A Medicare Supplement, sometimes called Medigap, is a health insurance policy designed to “fill the gaps” in Original Medicare (Medicare Part A and Part B).  Basically, a Medigap policy picks up where Original Medicare leaves off.  These plans are sold by private insurance companies, like Blue Cross Blue Shield of NC, and the policies are federally regulated, meaning they must cover basic benefits and pay for most of the original Medicare coinsurance and copayment amounts.  There are 11 standardized Medigap plans (Plan A – Plan N) and Blue Cross Blue Shield of NC offers all of them.

The “core” benefits of all Medicare Supplement plans include:

• Medicare Part A coinsurance for days 61-90 of a hospital stay
• Coverage of up to 365 additional days of a hospital stay during a member’s lifetime after Medicare hospital benefits have been exhausted
• Coinsurance or copayment amount for Medicare Part B services after meeting the yearly deductible
• The first 3 pints of blood per calendar year
• Hospice benefit

Medicare Supplements help eliminate any unexpected costs you might incur should you have only Original Medicare.  Keep in mind that Medicare Supplements are different from Medicare Advantage plans, often referred to as Part C and pay benefits very differently.  To be eligible for a NC Medicare Supplement plan, you must reside in the state of North Carolina, be enrolled in both Medicare Part A and Part B, and be age 65 or older OR disabled as defined by the Social Security Administration, be on kidney dialysis or transplant eligible.

There is an open enrollment period for Medicare Supplement plans.  You have six months to buy a Medigap policy with guaranteed issue and this period begins the first day of the month in which you are BOTH age 65 or older and enrolled in Medicare Part B.  During this period, you cannot be denied coverage based on health history.  The Open Enrollment period is usually the best and simplest time to purchase a Medicare Supplement plan.

Transitioning into Medicare can be a confusing process, but the more you know about Medicare and what types of supplemental insurance are available to you the more equipped you will be to make the best decision for you and your health care needs.  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 and speak with one of our experienced and professional agents.

Happy Thanksgiving from NC Health Plans!  If you are like me, you are always looking for new and exciting side dishes to spruce up your Thanksgiving table.  As much as I love new recipes, however, I don’t love spending hours in the kitchen trying to make something special.  This recipe for slow-cooker sweet potatoes with bacon from myrecipes.com is not only simple, it’s sure to please.  After all, everything’s better with bacon and sweet potatoes are one of fall’s most nutritious and delicious root vegetables.

Both sweet and salty, this yummy Thanksgiving side-dish is easy to prep and won’t cost you valuable time and stove-top space while you are busy with other things.  In addition, this dish adds beautiful color and is a hearty addition to any Thanksgiving meal.

Thanksgiving is a time to pause and give thanks for the many blessings we enjoy and NC Health Plans wishes you a very happy Thanksgiving day!  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 and speak with one of our experienced and professional agents.

Enrolling a new Medicare supplement plan or making a change to your existing plan can be a headache, but at NC Health Plans we strive to make the enrollment process as simple as possible.  You can now enroll your Blue Cross Blue Shield Medicare plan online from the comfort of your own home, saving you time, money and paperwork!  Whatever BCBSNC Medicare plan interests you, at NC Health Plans we offer a convenient, secure online application that will only take a few minutes.  You may also speak with one of our licensed agents to discuss plans, as well as receive prompt and courteous assistance in completing and submitting your application right online.

As a Medicare recipient you have choices and Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Carolina is a trusted name in Medicare Supplement insurance. If you are new to Medicare or exploring the possibility of making a change to your current Medicare plan, get a free rate quote now and experience the benefits of having an agent at your fingertips or just a phone call away.

At NC Health Plans, we understand that your time is as valuable as your health and we work hard to help our customers enjoy the best possible enrollment experience.  For your free rate quote visit www.nchealthplans.com, call 888-765-5400, or click the button below.

If you are over Age 65 and looking for Dental Insurance, BCBSNC has you covered.  As a Medicare recipient, you may have realized that Medicare does not cover most dental expenses, which can leave you with a big gap in coverage.  What you may not realize is how important it is that you continue to maintain your dental health at every age.

Medical experts have linked periodontal (gum) disease to stroke, heart disease, diabetes and other critical health issues. In fact, nearly 75 percent of American adults have some form of periodontal disease. With proper daily dental care, however, regular dental checkups can help detect, prevent and treat gum disease and related disorders.  Having the coverage you need to make seeing your dentist affordable can make a big difference in your overall health.

