As you may be aware, the Annual Enrollment Period for health insurance will begin on November 15th. If you a currently enrolled in a BCBSNC plan, you might be unsure what steps you need to take, if any, during the Annual Enrollment Period (AEP) if you want to keep your plan or change your plan for 2015.  That is why Blue Cross Blue Shield of NC has created Blue Map.

Blue Map is a tool created especially for BCBSNC members who purchased individual plans to help guide them through the renewal process. If you are enrolled in a plan through BCBSNC and it is not through an employer and you’re not enrolled in Medicare, then you are likely on an individual plan. Your steps during AEP are based on several different factors and Blue Map can help you determine which steps you should take when Annual Enrollment begins .

Members can access Blue Map through the BCBSNC website. You will be prompted to answer the following questions and, based on your answers, Blue Map will help guide you in the right direction. Here is a preview of what questions to expect through Blue Map:

1. Are you currently a member?

2. Do you get your health insurance through work?

3. Are you enrolled in a Medicare plan?

4. Do you have a Grandfathered Plan? (If you enrolled in your plan on or before March 23, 2010 and no changes have been made, you are likely on a Grandfathered plan)

5. Do you have a Transitional Plan? (If you enrolled in your plan between March 24, 2010 and October 1, 2013, have not made any changes, and did not move to a new Affordable Care Act plan, you are likely on a Transitional plan)

6. Do you get a subsidy (tax credit) from the Health Insurance Marketplace for your monthly health insurance bills?

Your answers to these questions will determine what your next steps should be. Blue Map is a simple, straight forward tool that can help members understand exactly what they will need to do, if anything, to ensure they keep their plan or move to a new plan in 2015.

For more information on Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Carolina 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 experienced and professional agents.  Let us help you navigate through the Health Care Reform changes in accordance with the new regulations of The Affordable Care Act, also known as Obama care.

You will need a new BCBSNC plan for 2014.
+ BCBSNC automatically map you to a new 2014 plan and send you that rate in September. To maximize savings, it is important for you to explore your options.
+ Starting October 1 in accordance with Obama Care, you will be able to go to Member Services  to link to the Health Insurance Marketplace where you can confirm subsidy eligibility. Compare your rate from our September rate letter to the rate of a new 2014 plan with subsidies or a low cost plan. This side by side comparison will help you decide what is best for you.
+ Remember, changes to the plan you were mapped to must be made by December 15, 2013 for the plan to be effective January 1, 2014.
+ If you make no changes, your mapped plan will start January 1, 2014.

Here’s what you should know about your plan:
+ The rate you pay for health insurance has always changed due to rising medical costs, but your rate may increase even more because of changes under health care reform. Some of the changes include increased benefits and new taxes and fees.
+ You may qualify for new federal subsidies that can help offset your monthly premium.
+ On October 1, log into Member Services and we will link you to the Health Insurance Marketplace so you can confirm subsidy
eligibility and ensure maximized savings.
+ Another way to save on premium costs is to consider one of the many new, low cost plan options such as Blue Value or Blue Select.

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). It would be our pleasure to help you navigate through the Health Care Reform changes in accordance with the new regulations of Obama care. Call us for details.

Information from a BCBSNC publication on 8/12/13.

Already a Blue Cross Blue Shield individual member? We know you have questions about how to prepare your family for Health Care Reform.  Jerry Ballard & Associates has the perfect personalized tool for you…. BLUE MAP!

Blue Map is on online tool created by BCBSNC to help address your 2014 Health Insurance options.  This tool will help you find the right solution.  Just answer a few simple questions, and get a personalized recommendation based on your member profile that will outline your options.  This interactive, easy-to-use web application is designed to provide you with personal options, explaining the choices you have in choosing a plan.  Check out Blue Map today as you begin to prepare for your 2014 Health Insurance needs.

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.

The information in this article was taken from “Health Care Reform is Coming” from BCBSNC on April 2013.

Trust that Jerry Ballard & Associates will provide you with the tools and resources that will navigate you through the Health Care Reform process!

Blue Map: This is an interactive, easy-to-use web application designed to provide you with a personalized recommendation explaining the options you in choosing a plan.  BCBSNC will be sending you information on how to use Blue Map, so look for it in the mail.  In addition, we will provide support and assistance to you via our website and by calling our office.

Events will be held throughout North Carolina to explain the nuances of health care reform and provide an opportunity for attendees to ask questions. BCBSNC will let you know when we’re coming to a town near you.

A variety of BCBSNC plan options should make finding the right solution easy for each and every member.

The BCBSNC health care reform website has content that clarifies health care reform as well. As your agent, we are ready to assist you.

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.

The information in this article was taken from “Health Care Reform is Coming” from BCBSNC on April 2013.

Milestones and Dates that you will want to keep in mind as Health Care Reform comes closer:

June 2013: Blue Map should help you find the right solution. Just answer a few simple questions, and get a personalized recommendation based on your member profile that will outline your options.

Summer 2013: BCBSNC events will be hosted throughout North Carolina. We will let you know when we are coming to a town near you.

September 2013: Enrollment begins in one month. You will receive your renewal/enrollment kit. Will you have changes or need new plan options?

October 2013: New health care reform plans are available for a 2014 effective date. Have you completed your Blue Map? You can review your options and get a quote.

December 2013: Deadline is approaching to make changes to your current plan or sign up for a new one.

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.

The information in this article was taken from “Health Care Reform is Coming” from BCBSNC on April 2013.