Cold and Flu season are officially here, beginning in October and continuing through early Spring with February being the peak month.  Want to be one of those people we all envy that NEVER gets sick?  Here are a few points to follow to help you on your mission this season:  Wash your hands – most research recommends at least 5 times per day using soap and warm water.  The average length of time it takes to de-germ those hands is the length of the “Happy Birthday Song” so sing away (more…)

Allergies are defined as a sensitivity to certain substances called allergens.  Allergens are tiny particles that are carried by the air that we breath and bring on allergy symptoms in some people.  Allergens can be harmless to children or adults that are not allergic to them.  If you have allergies, exposure to a particular allergen triggers an allergic response.  Allergic responses can be stuffy, itchy, runny nose and sneezing.  There are 2 types of allergy triggers: those that are Seasonal and those that are Year-Round (perennial).  Seasonal allergies include weeds, grasses, trees and outdoor mold spores.  Year-Round allergies are animal dander, indoor mold spores, dust mites, and cockroaches. 

To limit your exposure to pollen, mold spores and dust:  Shower each night before bed, limit use of fans and open windows during high pollen count days, clean your home with bleach to get rid of any mold you can see, always wash bedding in hot water and dry in a hot dryer to help control dust mites.

For more information about  Medical Conditions and  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.

Applicants applying for Blue Advantage, Blue Advantage Saver and Blue Options HSA coverage will be considered using any or all of the following:

• Review of the application

• Telephone interview with applicant, parent if child under 18 years of age and/or legal guardian

• Medical history obtained from attending physician

• BCBSNC Medical Underwriting Guidelines

• BCBSNC claims history, if available

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Beginning in July 2010 – Consumers with health problems who have been uninsured for 6 months may be eligible to obtain coverage through a new high risk pool program. And a temporary reinsurance program will help employers who provide coverage to their retirees in maintaining this coverage.

Beginning in plan years on or after September 23, 2010 – Pre-existing condition exclusions are prohibited for children under 19, dependents up to age 26 will be able to obtain coverage through parents’ health plans, routine preventive care will be covered without cost-sharing, limits on lifetime coverage will be eliminated along with other changes.

Beginning in 2014, the new law requires that all individuals have coverage and insurers must offer coverage to anyone regardless of health status and cannot vary premiums based on health status.

In 2014 – Individuals and small businesses will be able to purchase coverage through state-based exchanges. Consumers will be able to purchase health insurance regardless of health status and premiums cannot vary because of health status. Individuals will be required to purchase health insurance or pay a penalty. Subsidies will be available on a sliding scale to help individuals or families with incomes up to 400 percent of the federal poverty level to purchase insurance through new state-based exchanges.

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Immediate Press Release: September 20, 2010

Information below is from the North Carolina Department of Insurance Press Release

Insurance Commissioner Goodwin and Blue Cross announce policyholder refunds and lower than requested rate adjustments.

RALEIGH — Insurance Commissioner Wayne Goodwin and Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina President and CEO Brad Wilson today announced a decision on individual policyholder rates for BCBSNC customers and a unique, one time refund that will return $155.8 million to more than 215,000 individual BCBSNC customers as a result of the Affordable Care Act.  The refunds will be issued by the end of the year to policyholders who had Blue Advantage or Blue Options HSA for Individuals policies in force as of March 23, 2010, the date the federal law was enacted. Refunds will be proportional to premiums paid and will be equivalent to more than 1.5 months of premiums. Customers may receive lower or higher amounts depending on their specific premium rates. For example, for an average policyholder’s monthly premium of about $380, the refund would be approximately $690.

“I’m pleased that the Department and Blue Cross were able to identify a way for $155.8 million to go back into consumers’ wallets,” said Commissioner Goodwin. “I’m also glad that we were able to negotiate a lower than requested rate adjustment that will save $14.5 million in future premiums for policyholders.”

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As Health Care Reform takes effect, many are asking how and when they will obtain health insurance in the future.  Blue Cross and Blue Shield companies already offer low-cost health insurance options that you may be able to enroll in today. You can find coverage options through your local Blue Cross and Blue Shield company.

