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.

Get more bang for your buck by eating high protein vegetables. They are not only nutritious, they contain necessary vitamins, minerals and nutrients. According to the Vegetarian Resource Group, most people need 0.8g of protein for every kilogram they weigh or about 0.36g of protein for every pound they weight. High protein vegetables are a great source of nutrition whether you are a vegetarian or a meat lover.   Beans and Lentils: Beans and lentils are nutritious sources of protein. They are filling, tasty and are usually not too expensive. Some examples include soybeans, lentils, and peas. Soybeans have a high level of protein, 29g per one cup cooked, while peas have 9g of protein per one cup cooked. Add protein to your soups by throwing in some beans or lentils. You can also try putting some cooked beans or lentils into your salad, or your sandwich wrap. They add heartiness, flavor and nutrition.

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.

STAY INFORMED – IF BLUE CROSS BLUE SHIELD OF NORTH CAROLINA  DEVELOPED A PLAN FOR PET INSURANCE, WOULD YOU BUY PET INSURANCE FOR YOUR ANIMALS?

Pet health insurance is still relatively new, and many pet owners are still unaware of their options. You have to decide for yourself, which pet insurance company is the right one for you, and if it is worth it for you to pay the premiums in the event that something could go wrong. Accidents do happen, and pet insurance after the fact, is not going to help as they do not cover pre-existing conditions.

Many pet insurance providers do have different plans available, for different scenarios. Many pet owners have accidental coverage only. I urge you to check the different providers listed for your area, and look carefully at what each plan covers before you make your decision.

Look very carefully at the fine print so that you’re not surprised when you file a claim and find that it’s denied.

 You need to know:

Is there a physical exam required to get coverage?

Is there a waiting period?

What percentage of the bill do they pay — after the deductible?

Are payments capped in any way?

Are there co-pays?

Does the plan cover pre-existing conditions?

What about chronic or recurring medical problems?

Can you choose any vet or animal hospital?

Are prescription drugs covered?

Are you covered if you travel with your pet?

Does the policy pay if your pet is being treated and dies?

Our Opinion:

If you love your pet and you don’t have the money to cover an emergency medical situation that could cost thousands of dollars, I think you should consider pet insurance. You’ll get the lowest price if you buy when the animal is young.

Remember, insurance is designed to cover you from a catastrophic financial loss. So choose the highest deductible you can reasonably afford. That will help lower the monthly premium.

The bottom line: If you buy pet insurance and don’t use it, consider yourself lucky. But with pets living longer these days, your chances of using the policy are greater than ever.

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.

Flexible Group Health Plans for North Carolina Employees of Small, Medium and Large Businesses from Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina.

Jerry Ballard and Associates d/b/a NC Health Plans is pleased to introduce you to North Carolina Group Health Insurance Plans from Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina, the leading provider of group health and life insurance in North Carolina.

Choose from a variety of popular Major Medical plans, supplemental plans and term life plans to create a powerful package of benefits for your employees.

Plans include a choice of deductibles, low co-payments for doctor office visits and wellness benefits such as physicals, prescription drug coverage and unlimited lifetime benefits

What BCBSNC group health plan is best for your company?  Submit your online application by completing the employee census form, if you have 25 or fewer employees. If you have more than 25 employees, please print out and complete the 26+ Census Form and fax to Jerry Ballard & Associates, 919-287-2777.

We will email your Group Health Plan quote. Please note that we may have to call you once with questions to ensure the accuracy of our group health quote.

Any questions? Feel free to call the helpful professionals at Jerry Ballard & Associates, your independent North Carolina health and life insurance agency: toll free 888-765-5400 or 252-726-5400. Our goal is to provide you with exceptional customer service.

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.

Smoking Increases Bladder Cancer Risk More Than Thought

Aug. 16, 2011 – Smoking may increase risk for bladder cancer even more than previously believed, and this risk is comparable among male and female smokers. The new study appears in the Aug. 17 issue of the Journal of the American Medical Association.

The American Cancer Society estimates that there will be about 69,250 new cases of bladder cancer diagnosed in 2011 and about 14,990 deaths from bladder cancer.

