Stress is a normal psychological and physiological response to the ever-increasing demands of daily life.  Surveys show that many Americans suffer from stress at some point during the year and is it any wonder?  Managing the pressures of work, home and family can be taxing to say the least and the stress created can take a toll on both body and mind.  For that reason, stress management is an increasingly important part of preventive care, and BCBSNC is committed to making preventive care a top priority.

In looking at the causes of stress, remember that your brain comes hard-wired with an alarm system for your protection.  When your brain perceives a threat, it signals your body to release a burst of hormones to fuel your capacity for a quick response, often called the “fight-or-flight” response.  Once the threat is gone, however, your body is meant to return to a normal, relaxed state.  Unfortunately, the nonstop stress of modern life means that your alarm system rarely shuts off.   Without stress management, your body oftentimes remains on high alert and over time, high levels of stress can negatively affect your health, quality of life or relationships.  Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Carolina understands the importance of stress management in maintaining good health.

One way to manage stress effectively is to practice relaxation.  In fact, developing relaxation techniques is an essential part of stress management.  If you are an overachiever, you may put relaxation low on your priority list, but don’t shortchange yourself.  Purposeful relaxation intended to recharge your mind and body is widely recognized as an important habit of highly effective individuals.  Common relaxation techniques include meditation, tai chi and yoga, but there are more active ways of achieving relaxation as well.  For example, walking outdoors or participating in sports activities can also help reduce stress and create a more relaxed mind and body.  No matter which relaxation technique you choose, it is important that you select a technique that works for you and one that you can practice regularly to help reduce stress.

Taking a positive step toward stress free living will get you one step closer to a healthy lifestyle and that makes BCBSNC smile.  Get your free rate quote now and enjoy all the benefits of becoming a member of BCBSNC.

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 Obamacare. Call us for details.

One of the main focuses of Health Care Reform is making it easier for consumers to compare plans as they shop for health insurance. Therefore, health insurance plans have been separated into metallic levels (bronze, silver, gold and platinum) to indicate the level of coverage and insurance benefits in each plan.

•BRONZE: Medical costs are covered at approximately 60%. Ideal for people who want lower monthly premiums and don’t expect to need a lot of medical services.

•SILVER: Medical costs are covered at approximately 70%. Ideal for those who want to keep their monthly premiums and out-of-pocket medical costs more balanced.

•GOLD: Medical costs are covered at approximately 80%. If you receive medical services regularly, and you’re okay with paying a higher monthly premium to have more of your health care costs covered, this level of plan is one to consider.

•PLATINUM: Medical costs are covered at approximately 90%. If you receive medical services frequently, and  you’re willing to pay more each month for the lowest health care costs, consider this plan level.

All health insurance plans must fall within these metallic levels in 2014, except for the catastrophic plans for people under 30 or that meet certain hardship requirements. Blue Cross Blue Shield of NC catastrophic plans, however, do meet bronze level requirements.

All plans have an out-of-pocket (OOP) limit of $6,350.1 This includes costs such as prescription drugs, copayments, etc. Your OOP limit does not include premiums or costs not covered by BCBSNC. Family plans have a higher OOP limit of $12,700. (You may, however, have a plan with a lower OOP limit.)

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 Obamacare. Call us for details.

 

Having a baby is stressful enough without added financial pressure and that is why Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Carolina is proud to offer maternity care at no additional charge.   In the past, many insurance companies could turn a woman down if she applied for coverage while she was pregnant and many health plans considered pregnancy a pre-existing condition. Under the Affordable Care Act, however, all qualified health insurance plans now cover pregnancy and childbirth and this is true even if your pregnancy begins before your coverage takes effect.

What this means is that BCBSNC will not increase your premium based on your sex or health condition, including conditions such as pregnancy.  Blue Cross Blue Shield of NC is committed to Women’s Health and that is why covering the basics of pregnancy and childbirth at no additional cost is a fundamental part of essential coverage.

