Health care reform became a reality when President Obama signed into law the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA) on March 23rd, 2010. A reconciliation bill, which made changes to PPACA, was signed into law one week later.

Health care reform will extend access to millions of people who need health insurance. It’s a historic step in the right direction. But there’s still a lot of work to do to give Americans a health care system that they can both depend on and afford.

In keeping with the needs of North Carolinians, Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina is preparing for the many changes the new law requires. However, because it’s more than 2,000 pages long, there’s a process to “translate” legislative language to best serve our customers. Federal regulations will also be required to implement many aspects of the law. When those regulations will be finalized is uncertain. (more…)

Save with generic drugs, they are the same as brand name drugs in dosage, safety, active ingredients, and quality.  Generic co-pays are usually lower too.

When a pharmaceutical company develops a new drug, it gets a patent that allows it to be the only seller of that drug. When the patent expires, other companies can offer medications with the same active ingredient which are referred to as generic drugs, and they are generally less expensive, they could be as much as 75% percent less than their brand name equivalents.

Generic drugs are approved by the FDA, and are identical to brand name drugs in terms of quality. Generic drugs also have active drug ingredients that are identical to their brand name equivalents. In fact, the FDA reviews data showing the drug is bioequivalent to the brand name drug, monitors manufacturing practices of the drug, and reviews the active and inactive ingredients used in the drug before it is marketed. (more…)

For the last year, the nation’s attention has been fixed on reforming our healthcare system. On behalf of our nearly 100 million members, Blue Cross and Blue Shield companies are committed to working with the Administration and all other parties to implement this new law.

As we have done throughout our 80-year history, we will continue to help people navigate the healthcare system, especially at this time when many people are confused and unsure of what reform means to them. Being a part of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield family is about so much more than a simple membership card. It is a commitment to service excellence regardless of where you live or what kind of health plan you have. It is financial security in times of healthcare necessity. It is investments in the communities where you live, work and play. (more…)

Historically, Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Carolina has not differentiated rates for children between the ages of 1 to 18. As the medical costs for children have increased, the company needed to begin studying the costs within life stages of the children, too. What was found was that the age cost curve for children does not progressively go up like all other age groups.

The company has seen that the costs of newborns to age 1 have the highest cost of any age under the age of 18. When these changes were made, the two year old rate was actually lowered to more properly reflect the lower costs children have after their first year. And the nine month-old  is also scheduled to get that lower rate when they turn two years old.  Without considering medical trends or other shifts, the decrease could be approximately 33%.

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 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.

Each year,  BCBSNC  rates are adjusted based on what is believed what medical trends will be overall, as well as how it will be distributed within the portfolio. Example, rating for male customers between the ages of 35-39 who live in the Triangle area of our state are currently less than females aged 50-54 that live in the eastern part of our state. In general, females submit more claims, and generally so do people as they get older, and the cost of care in the east is generally more than in the Triangle. As any of those factors shift relative to one another for those groupings of customers they will be adjusted, so that the low-cost customers are not unfairly burdened by the purchases and practices of the higher cost customers.

While high rate increases garner all the headlines, consumer -driven health plans continue to see lower medical trend. The good news is that in January, 3O% of new Individual customers chose HSA products.  We need to continue to tell the utilization story, something that the current debate on reform continues to ignore. To personalize this, just this week a family was at the doctor, and they asked whether the next wellness visit for their very healthy 12 year-old should be every two years or every year, and the physician replied, “Every two years is fine, unless it is covered by your insurance, in which case you may as well take advantage of it.”

Consumerism and personal accountability are the most powerful tools we have in the fight against higher medical costs. Consumer driven health plans incent both. It requires effort and understanding by the customer, the doctors and those who market the products, but it is the opinion, they will certainly be worth that effort. The more customers buy these products, and feel good about exercising their right to understanding what procedures cost, the more it will become a normal part of how care is delivered.

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 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.

As stated in the 2009 financial summary, BLUE CROSS BLUE SHIELD OF NORTH CAROLINA’S profit margin was 2.1% with 87% of premiums collected going towards medical expenses. As is statutorily required, rates are reviewed and approved by the North Carolina Department of Insurance. It is hard to measure market share in the individual market accurately because the people in the market move in and out regularly. However, member population helps BLUE CROSS BLUE SHILD OF NORTH CAROLINA negotiate lower rates with hospitals and other providers.

When shopping for your health coverage, rates do not vary between agents or the company. Rates are established and set each year, regardless who you purchase your coverage through.

Trust the agent you are working with – what makes the difference in who you purchase your coverage through – CUSTOMER SERVICE is the ONLY difference, don’t let any agent tell you their premiums are cheaper or their products are better. If you are told that, you need to find someone else to work with.

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 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.

