NCHealthPlans.com Health News » BCBSNC

Subscribers and dependents must satisfy a 12-month waiting period for pre-existing conditions under this health benefit plan. Any waiting period for pre-existing conditions begins on the effective date of this health benefit plan. During a waiting period for pre-existing conditions, neither you nor your dependents will receive benefits for conditions for which medical advice, diagnosis, care or treatment was recommended or received within the 12 months immediately preceding the effective date of this health benefit plan. However, provided there was no significant break in coverage, a waiting period for pre-existing conditions will not apply to any condition first identified, treated and covered under prior creditable coverage. Medical records may be ordered to make this determination. Genetic information [variable] is never treated as a pre-existing condition.

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The Maternity endorsement for Blue Cross Blue Shield Individual Plans may be purchased at the original issuance of the policy at a policy renewal (if the policy has been in effect for at least six months), or within 30 days of marriage or when adding a spouse as a dependent. If the application to add the maternity endorsement is submitted and approved during the renewal open enrollment period (October through November 30), it will become effective on January 1st and premium adjustments for any changes in coverage will apply, effective January 1.The maternity endorsement is only available for adult females, either subscriber (more…)

To be eligible for Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Carolina Health Insurance coverage, you must be a North Carolina resident under 65 years of age, not be covered by another health insurance policy, not be enrolled in Medicare, and qualify medically. Applicants must be able to provide one of the following as proof of residency: voter registration in NC, NC driver’s license, or current NC tax return. In addition, applicants are required to submit a Social Security Number.

Multiple Coverage

You may be covered under only one health program offered by BCBSNC, except with special permission. In that case, the total benefits paid will not be more than the allowed amount.

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Bullying is when one child picks on another child repeatedly. Bullying can be physical, verbal, or social. It can happen at school, on the playground, on the school bus, in the neighborhood, or over the Internet.

When Your Child Is Bullied

Help your child learn how to respond by teaching your child how to:
      1. Look the bully in the eye.
      2. Stand tall and stay calm in a difficult situation.
      3. Walk away.

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The colorful quarters of the plate – green for vegetables, red for fruits, orange for grains, and purple for protein – are aimed at nudging Americans away from meals dominated by meat and starch and towards meals made up mostly of plant-based foods. 

MyPlate promotes fruits and vegetables, which cover half the circle, with grains and proteins such as meet, fish and poultry a quarter each.  Dairy (e.g. a glass of milk or food, such as cheese or yogurt) rests to the side.  Desserts are – well – in the desert, nowhere to be found.

Blue Cross Blue Shield of NC offers discounts in premium to individuals in excellent health.   Practice fitness and good nutrition at an early age and reduce the risk of health problems, regardless of age.

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Many children are enamored with horses and long for riding lessons. Horseback riding can be a great pleasure providing terrific exercise for young riders (as well as the horses!). Often, children who learn to ride continue horseback riding into adulthood, helping to keep them fit and healthy.  Exposure to good fitness at an early age helps your children become fitness conscious through adulthood. 

Blue Cross Blue Shield of NC offers discounts in premium to individuals in excellent health.   Practice fitness and good nutrition at an early age and reduce the risk of health problems, regardless of age.

Recommendations for Safe, Fun Riding

While experts will stress that a child’s size, strength, ability to focus and take direction, and desire to learn horseback riding are the best indicators that they are ready to begin formal lessons, the typical age range for beginners is between 5-7 years old. Parents should make sure that their child wears proper attire, including long pants, sturdy shoes or boots, and most importantly, a well fitted safety helmet.  Children must be advised as to the importance of following all of the rules and asking questions if they have concerns or do not understand what is expected of them. Horse riding instructors who work with children are typically very patient and understanding, hoping to give children positive experiences in hopes that they will develop a lifelong appreciation of the sport.