Once your baby is born, breastfeeding and Primary Care Interventions to promote breastfeeding are also covered at 100%, including certain breast pumps.  In addition, a Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Carolina health plan will cover your baby’s wellness visits and vaccinations at 100% so that you can be sure your post pregnancy health needs are also met.  Because Blue really does love babies, a BCBSNC individual health plan includes pediatric dental and vision coverage, up to age 19 so that you can not only have your baby, but raise your baby with confidence that his or her health needs are covered.

Babies make the world a nicer place to live and a Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Carolina health plan makes having a baby a nicer 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). It would be our pleasure to help you navigate through the Health Care Reform changes in accordance with the new regulations of Obamacare. Call us for details.

Perhaps you’ve been noticing a few more pink t-shirts than normal.  Or maybe, your favorite NFL quarterback is sporting a pair of pink running shoes.  That’s because October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month and Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Carolina is proud to support women’s health.  In fact, preventive care, including mammograms, is covered at 100% in every BCBSNC health plan available.

According to the National Breast Cancer Foundation, preventive care is the key to successful treatment of breast cancer.  Early detection is the number one life saving measure and when breast cancer is detected in its early stages, the 5-year survival rate is 98%.  For this reason, every person should know the signs and symptoms of breast cancer and be proactive in having any abnormalities screened by a healthcare professional.

Regular screening for breast cancer is imperative as your doctor can check for signs of breast cancer before you have any noticeable symptoms.  Mammograms can often show a lump in the breast before it can be felt.  Women 40 years old and older should have 1 mammogram every 1 or 2 years and women younger than 40 who have risk factors for breast cancer should ask their healthcare professional whether mammograms are advisable and how often they should get one. Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Carolina makes this easy and affordable by offering 100% preventive care coverage.

Because early detection is the key to successful treatment, it is important for every woman to have an early detection plan.  This plan should include performing monthly self breast exams, regularly visiting your doctor for scheduled clinical breast exams, and following your healthcare provider’s recommendation guidelines for mammograms, which depends on age and health history.  Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Carolina supports women’s health and the fight against breast cancer.  Join the BCBSNC family and discover why when it comes to preventive care and early detection, Blue is the new pink!

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 Obamacare. Call us for details.

In August, 2014 Jerry Ballard was inducted by Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Carolina into their Hall of Fame, the highest honor bestowed upon any employee, agent or broker.   Jerry was recognized for outstanding performance and production in the field of health insurance.   Jerry has led the company in individual sales for the last 10 consecutive years and has also been awarded by Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Carolina (BCBSNC) membership in its President’s Club as a top agent every year since its inception.  Jerry is a Charter Member of that exclusive group and has been serving both groups and individuals in the insurance business throughout North Carolina for over 40 years.

Jerry  leads his company with an impressive team of Agents that provide exemplary service to all of their customers throughout North Carolina.  Jerry expanded his business model to the internet in 2000 providing customers the opportunity to shop for their health insurance online 24/7.  Jerry resides in Morehead City, North Carolina with his wife and business partner, Cathy.

Webster’s Dictionary defines the word essential as “extremely important and necessary,” and Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Carolina couldn’t agree more.  Regardless of the coverage you choose, health care reform requires that qualified health plans include 10 essential health benefits that fall into the following categories that will help keep you and your family healthy and secure.

• Ambulatory Services
• Emergency Services
• Hospitilization
• Maternity and Newborn Care
• Mental health and substance abuse services (including behavioral health)
• Prescription drugs
• Rehabilitative and habilitative services and devices
• Laboratory services
• Preventive/wellness services and chronic disease management
• Pediatric services, including dental and vision

BCBSNC understands that your health care matters and that these essential services are extremely important and necessary to your overall wellness and peace of mind.  With a variety of health care policies to meet your essential needs, Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Carolina is committed to offering quality health care that more than covers the basics.  To find a BCBSNC health plan you can trust with your essential care, click here.

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 Obamacare. Call us for details.