Beginning in 2014, state health insurance exchanges will enable consumers to compare benefits, prices and networks of providers and purchase coverage.

Prior to the establishment of state exchanges in 2014, a temporary high risk pool program will be created by the federal government to provide coverage to high-risk individuals who have not been covered during the prior 6-month period or do not have access to coverage, to purchase coverage. A majority of states already have high-risk pools for their residents.

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Beginning in plan years after Sept. 23, 2010, the new law allows dependents up to age 26 to obtain coverage under their parents’ plans that offer dependent coverage. In April 2010, the nation’s 39 independent Blue Cross and Blue Shield companies recognized that many young people could lose their coverage because of their age, student status, graduation from school or other factors prior to when the new law goes into effect for plan years beginning September 23, 2010. The BCBS companies proactively announced in April that they will offer to their accounts continued overage of these hundreds of thousands of young adults under age 26 on the health insurance policies their parents purchase through the individual marketplace effective June 1. Young adults may be eligible regardless of whether they are financially dependent on their parents. This extension of coverage is also being offered to employer accounts for their members.

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Chapel Hill, NC – Today Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina (BCBSNC) filed a rate request with the North Carolina Department of Insurance for a base rate increase of 6.97 percent for Blue Advantage and 2.06 percent for Blue Options HSA. These requested base rate increases are the lowest since 2007. Blue Advantage and Blue Options HSA currently serve more than 300,000 customers under the age of 65.

Seventy percent of Blue Advantage/Blue Options HSA members would see rate changes less than 10 percent, including almost 28,000 customers who would see rate decreases.

“Most of our Blue Advantage and Blue Options HSA customers will see smaller rate increases for 2011,” said BCBSNC President and CEO Brad Wilson. “However, the only way to make premiums affordable over the long term is to get soaring medical costs under control.”

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Many overlook the fact that children can get sick from germs in the water of pools, lakes, and water parks. Consider a few easy steps that can help keep your children as well as  everyone else — safe while swimming. 

One danger when swimming is that water can be contaminated with germs that can cause recreational water illnesses (RWIs), including:  (more…)

As with most child safety measures, that usually starts with proper supervision which is one of the best ways to keep your children safe in the water. That means watching your children when they are in or around water, even if they know how to swim. Remember that swim lessons don’t make children, especially younger children, drown proof.  Note other important water safety tips to consider with warm weather finally approaching. 

1)  Childproof your swimming pool so that it is enclosed by a permanent fence (which is better than a removable pool fence) with  a self-closing and self-latching gate that is difficult for younger children to open; 

2)  Have everyone wear Coast Guard-approved life jackets, and not just those cute floaties, on boats, jet skis, and on other personal watercraft; 

3)  Make sure you know water depth before you let your children dive;  (more…)

Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina members get more than health insurance. The family of discount programs are available to members at no additional cost and compliments their existing health insurance plan. These programs help members save money and take charge of their health.

Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Carolina (BCBSNC)members receive discounts on chiropractic services 1-888-336-2583, hearing aids 1-877-979-8000, vision care, laser eye surgery 1-888-763-8123, vitamins 1-888-234-2413, weight management programs, products and services – and more! (more…)

March 1, 2010
BCBSNC 2009 Financial Results Show Stable Finances, Customer Base

Highlights:

• BCBSNC affected by economy but finances, membership stable

• Medical spending for customers increases

• Profit margin declines

Chapel Hill – In 2009 Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina (BCBSNC) continued to see
stability in its customer base and financial performance, despite a difficult economy.
“During this down economy, when many insurers have lost customers, Blue Cross is holding its own.
We remain strong and viable and focused on meeting the health care needs of our customers every day,”
said President and CEO Brad Wilson.

BCBSNC had a net income ratio (profit margin) of 2.1 percent for 2009, equating to just 2.1 cents for
each dollar of revenue. That was down from 3.6 percent in 2008 and below the company’s target range
of 3.5 to 4.5 percent. The company’s profitability was affected by higher medical costs and slower
membership growth due to the state’s down economy. The company’s consolidated net income was
$107.3 million with total revenue at $5.2 billion. (more…)