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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You can purchase a Blue Advantage, Blue Advantage Saver or Blue Options HSA policy to cover your child or adopted/foster child without being covered by the policy yourself. Your child will receive full plan benefits, including immunization, well-child and well-baby care coverage. When you apply, be sure to enter your child’s information (name, gender and birth date) as the primary applicant. If you plan to cover multiple children, each child must have his or her own policy, so you’ll need to apply for each policy separately. Multiple children may be covered on the same policy, as long as the parent is also covered by that same policy. You can cover children up to age 26 on your policy, as long as they are your legal dependents. However, children under age 18 are not eligible to have their own health savings account. Children under age 18 are subject to certain tax guidelines. Consult a tax professional for more information.

The information above is provided by BCBSNC, 2011 Plan Information Guide.

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 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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Last week, investment bank Morgan Stanley issued a “Healthcare Services & Distribution” report that makes reference to a potential change in Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina’s (BCBSNC) Pharmacy Benefits Management relationship. Because this mention could generate questions from our customers, we want to share some information with you about this. As part of our effort to reduce costs for our company and our customers, BCBSNC is in negotiations to change our pharmacy benefits management vendor. Assuming that final negotiations are concluded successfully and we receive regulatory approval, Prime Therapeutics would administer pharmacy benefits for our commercial customers whose pharmacy benefits we handle.

We hope this change will take place beginning April 1, 2012. This change would result in lower pharmacy costs for BCBSNC and our group customers, and would provide more flexibility regarding services and programs.

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Whether it is soccer, baseball, basketball, or the chess team, you have a golden opportunity to make a difference. Being your child’s coach, assistant coach, referee, or Team Parent lets you contribute to the quality experience your child will enjoy. But like many opportunities, it can be a double-edged sword.

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

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BCBSNC offers an optional maternity rider to females (policy holder or spouse) ages 18 and over who are NOT pregnant when they apply for coverage unless their most recent creditable coverage was underwritten by BCBSNC and included maternity coverage. If you elect not to purchase the maternity rider when you first apply, you can add at the following times so long as you are not pregnant at the time:

1. During the annual renewal period (November for a January 1 effective date) as long as the policy has been in effect for at least 6 months

2. Within 30 days following marriage (requires copy of marriage certificate)

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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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When it comes to food, the best things for you certainly aren’t free. In fact, research indicates that healthy eaters often spend more on food than their less healthy counterparts, and to follow a diet in line with the USDA’s latest nutrition recommendations would add hundreds of dollars to the average person’s annual food expenses.

In a new study from the University of Washington, researchers surveyed 2,000 adults in King County and analyzed their self-reported diets for nutrient content and cost. Their findings illustrated what you might already suspect: Not only were grains, sugars, and fats cheaper than fruits and vegetables on a per calorie basis, but consumers typically had to increase their food budget to incorporate recommended nutrients like potassium, dietary fiber, vitamin D, and calcium into their diet. For example, individuals who consumed potassium in accordance with the 2010 Dietary Guidelines added an average of $380 a year to their annual food cost.

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Ideal for those who want more predictable health care costs

A plan featuring more cost-saving options

Limited office visit copayments for those who don’t need to visit the doctor as often

Lower monthly premiums

More choices in how you pay for doctors visits and prescription drugs You get many of the features found in Blue Advantage

You have more flexibility, getting just the coverage you need at a lower monthly premium

Preventive care is covered at 100%

The information in this article is from bcbsnc.com, product benefits.

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.

 CHAPEL HILL, N.C. – Availability of state-of-the-art X-ray equipment helped make it possible for 28% more North Carolinians to receive what amounted to an additional $1 million in quality dental care during free clinics held across the state last year. The purchase of the dental X-ray bus was supported by a grant from the Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina (BCBSNC) Foundation and delivers diagnostic technology to North Carolina Missions of Mercy (NCMOM) dental clinics across the state. In 2009, the NCMOM clinics treated 5,267 patients and with the help of the dental X-ray bus, that number increased to 6,753 in 2010. Those patients received $3.1 million in donated care, up from $2.1 million in 2009. The bus will be on (more…)