 

GO BLUE – AVOID UPCOMING TAX PENALTIES

In 2014, the Affordable Care Act mandates that all taxpayers purchase health insurance or pay a tax penalty when reconciling taxes.  In addition, the penalty will increase every year until 2016.  Below is a list of the graduating tax penalty as outlined in the Affordable Care Act.

• 2014: a minimum of $95 per year or up to 1% of annual individual income (whichever is greater)

• 2015: a minimum of $325 per year or up to 2% of annual individual income (whichever is greater)

•2016: a minimum of $695 per year or up to 2.5% of annual individual income (whichever is greater)

To avoid having to pay these penalties, get your Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Carolina FREE RATE QUOTE today.  BCBSNC offers a variety of health insurance plans and premiums that will work for both you and your budget.  To find the plan that suits you best, click here.

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 Obamacare. Call us for details.

To help make health care more affordable, the federal government offers advance premium tax credits, or subsidies, to low-to middle-income individuals and families. Your subsidy is an advance premium tax credit and is applied directly to your premium. Government subsidies reduce the amount you pay for your insurance plan.

To be eligible for a subsidy, you must meet certain requirements.

• Be between 100% and 400% of the federal poverty level (FPL).
• Not eligible for public coverage, such as Medicaid, the Children’s Health Insurance Program,  Medicare or military coverage, such as Tricare.
• Not have access to minimal essential coverage through an employer. (An exception may be made if your employer’s plan does not cover at least an average of 60% of covered benefits or if the employee’s share of the premium is more than 9.5% of his or her income.  Employers can tell you if their plans meet these criteria.)

Subsidies can be used on any plan you choose except for grandfathered plans and catastrophic plans for those under 30. How much of a subsidy you qualify for is based on income and household size.

Our free BCBSNC Rate Quote offers a calculator to determine if a subsidy may be available to you.

2016 POVERTY GUIDELINES FOR THE 48 CONTIGUOUS STATES AND THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA
Persons in family/household	100% Poverty guideline	250% Poverty guideline	400% Poverty guideline
1	$11,770	$29,425	$47,080
2	$15,930	$39,825	$63,720
3	$20,090	$50,255	$80,360
4	$24,250	$60,625	$97,000
5	$28,410	$71,025	$113,640
6	$32,570	$81,425	$130,280
7	$36,730	$91,825	$146,920
8	$40,890	$102,225	$163,560
For each additional person, add:	$4,020	$10,050	$16,080

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

For more information on Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Carolina insurance coverage, the Marketplace and healthcare gov to apply for your subsidy, 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.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Negotiating new terminology is one of the toughest parts to understanding all the recent changes in health care policies and procedures.  Terms like “open enrollment,” “government subsidies,” and “qualifying life event (QLE)” can be confusing even to the most thorough students of health insurance and the Affordable Care Act.  When applying for health coverage, however, understanding these terms and how they can affect your health care options is an absolute imperative.

Under the Affordable Care Act, there are two different periods in which an individual may apply for health insurance.  The first is referred to as Open Enrollment and during this time any person may apply for health coverage.  During Special Enrollment, however, there are more restrictions and a person is required to have what is referred to as a Qualifying Life Event (QLE) in order to acquire health insurance.  If you do not have one of these Qualifying Life Events, you may not purchase health insurance during Special Enrollment and must wait until the Open Enrollment Period.  This is not a Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Carolina policy, but rather a policy of the federal government under the Affordable Care Act with which BCBSNC must comply.

Basically, a Qualifying Life Event is a specific circumstance that has altered your life—and there are strict guidelines to determine exactly what qualifies.  For example, a recent  marriage, divorce or birth of a child are all events that would make you eligible to enroll in health coverage during a Special Enrollment period, so long as you enroll within 60 days of that life altering event.  Losing previously held health insurance involuntarily is another example of a Qualifying Life Event, as is changing your permanent place of residence. If your income increases so that you are no longer eligible for Medicaid, you are also able to enroll in new coverage during a Special Enrollment Period.  Because the list of Qualifying Life Events is so varied, however, it is worth investigating whether you qualify to enroll during a Special Enrollment period.