Competitive Horseback Riding

Many stables that offer lessons hold occasional competitions, open to all riders, even beginners. Riders are normally categorised by age and ability, with inexperienced riders participating in walks and trots. More advanced riders may be offered the opportunity to showcase their skills in jumping and putting their horse through specified paces. If children choose to compete, parents and instructors should be sure that the emphasis remains on fun and sportsmanship, rather than only winning. Everyone likes to win, but kids should understand that the benefits of horseback riding go far beyond accumulating an assortment of ribbons and trophies. Horseback riding is great exercise, offers opportunities for fresh air fun, teaches responsibility and caring toward animals, and is enjoyed by people of all ages, making it an ideal family activity. 

For more information on health insurance coverage in North Carolina, please visit our website at www.nchealthplans.com or call our toll free number 888-765-5400 and speak with one of our professional agents. Our agency provides coverage for health insurance in North Carolina through Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Carolina (BCBSNC). You may qualify for a 15% healthy lifestyle discount if you are in excellent health. Call us for details.

They say that good things come in small packages. That is especially true for the blueberry. This fruit has been touted as a superfood, an antioxidant powerhouse and a disease fighter, with good reason. In addition to being low-calorie and high in dietary fiber, blueberries are rich in vitamin C and phytonutrients beneficial for cardiovascular health, cancer prevention, as well as vision, brain and digestive health. Blueberries are shrub fruits and belong to the Ericaceae family (as do cranberries and bilberries)

Blueberries: A Whole Bunch of Antioxidants

In a Tufts University study, nearly 60 fruits and vegetables were analyzed to measure their antioxidant capability. Blueberries were rated among the highest. This means they are powerful free-radical destroyers, which are charged molecules (from many sources, such as pollution) that, when combined with oxygen, may attack the body’s cells and cause cellular damage. This free-radical damage can contribute to the development of heart disease, cancer, macular degeneration and cognitive decline.

Don’t forget, healthy lifestyle promotes good health which leads to reducing health insurance premiums.  Apply for BCBSNC today and see if you qualify for their healthy lifestyle discount.

For more information on health insurance coverage in North Carolina, please visit our website at www.nchealthplans.com or call our toll free number 888-765-5400 and speak with one of our professional agents. Our agency provides coverage for health insurance in North Carolina through Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Carolina (BCBSNC). You may qualify for a 15% healthy lifestyle discount if you are in excellent health. Call us for details.

Create an environment that is conducive to doing homework. Youngsters need a permanent work space in their bedroom or another part of the home that offers privacy.

– Schedule ample time for homework.
– Establish a household rule that the TV set stays off during homework time.
– Supervise computer and internet use.
– Be available to answer questions and offer assistance, but never do a child’s homework for her.

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During life transitions, you can’t afford to go without health insurance coverage.  Unexpected illnesses and accidents happen every day and the resulting medical bills can be disastrous.   Let an Assurant Health Short Term Medical plan offered by NC Health Plans provide you and your loved ones with the peace of mind you need at a price you can afford.

Apply today and be covered as early as tomorrow!  Get coverage for the exact number of days needed and save 20% by making one up-front payment or pay as you go

 Keep your own doctor and get 24-hour access to doctors by telephone.  Ensure your satisfaction with our 10-day money back guarantee.

Even a short period without health insurance is not worth the risk. Get your FREE, no-obligation quote today!  Please do not cancel any existing medical insurance coverage until you have received written acceptance for coverage from Assurant Health.

For more information on health insurance coverage in North Carolina, please visit our website at www.nchealthplans.com or call our toll free number 888-765-5400 and speak with one of our professional agents. Our agency provides coverage for health insurance in North Carolina through Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Carolina (BCBSNC). You may qualify for a 15% healthy lifestyle discount if you are in excellent health. Call us for details.