With Dental Blue for Seniors, you’re covered for a broad range of dental services, including routine fillings and extractions, plus major services like crowns, bridges and dentures. Coverage also includes preventive care, such as bite-wing X-rays and fluoride treatments. That means you can get checkups and cleanings twice per benefit period, which ultimately supports better oral health.  In addition, there are no waiting periods for cleanings, routine oral exams and other diagnostic and preventive services.

Having proper dental care is an important part of taking care of your health and a Blue Cross Blue Shield of NC dental plan can help you do just that!   Choose Dental Blue for Seniors and you can take a big step toward protecting your overall health. 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 and speak with one of our experienced and professional agents.

The Presidential election is officially over and Donald Trump has won, which may leave many Americans wondering what, if anything, will happen to the Affordable Care Act/Obamacare.  Although Mr. Trump suggested during his presidential campaign that he would push for changes in the ACA, those changes will likely not be immediate and will certainly take time to implement.

Open Enrollment 2017 is now in full swing and it’s important to remember that as of today, nothing has changed in regards to health insurance.  ACA/Obamacare plans are still available through BCBSNC in all 100 counties in North Carolina and now is the time to enroll!

For now and in the near future, the Affordable Care Act is the law of the land and Americans are still required to maintain health coverage or face a federal tax penalty.  Keep in mind that the tax penalty for 2017 is $695 per person or 2.5% of your income, whichever is higher, so there is a high cost to being uninsured.  Despite substantial losses, Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Carolina has chosen this year to continue participation in the ACA within North Carolina and is working diligently to provide ACA-compliant, quality health plans to the residents of NC.

Whether you need to make a change to your existing coverage or enroll in a health plan for the first time, at NC Health Plans we are here to help.  We can assist you in estimating subsidy eligibility and offer an online or over-the-phone application process for individuals enrolling through the health insurance Marketplace.  Don’t let another year pass without enrolling the health coverage you need for you and your family.

At NC Health Plans, we understand that your time is as valuable as your health and we work hard to help our customers enjoy the best possible enrollment experience.  For your free rate quote visit www.nchealthplans.com, call 888-765-5400, or click the button below.

The current presidential campaign is big news, but how might the upcoming election affect the NC health insurance market?  As might be expected, the two presidential candidates, Donald Trump and Hillary Clinton, have very different ideas when it comes to healthcare policies, leaving many North Carolinians as well as other Americans wondering what might happen to their health insurance in the months to come.

Presidential hopeful Hillary Clinton has promised that should she win, she will work to improve the ACA markets by offering additional subsidies to offset the cost of health insurance as well as increase enrollment through aggressive marketing.  She has also suggested that she intends to pursue a public option on the federal Exchange, but many argue this would be a tough sell to Congress, even if the Democratic party takes control.

Donald Trump, on the other hand, has made it clear that he intends to shrink, though likely not completely abolish, the Affordable Care Act considerably.  Ending the individual mandate, eliminating ACA reforms such as minimal essential benefits and restructuring federal subsidies are a few of the ways he would likely begin.  Most experts agree that abolishing the Affordable Care Act would be a near impossibility now that millions of Americans are insured under ACA plans; however, under a Trump administration Americans would probably see a substantial overhaul of the current law.

With the presidential campaign in full-swing, one thing is for certain.  The Affordable Care Act, or “Obamacare,” is a hot topic and one that many Americans say is at the top of their list in terms of policy concerns for 2017.  At NC Health Plans, our goal is to help the residents of North Carolina navigate the ever-changing health insurance market and we will continue to do so whatever changes may come in 2017.  We make it our business to stay up-to-date on market changes as well as federal laws affecting health insurance, and strive to give our customers the information and tools needed to choose and enroll a health insurance plan with confidence and ease.

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 and speak with one of our experienced and professional agents.

Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Carolina encourages members to practice preventive health care, but did you know that daylight savings can have adverse health affects, especially when it comes to sleep patterns? Daylight Savings ends on Sunday, November 6th at midnight and people all over North Carolina will be setting clocks back by one hour, moving an hour of daylight from evening to the morning.  Although this may make getting out of bed this winter a little easier, daylight savings can affect us in ways that may surprise you.  According to WebMD, “moving our clocks in either direction changes the principal time cue – light – for setting and resetting our 24-hour natural cycle or circadian rhythm.”  This, in turn, knocks our internal clock “out of sync” and forces us to readjust.