Although the terminology can be confusing, it is important for you to understand what constitutes a Qualifying Life Event because it can have a huge impact on your ability to purchase health insurance.  In addition, the effective date of your coverage will depend on your QLE and the date of your application.

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 Obamacare. Call us for details.

 

Everyone knows you have to pay for health insurance, but did you know there is also a cost to being uninsured?  Under the Affordable Care Act there is a price to pay for not carrying health insurance. The penalty incurred for being uninsured is sometimes called the “individual responsibility payment” or the “individual mandate,” and the fine in 2014 is calculated one of two ways.  If you or your dependents do not have health insurance that qualifies as minimum essential coverage you will pay either 1% of your yearly household income or $95 per person, whichever is greater, for the year ($47.50 per child under 18).

Please note, however, that the penalty increases every year.  In 2015 it is 2% of income or $325 per person and in 2016 and later years it is 2.5% of income or $695 per person.  Also, it is important to remember that even if you pay the penalty, you still do not have health coverage and are responsible for 100% of your medical care.

The important thing to understand is that not only is health insurance a prudent decision for your life, it is also a wise choice for your wallet.  Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Carolina (BCBSNC) offers an array of affordable health plans  that not only save you from unwanted out of pocket medical expenses, it can also save you the cost of being uninsured.  For a complete definition of what qualifies as minimum essential coverage and a comprehensive look at how the tax penalty for being uninsured is calculated review the Affordable Care Act guidelines with IRS.

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 Obamacare. Call us for details.

Qualifying Life Event

Which type of Qualifying Life Event have you or a dependent experienced within 60 days?

• Lost eligibility or access to minimum essential coverage – not through an employer
• Lost eligibility or access to minimum essential coverage – through an employer
• Gained a dependent or became a dependent through birth, adoption, placement for adoption or placement as a foster child
• Gained a dependent or became a dependent through marriage or the establishment of a domestic partnership
• You or a dependent gained US citizen status
• You or your dependents gained access to coverage as a result of a permanent move to (NC) or as a result of a move to a new county within NC
• Your or your dependents’ enrollment or non-enrollment in another benefit health plan was made as a result of an error by the Health Insurance Marketplace
• You or your dependents demonstrated that the health benefit plan you were previously enrolled in substantially violated material provisions of the contract
• You or your dependent are determined newly eligible or ineligible for advance payments of the premium tax credit (APTC)/subsidy or have a change in eligibility for cost-sharing reductions
• You or your dependent has been released from incarceration

Blue Cross Blue Shield of NC offers several network options when selecting your health insurance plan to allow you the flexibility to choose the coverage that bests suits your needs.  It is important to understand these networks before making your final plan selection.

To gain access to the best and largest network of doctors and hospitals, go with a Blue Advantage plan.  Blue Advantage offers you a broad choice of doctors, specialists and hospitals with the largest network available that includes 91% of doctors and 99% hospitals.

Does having the option to save money by selecting a doctor from two tiers of in-network providers appeal to you? Blue Select plans offer you this opportunity. With Blue Select, BCBSNC has tiered benefits and providers to help you make the most of your health care spending. BCBSNC has evaluated doctors and specialist physician practices on their quality outcomes, cost efficiency, and accessibility and created two categories:

Tier 1 are providers who received top ratings, and you’ll receive a richer benefit when you choose these providers.

Tier 2 are providers who still meet the usual standards for being part of the network, and you’ll receive a less rich benefit when you choose these providers. By tiering the benefits and providers, you’ll save up to 6% on your monthly premium and have a clear way to save more money by choosing Tier 1 providers. You can see which tier your providers are in by visiting the Find a Doctor tool.

Is having a plan with a lower premium more important to you than having the largest network of doctors and hospitals available? If so, a Blue Value plan might work for you. Blue Value features a limited network of providers and some of the lowest costs of all the plans.  Blue Value can offer up to 9% savings, but has a limited network of doctors, hospitals, and pharmacies to lower costs. (Blue Value may not be available in all areas.)

 

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.