Most schools regularly send schedules of cafeteria menus home. With this advance information, you can plan on packing lunch on the days when the main course is one your child prefers not to eat.  Try to get your child’s school to stock healthy choices such as fresh fruit, low-fat dairy products, water and 100 percent fruit juice in the vending machines.  Each 12-ounce soft drink contains approximately 10 teaspoons of sugar and 150 calories. Drinking just one can of soda a day increases a child’s risk of obesity by 60%. Restrict your child’s soft drink consumption.

The information in this article : Back to School Tips is from the American Academy of Pediatrics Web site ( http://www.aap.org ).

Blue Cross Blue Shield of NC offers discounts in premium to individuals in excellent health.   Practice fitness and good nutrition at an early age and reduce the risk of health problems, regardless of age.

For more information on health insurance coverage in North Carolina, please visit our website at www.nchealthplans.com or call our toll free number 888-765-5400 and speak with one of our professional agents. Our agency provides coverage for health insurance in North Carolina through Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Carolina (BCBSNC). You may qualify for a 15% healthy lifestyle discount if you are in excellent health. Call us for details.

North Carolina consumers looking for a lower-cost health plan now have new options to consider from the state’s leading health insurer (Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Carolina)   Blue Advantage Saver offers consumers low premiums and the peace of mind of knowing they are covered in the event of a catastrophic health event.

Blue Advantage Saver is a bridge between the rich benefits of the traditional PPO plan, Blue Advantage, and the customer accountability of Blue Options HSA.

While all three Blue Advantage Saver plans protect the customers from unexpected medical expenses, the customer’s share of the cost varies by each plan.   As an example, consider the customer’s out-of-pocket amount for non-preventive visits to a health care provider, which are covered under all three plan designs.  All preventive care visits are covered at 100%.

Blue Advantage Saver 1 – Customers can make unlimited non-preventive visits to a primary care physician, each with a $25 copayment.

Blue Advantage Saver 2– Customers can make up to four non-preventive visits per year to a primary care physician, each with a $25 copayment.  All additional visits would be subject to your deductible and coinsurance.

Blue Advantage Saver 3 – No limit on non-preventive visits, but each visit is subject to your deductible and coinsurance.

Emergency room visits, urgent care visits and visits to any specialist are subject to deductible and coinsurance on all Blue Advantage Saver plans.  Blue Advantage Saver plans 2 and 3 offer $10 generic drugs, but do not offer any coverage for brand name drugs.  Blue Advantage Saver 1 offers coverage for brand-name drugs, subject to deductible and copayments or coinsurance.

For more information on health insurance coverage in North Carolina, please visit our website at www.nchealthplans.com or call our toll free number 888-765-5400 and speak with one of our professional agents. Our agency provides coverage for health insurance in North Carolina through Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Carolina (BCBSNC). You may qualify for a 15% healthy lifestyle discount if you are in excellent health. Call us for details.

MAKING THE FIRST DAY EASIER
Remind your child that she is not the only student who is a bit uneasy about the first day of school. Teachers know that students are anxious and will make an extra effort to make sure everyone feels as comfortable as possible.
Point out the positive aspects of starting school: It will be fun. She’ll see old friends and meet new ones. Refresh her positive memories about previous years, when she may have returned home after the first day with high spirits because she had a good time.  Find another child in the neighborhood with whom your youngster can walk to school or ride with on the bus.  If you feel it is appropriate, drive your child (or walk with her) to school and pick her up on the first day.

The information in this article : Back to School Tips is from the American Academy of Pediatrics Web site ( http://www.aap.org ).

Blue Cross Blue Shield of NC offers child only health insurance policies.  As you prepare for the 1st Day of School, don’t forget about insurance especially if sports are a part of your child’s school experience.

For more information on health insurance coverage in North Carolina, please visit our website at www.nchealthplans.com or call our toll free number 888-765-5400 and speak with one of our professional agents. Our agency provides coverage for health insurance in North Carolina through Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Carolina (BCBSNC). You may qualify for a 15% healthy lifestyle discount if you are in excellent health. Call us for details.