Posted on 21. Dec, 2009 in A Closer Look
 

MYTH: Most Americans support the idea of a government-run health insurance plan.
FACT: There is simply no consensus. Where the majority stands on this issue depends considerably on how the question is phrased. If a public option is couched as simply another choice — one independent of the options they have now — of course most people say they’re for it. But when more detail is provided in evaluating the concept, opinions tend to be more negative.

For example, while a Washington Post/ABC News poll[1] did find that 57 percent of respondents supported a public option (versus 40 percent opposed), an NBC/WSJ poll[2] found that 48 percent of respondents felt a public option would “reduce access to their choice of doctors and would lower costs by limiting medical treatment options,” versus 45 percent that believed it would “help lower health care costs and provide coverage for uninsured Americans.”

Other recent polls indicate public skepticism about the direction of current health care reform proposals – particularly as they relate to a government-run health plan and health coverage costs. An October Wall Street Journal/NBC poll found that significantly more Americans think health care costs will increase under reform (47 percent) than believe reform will reduce costs (13 percent). Around the same time, a poll of likely voters conducted for the Civitas Organization[3] found North Carolinians deeply divided on this issue, with 49.3 percent of voters saying they disapprove of the health care plan being proposed by President Obama and Congress and 40.3 percent supporting it.

MYTH: Proposed health reform legislation will not tax the middle-class.
FACT: The Senate health reform bill includes indirect taxes on health care consumers, in the form of $11 billion in taxes on health insurers, drug companies and medical equipment manufacturers. Consumers will pay those costs in higher premiums. Some middle-class consumers could also see their cost impacted by the Senate’s 40 percent excise tax on “Cadillac Plans.”

If cost is the number one problem in health care, then reining in costs should be the number one priority in health care reform. New taxes and fees will increase costs for those who already have coverage.

(more…)

CAN YOU PURCHASE A “CHILD ONLY” POLICY?

  As an agency, we receive many calls each day from parents who are looking to purchase private health insurance for their child and/or children.  Circumstances could vary from removing a dependent off an employee group health insurance policy to saving money in premium, a child reaching maturity, a new birth, marriage and an array of different circumstances.  The answer is YES… Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Carolina (BCBSNC) provides health insurance beginning at birth.  To apply for private insurance for your child click here and complete the form with all information and we will immediately send you an email with the quote and on-line application for Blue Advantage.    The good news, child only policies are affordable and provide excellent insurance coverage. You can select from a variety of coverage that works in your budget, 100%, 80% or 70% plans.  With Blue Advantage, Plan A, you pay just a $15.00 co-payment to visit your primary care physician and only $30.00 to see a specialist, neither are subject to the deductible or co-insurance.   Prescription drug benefits are available under these Blue Advantage plans with only a $10.00 co-payment for generic drugs, $35.00 for preferred and $50.00 for non-preferred and 25% co-insurance for specialty drugs.  Plan B and C require a deductible before prescription co-payments begin, Plan A does not. (more…)

Provide incentives for employees to get active and eat right

Incentives can both support and motivate participation among employees. Consider both formal or company incentives and informal or program rewards and prizes from local resources to reinforce participation in workplace wellness programs. Either way, it is important to provide incentives that are attractive and meaningful to your employees.

(more…)

If you have a child, you’ve probably heard those familiar words, “Can we keep him?” Dog’s aren’t just a man’s best friend anymore; they’ve become the whole family’s friend. If you’re like any typical family, the children will probably spend the most time with your new dog. This is why it’s very important you teach your child how to take care of him. Here are a few dog rules to teach them:

1. Make sure you remember to feed the dog and give him fresh water each day. Explain that dogs, especially puppies, need nutrition each day for energy and proper growth. If you have an outside dog, it’s especially important that his water dish is changed everyday. Standing water is a breeding place for mosquitoes. Also dirt can get flung into their dish. It is equally important for small children to be supervised when dealing with this type of responsibility. Sometimes smaller children can be too eager to help. Explain to your children why we don’t feed dog’s certain foods such as sweets. Dog food is made to meet their dog’s nutritional needs and sweets can make their dog sick.

(more…)

Blue Advantage health insurance through Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Carolina is our most popular individual health plan in NC.  This is a traditional PPO plan with doctor office co-payments as low as $15 for your primary care physician and as low as $30 for a specialist.  BCBSNC allows you to build your own plan, selecting deductibles ranging from $250.00 up to $5000.00 with co-insurance starting at 50% up to 100%.  Blue Advantage Plans also allow an add on option of Dental Blue and/or maternity coverage as well.   (more…)

A traditional PPO, BCBSNC’s Blue Advantage offers great coverage, a range of premium and deductible options to meet your budget.  You can provide coverage for your child/children or for your entire family.  Often times, if covered under a group sponsored plan, an employee will move their children to a private plan to save in premium.

•   Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Carolina has a broad range of premium and deductible options for you to pick from.  With predictable co-payments and the largest provider network in the State of North Carolina, this local company has been serving the State of North Carolina for more than 70 years offering North Carolinians the most popular individual health insurance plan in the state. (more…)