Most experts agree that “falling back” in the autumn is an easier transition than “springing forward” in the spring, but either way, it forces a change in the body’s rhythm.  In fact, researchers have looked at a number of health trends that seem to surround daylight savings, including an increase in traffic accidents.  Although still unclear how adjusting the clock directly correlates with this increase, some experts argue that it’s based primarily on a change of sleep patterns. (more…)

Open Enrollment began Tuesday, November 1st and Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Carolina has you covered!  2016 has seen a big upheaval in the NC health insurance market, but BCBSNC has remained steadfast and will be offering health plans in all 100 counties of North Carolina for 2017.  In fact, BCBSNC will be the only insurer offering ACA plans in most of the state.  With the exit of both United Healthcare and Aetna, many North Carolina residents will be facing a change in their health insurance policy and NC Health Plans is committed to helping make that transition as easy as possible.

Former Aetna and United Healthcare members who have a Marketplace plan will be automatically mapped to a new BCBSNC health plan (Blue Advantage, Blue Select, Blue Value or Blue Local).  If you are a mapped customer it is important that you review all your health insurance options with Blue Cross Blue Shield NC and we can help you do that effectively.  We can generate a quote, assist you in determining subsidy eligibility and help you decide if you are better off with a plan other than the one to which you have been mapped.  Keep in mind, the Open Enrollment period is the time to make these important decisions and after Open Enrollment you may not be able to make a plan change until next year.  Make sure to look at all the options available to you before making a decision.

For former Aetna and United Healthcare members who do not have a Marketplace plan, you will not be automatically mapped to a BCBSNC health plan and you will need to shop for a new health plan.  We will assist you in reviewing your options and have the most up-to-date tools available to make your enrollment as stress-free as possible.

If you are currently a Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Carolina member, you should also review your options for 2017.  If you need to make a change to your existing coverage or simply want to compare your current plan with new plans available in 2017, we can assist you with all your NC health insurance needs. 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 and speak with one of our experienced and professional agents.

Open Enrollment 2017 has officially begun and Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Carolina has health plans available in all 100 counties!  Whether you are replacing existing coverage or obtaining NC health insurance for the first time, BCBNSC has a plan that will work for you.  In fact, every Blue Cross Blue Shield NC plan has preventive services covered at 100% and if you are insuring your family, children under the age of 19 have access to pediatric dental and vision services.  BCBSNC boasts one of the largest networks of providers available in North Carolina, and as a North Carolina based company, Blue Cross Blue Shield NC has been serving NC residents for over 80 years.

Whether you are looking for a high-deductible HSA plan, a Catastrophic plan, or a plan rich in health care benefits, Blue Cross Blue Shield NC delivers!  At NC Health Plans, we are committed to helping our customers review plan options, discuss benefits, determine subsidy eligibility and submit an application in the easiest, most stress-free way possible.  We offer the most up-to-date enrollment process available and have staff of professional, conscientious, licensed agents ready and willing to help walk you through the process from start to finish.

Don’t let Open Enrollment 2017 overwhelm you!  From the comfort of your own home, we can assist you in completing your subsidy application and enrolling your Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Carolina health plan in a few short minutes. 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 and speak with one of our experienced and professional agents.

Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Carolina recently announced that they intend to participate in the ACA for 2017 and will be offering health plans in all 100 counties of North Carolina. This decision came after much deliberation and on the heels of two major health insurance companies, United Healthcare and Aetna, announcing their withdrawal from the ACA in NC.  Although BCBSNC’s participation for 2017 means at least one more year of ACA plans for the nearly 600,000 residents who are currently insured under the ACA, how is Blue Cross Blue Shield NC preparing for the unprecedented position of being the only real choice for consumers across much of the state?

Brad Wilson, President and Chief Executive Officer of Blue Cross Blue Shield NC explains.

In an op-ed article for the News and Observer on October 1, 2016, Brad Wilson called Blue Cross Blue Shield NC’s decision to stay in the game an “important commitment” to the residents of North Carolina.  He explained that had BCBSNC pulled out of the ACA market for 2017, over 600,000 NC residents would have been left without an option for health insurance.  The BCBSNC CEO went on to say that although he believes the decision was the right one, it also presents new challenges for an already troubled market.

