My Grandfather was a tobacco farmer in rural North Carolina and he said retirement was a strange kind of irony.  He had more free time than ever before in his life to do things, but he also had less strength and energy. Of course, my Grandfather was a part of a generation that thought a lot about hard work, but not a lot about exercise.  Over the years, what research has proven is that staying active and physically fit is more important than ever as we age.  In fact, maintaining a regular fitness routine can actually help combat the negative effects of aging, such as the lack of strength or energy my Grandfather complained about.  Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Carolina promotes wellness and preventive care at every age, and although I’m not sure my Grandfather ever would have considered participating in any of the following activities, here are some great ways you can stay in good shape well into your Senior years. (more…)

Ready or not, if you are turning 65, life is changing.  Perhaps you are ready to retire and catch up on some traveling.  Perhaps you intend to keep working a bit longer, but are planning to put in a few less hours.  No matter what your 65th birthday brings, you can be sure of one thing.  Your health insurance options are going to change significantly.  Being prepared for Medicare is one of the smartest things you can do as you approach this major milestone and Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Carolina can help.

Here are some things you can do to prepare: (more…)

Although temporary health insurance plans are not ACA approved Qualified Health Plans, they do provide a temporary solution that can help fill gaps in coverage that may exist for many reasons.  If you missed Open Enrollment and now find yourself uncovered for 2016, a short term plan could be the solution.  Temporary health plans are a viable option for people who are experiencing gaps in coverage due to a job change, a move or other life circumstances.  They are also great for individuals who may be exempt from the individual mandate (tax penalty) to buy health insurance or those who may just choose to buy health insurance outside of Open Enrollment. (more…)

Now that you’ve gotten your health insurance in place for 2016, you may be considering whether or not a dental insurance plan is right for you.  Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Carolina offers dental coverage for individuals under 65 as well as Senior plans and if you think oral health isn’t important, you may want to think again.  Seeing your dentist on a regular basis does more for your health than give you a pretty smile.  Regular dental check-ups can tell your dentist a lot about your overall health and whether or not you may be developing certain health conditions. (more…)

If you are turning 65 and are newly eligible for Medicare, you may be asking yourself this important question:  Is Medicare enough coverage to meet your health care needs?  Here are some facts to keep in mind as you are exploring your Medicare options:

Medicare Parts A and B, which are also known as Original Medicare, are run by the federal government and if you have these two parts, the government will pay the doctors and hospitals you visit.  However, not every expense will necessarily be covered and you may want to consider a Medicare Supplement. (more…)

Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Carolina is a strong advocate of preventive care and according to the American Heart Association, cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death in America.  In fact, taking care of your heart may be one of the most important things you can do to improve your health and increase longevity, but how can you improve heart health?  Truthfully, it’s nothing we don’t already know, but a few small, deliberate changes this year could make all the difference.

Here are 5 easy things you can do to improve the condition of your heart: (more…)

Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Carolina is committed to promoting well-being and preventive care for its senior members.  In an effort to provide older members with a benefit for staying fit, BCBSNC partners with American Specialty Health to offer the Silver & Fit program.  The Silver & Fit program is designed for older adults and provides access to a variety of fitness facilities from national chains to small community clubs. Eligible members can join the program and enjoy community involvement while maintaining a healthy and fit lifestyle. (more…)

One of the toughest things about health insurance is understanding the importance of continuing coverage during the months, or possibly even years, when it seems like you never really use your policy.  Now that monthly premiums are on the rise, you may be asking yourself if health insurance is really worth maintaining.  As licensed insurance agents, we often talk with people who obtain health coverage, possibly have a needed surgery or procedure, and then consider cancelling their policy.

Although that may seem like a logical financial decision, it’s important to understand that health insurance is not something you get because you are injured or ill, but rather something you maintain in case you are injured or become ill.  (more…)

Turning 65 is a big milestone and transitioning into Medicare can be an overwhelming prospect.  With Original Medicare Parts A and B, various other Medicare options, and Medicare Supplements offered through Blue Cross Blue Shield of NC, it can be tough to figure out which plan is best for you.  Although understanding Medicare and what it covers may take some getting used to, at NC Health Plans we want to make it as easy as possible.  Here are a few basic things to keep in mind as you begin researching your Medicare options. (more…)

Are you a small business owner?  Or, perhaps your company is opening a new office in North Carolina and you are interested in providing your employees with group health insurance.  If so, consider a Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Carolina group health insurance plan.

Group health insurance is often less expensive than individual insurance and is a great way to give your employees a perk.   In addition, group insurance can help employers by providing certain tax benefits.  What an employer contributes towards the health insurance coverage of their employees is a deductible business expense and in some small group cases may even qualify for a tax credit.  In addition, employees can often pay for their share of group health premiums using pre-tax dollars.  Pre-tax treatment of employee contributions saves employee’s money and it reduces net taxable payroll.  These same tax benefits do not apply to individual health insurance.

If you are interested in providing group coverage to your employees, talk with one of our licensed and professional agents to discuss your options.  For more information on North Carolina insurance coverage, please visit our website at www.nchealthplans.com or call our toll free number 888-765-5400.

If you are a new Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Carolina member , there are some basic ways you can begin managing your health insurance policy to maximize benefits and minimize out-of-pocket expenses.  Below are some helpful tips that will help you make your new NC health insurance plan work for you. (more…)

Being uninsured is never wise, but let’s face it.  Life happens and sometimes you find yourself in a situation where you are experiencing a gap in coverage and need insurance now.  Perhaps you are transitioning from one job to another and there are a few months in between when coverage is not available to you through an employer.  Or perhaps you missed Open Enrollment and now find yourself without a Qualifying Life Event that allows you to enroll in health coverage during Special Enrollment. Whatever the case, you are not out of options.  Short Term coverage can help fill that gap and it is available to you as soon as the very next day! (more…)