paid directly to the hospital or person rendering such services; but it is not required that the service be rendered by a particular hospital or person. Nothing in this provision shall prohibit an insurer from providing incentives for insureds to utilize the services of a particular hospital or person."

(Source: P.A. 84-618.)

(215 ILCS 5/357.11) (from Ch. 73, par. 969.11)

Sec. 357.11. "PHYSICAL EXAMINATIONS AND AUTOPSY: The company at its own expense shall have the right and opportunity to examine the person of the insured when and as often as it may reasonably require during the pendency of a claim hereunder and to make an autopsy in case of death where it is not forbidden by law."

(Source: Laws 1967, p. 1735.)

(215 ILCS 5/357.12) (from Ch. 73, par. 969.12)

Sec. 357.12. "LEGAL ACTIONS: No civil action shall be brought to recover on this policy prior to the expiration of 60 days after written proof of loss has been furnished in accordance with the requirements of this policy. No such action shall be brought after the expiration of 3 years after the time written proof of loss is required to be furnished."

(Source: P.A. 79-1362.)

(215 ILCS 5/357.13) (from Ch. 73, par. 969.13)

Sec. 357.13. "CHANGE OF BENEFICIARY: Unless the insured makes an irrevocable designation of beneficiary, the right to change of beneficiary is reserved to the insured and the consent of the beneficiary or beneficiaries shall not be requisite to surrender or assignment of this policy or to any change of beneficiary or beneficiaries, or to any other changes in this policy."

(The first clause of this provision, relating to the irrevocable designation of beneficiary, may be omitted at the company's option.)

(Source: Laws 1967, p. 1735.)