Because ACA customers tend to be unhealthier and tend to use health care at a higher rate than non-ACA customers, the company is forced to reevaluate their ability to sustain an influx of possibly 260,000 new ACA clients. Not only must BCBSNC face the challenge of yet another rate increase to support the ACA business, but are also facing the reality of trying to prepare at the last minute for a customer service department that can handle an extraordinarily high volume of calls and customer needs.

Brad Wilson assures that Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Carolina has “been working around the clock to prepare for these new customers… and are better prepared to manage expectations throughout this enrollment period.”   Some of the ways Blue Cross Blue Shield NC is preparing is by developing additional online resources and increasing the number of customer service personnel and phone lines available to consumers. That being said, Mr. Wilson also recognizes the fact that there will undoubtedly be a strain on the company both financially and in terms of service capabilities.  Having already lost upwards of $4 million dollars in 2014 and 2015, Brad Wilson reminds North Carolinians that the “commitment to serve the state cannot subordinate our obligation to our customers to be financially stable for the long term – which cannot occur if large financial losses continue despite having raised premiums.”

As Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Carolina prepares for Open Enrollment 2017, we at NC Health Plans are likewise committed to assisting all of our customers through the enrollment process.  We offer the most up-to-date enrollment tools available and want to help our clients enroll in the best health plan available with the least amount of stress involved.  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 and speak with one of our experienced and professional agents.

In the wake of Hurricane Matthew, Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Carolina President and CEO Brad Wilson announced in a news release dated October 13, 2016 that “member health and safety are our primary concern and we are taking these steps to help customers focus on their most immediate needs.”  The steps he is referring to are the ones BCBSNC has taken to help ensure their members have the coverage they need during a difficult time of recovery.  The following policies are some of the ways BCSNC is helping members weather the storm and its aftermath:

• Members and employers within the disaster area may be able to delay premium payments for 30 days (call the number on the back of your health card to see if this applies to you)
• Members in the disaster area may be able to get an early prescription drug refill or replace a lost or destroyed prescription (provided member requests this within 29 days of the disaster declaration)
• BCBSNC will provide a 30-day extension for deadlines related to submission of claims, filing appeals, additions of newborns and adopted children, and requests for authorization of medical services

Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Carolina also encouraged members who need additional time on premium payments or medications to call the customer service number listed on the back of their health insurance card.

As a North Carolina based company, Blue Cross Blue Shield of NC has an investment in the communities of North Carolina and in its residents and the company is doing its part to try and help those affected by Hurricane Matthew.  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 and speak with one of our experienced and professional agents.

One of the biggest questions on many minds as Open Enrollment 2017 approaches is “will my health insurance premium rate increase?”  Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Carolina announced last week that the Department of Insurance (DOI) has approved a rate increase of 24.3% for 2017; however, this rate increase will be felt differently among BCBSNC customers.  In May of 2017, Blue Cross Blue Shield NC filed for an average increase of almost 19% for ACA (Affordable Care Act) individual health plans.  When Aetna announced early this fall that they would be exiting the NC marketplace, however, BCBSNC revised that rate filing in an attempt to adjust for the new market.

In a blog article released by Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Carolina on October 14, 2016 Brian Tajili, Director of Actuarial and Pricing Services for BCBSNC, explained that this rate increase will allow the company to “serve our ACA customers in a financially responsible way in 2017.”  He went on to say that Blue Cross Blue Shield NC understands that “these kinds of rate increases aren’t sustainable over the long term,” and reiterated the fact that the company has been consistent in their message that in order for the ACA (Obamacare) to work properly, younger, healthier customers need to enter the market to balance the higher health costs of the current membership.

Of further note, although there will be a rate increase for 2017, it will not be felt equally among all BCBSNC customers.  Blue Cross Blue Shield NC believes that many customers will actually see a decrease in their rates due to an increase in federal subsidies.  Keep in mind, however, that although the subsidies decrease the out-of-pocket costs for customers, they do not decrease the out-of-pocket costs for the company and the ACA market has consistently proven to be an unhealthier market.  The overall rate increase is an attempt to ensure that the company can remain sustainable and that BCBSNC can continue to offer health insurance plans in all 100 counties in NC.

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 and speak with one of our experienced and professional agents.