“Changing the composition of cigarettes may be associated with the strengthening of the association between smoking and bladder cancer risk,” says study author Neal D. Freedman, PhD, MPH, an investigator at the National Cancer Institute in Rockville, Md.

Tobacco, Cigarettes Changed Over Time (more…)

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 a 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.

Sometimes major life changes can suddenly leave you without proper health insurance.

Are you a recent graduate?

Are you no longer covered by your parents’ plan?

Are you between jobs?

Are you working a temporary or part-time job?

New employee waiting to qualify for your company plan?

Temporary health insurance is a fast, affordable and easy solution for people who are currently without health coverage.  CLICK HERE to get an online quote and submit your online application in just a few minutes. You can be covered as early as 12:01 am the following day or select a specific date in the future for your temporary health insurance plan to begin.

Start your North Carolina Health Insurance as early as tomorrow if you apply by midnight tonight.   One of our qualified agents at NC Health Plans will be happy to assist you in selecting the best health insurance plan for you and your family.

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.

As if we needed another reason to get out onto the water, the fact remains that whether you are looking for it or not, kayaking is a form of exercise, not to mention the beautiful settings that surround you.  Kayaking gives us a balanced approach to our cardiovascular system and our upper body strength.

These health benefits are often a side effect of simply doing what you love most.  During kayaking the low impact movements may improve joint health in some people.  The extra calories burned through kayaking may also lead to natural weight loss, which in turn can help aching joints.  Kayaking also is a great way to relax and reduce stress.  It is a great sport to help with physical and emotional healing.

Kayaking is a great way to promote a healthy lifestyle for your family too!  Kids of all ages love can enjoy kayaking.  Safety is the main goal when involving children in this sport.  Life preservers are a non-negotiable.  Children should ride with an adult several times before venturing on their own and must be supervised by an adult at all times.  Keep in mind when children are learning to kayak it is best to start in calm shallow water until they get the hang of the movement.   Half an hour to an hour is just right for all first trips regardless of age. You may also want to make certain that children are familiar with the water, experienced in swimming, physical strength, and coordination level.  So enjoy kayaking !  Get your family on the water and begin a healthy life!

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 to one of our qualified 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.

In a press release today issued by Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Carolina,  a rate request was filed with the North Carolina Department of Insurance (DOI) for a rate increase of ZERO PERCENT for Blue Options HSA and Blue Saver. The requested rate increase for Blue Advantage is 6.35 percent.  According to the press release  Blue Advantage and Blue Options HSA currently serve more than 347,000 customers under the age of 65. 

The ZERO PERCENT base rate increase for the Blue Options HSA and Blue Saver products underscores that when customers have a greater financial stake in the decisions they make, they become more savvy health care consumers. The growth they are seeing in these products shows that consumers are comfortable taking a more active role in managing their health care expenses. (more…)

You may have seen the sport out on the beach.  While many people find paddle boarding fun, many also see the health benefits with this popular sport.   If you are an avid water lover, and ready for a good challenge, then stand up paddle boarding might be the perfect combination for your summer activity.  Also, more activity promotes good health so having fun with your summer activities can improve overall health and fitness. 

According to exercise experts, this sport is a full body workout.  Paddle boarding strengthens your core, improves balance, and best of all burns calories.   When you paddle you rotate using your abs.  You may also develop muscles on the core areas (hips, trunk and buttocks). You can contact most local surf shops to find paddle board lessons which are being taught up and down the East Coast.   Our agency owner worked closely with AB Surf Shop on Atlantic Beach to purchase an awesome board for a Christmas gift and we were very happy with our purchase.

Paddle boarding does take a little practice.  The hands-on experience is challenging.  Although regular practice will guarantee success, most people usually are able to stand within 10 minutes.  Paddle boarding is an active sport for any athletic ability and any size person. 

Paddle boarding is a fast growing water sport.  Remember it is important to stay active and healthy.  Not only do you get health benefits from your healthy lifestyle, but you can save money when purchasing private health insurance and get discounts in your premium due to excellent 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 to one of our qualified 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.