The U.S. Justice Department has expanded an investigation of Blue Cross/Blue Shield licensees’ alleged anti-competitive agreements with hospitals beyond Michigan, where it filed an antitrust lawsuit against the insurer.

NCIA Insurance Agency, a subsidiary of CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield, will stop writing new policies April 1, as it terminates its “exclusive life carrier” partnership with Fort Dearborn Life Insurance Co., now Dearborn National.

While health insurers plan to cover administration of the H1N1 virus for the majority of their Maryland customers, insurance and health department officials would like to see them cover everyone.