At NC Health Plans, we love summer!  But did you know that extended periods of rest are actually important to your health?  According to the New York Times, taking a vacation can actually improve your physical health and both men and women who take a vacation every two years compared to every six, will lesson the risk of coronary heart disease or heart attacks.  Elaine Eaker, author of a study by the Framingham Heart Study, confirms saying “this is real evidence that vacations are important to your physical health.”

Similar to exercise, which requires periods of strenuous activity followed by periods of rest to maximize training effects, periods of work combined with periods of relaxation maximize productivity.  According to about.com, taking time off to rejuvenate will help insulate you from the symptoms of burnout that can arise from accumulated pressure making you “more creative and productive than your overworked, under-rested counterparts.”  Ellen Langer, a psychology professor at Harvard University told CNN that mindless, uninterrupted routines tend to result in boredom, which hinders creativity and mindfulness. (more…)

If you are turning 65, you are facing a big transition when it comes to your health insurance.  Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Carolina and NC Health Plans can help by offering you important information on Medicare Supplements, Senior Dental plans and other supplemental health policies that can fill in the gaps left by Original Medicare Parts A & B.  Medicare may sound simple, but there’s a wealth of information you need to know in order to make the best decision for your health care needs.  Having a licensed Blue Cross Blue Shield agent on your side can aid in making the move to Medicare a much more seamless process and enlisting the help of an agent comes at no cost to you.

Although your Initial Enrollment Period for Medicare will not begin until 3 months prior to your 65th birthday month, you should begin your research as early as six months out.  Knowing what is and is not covered by Original Medicare may surprise you and it’s important to be informed.  In addition, you can begin getting an idea of what types of Medicare Supplement plans are available to you and what steps you need to take to enroll.  Keep in mind, you can enroll in a BCBSNC Medicare Supplement 3 months prior to your birthday month and we recommend submitting an application well in advance of the effective date you need.  That way, you will eliminate any risk of having a gap in coverage. (more…)

Did you know that summer can be hard on your smile?  Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Carolina and Dental Blue, however, help you practice crucial preventive care throughout the year.  Studies indicate that extreme heat can actually harm your teeth and gums and the high temperatures, dehydration and activity surrounding the summer months make it more important than ever to maintain oral hygiene.  Unfortunately, some of the best parts about summer such as swimming, citrus fruits and drinks like oranges and lemonade, and outdoor sports are some of the worst things for your teeth.

Humidity can lead quickly to dehydration, which in turn can lead to deterioration in the oral tissue.  It’s important to stay hydrated for multiple reasons, but keep in mind your mouth needs moisture too.  To prevent dry mouth, brush and rinse regularly, drink plenty of water, and chew sugar free gum.  Gum chewing helps increase the production of saliva in your mouth which will aid in preventing the negative effects of dry mouth. (more…)

If you or a loved one has ever been faced with an accident or illness that requires skilled nursing care, physical therapy, speech therapy or other types of home health care, you know how important it is to be able to recover at home comfortably and free of financial stress.  Perhaps you have aging parents and are concerned how a sudden illness or unforseen accident might affect your ability to care for them without having to admit them into a nursing home or assisted living facility.  Or maybe it’s you or your spouse that could possibly need at home health care. Either way, a Home Health Care policy can help.

For as little as $12.15 monthly, a Home Health Care policy pays benefits directly to you and in addition to other NC health insurance you may have, including Medicare.   (more…)

Medicare Supplements through Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Carolina are a great way for individuals already enrolled in Medicare Parts A and B to fill the coverage gaps left by Original Medicare.  Although some people who have a Medicare plan may also have supplemental coverage provided by a former employer to help pay health care costs not covered by Medicare, many do not.  If you don’t have access to employer coverage, you may choose to select a Medicare Supplement through a private carrier such as BCBSNC.

You can enroll in a Medicare Supplement through Blue Cross Blue Shield NC and have guaranteed issue (meaning you cannot be denied coverage) during the Initial Enrollment Period.  This period begins the first day of the month in which an applicant is both age 65 or older and enrolled in Medicare Part B.  This is the very best time to enroll in a Medicare Supplement.  There are, however, other special circumstances when a Medicare eligible person loses their current coverage through no fault of their own when they may be eligible for a Medicare Supplement through BCBSNC on a guaranteed issue basis. (more…)

Transitioning into Medicare can be a big adjustment, especially for those individuals now living on a fixed income, but Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Carolina can help make that transition simpler.  Did you know, for instance, that Medicare will provide extra help for prescription drug costs for certain individuals who meet specified income and resource limits.  Similar to a federal subsidy under the Affordable Care Act for individual under-65 health plans, Medicare offers assistance to those who meet certain criteria.  If you do qualify, you could receive extra help paying for your Medicare drug plan.

Some people may automatically qualify for this program.  For instance, if you have Medicare and become eligible for Medicaid or if you receive Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits without Medicaid, you will likely qualify.  Medicare usually notifies those who automatically qualify and do not need to apply.  Keep in mind, you must be enrolled in a Medicare drug plan in order to receive the extra help benefit. (more…)

If you are age 65 or older, consider investing in your dental health by enrolling in a Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Carolina dental plan.  Your preventive care will be covered at 100% and there are no waiting periods for preventive services.  In addition, a BCBSNC Senior dental plan will provide coverage for other important basic and major dental services.

The importance of health care as we age is relatively apparent, but have you ever considered why dental health matters more than ever?  For many reasons, as we get older we are at an ever increasing risk of developing oral health problems.  In fact according to SeniorLiving.Org Expert on Senior Care & Assisted Living, Chris Hawkins the following issues are some of the most serious: (more…)

With a Home Health Care policy from Standard Life, you can now receive benefits for at home care up to $300 daily, plus a prescription drug benefit, with premiums starting as low as $12.15 a month.  These benefits allow you the freedom to recover at home without additional financial stress and can help you afford certain necessities that come with convalescence.  All benefits are paid directly to you and in addition to any other health insurance you may have.  While not a replacement for a Long Term Care policy, a Home Health Care policy can be a less expensive alternative for those that may not qualify for Long Term Care. 

The effects of an unexpected accident or chronic illness can be difficult on both you and your family members. If you or a loved one has ever required at home care for physical therapy, chemotherapy or other medical services, you know that having the resources you need to recuperate in the comfort of your own home is priceless.  Being able to live at home while receiving the care you need can make convalescing a much less lonely and expensive process.  In addition, it allows the ones you love to continue their lives and maintain responsibilities while having peace of mind in the knowledge that you are well-cared for at home.  (more…)

My kids love Mexican food and so do I.  The problem is that a lot of Mexican food is really unhealthy and can leave you feeling weighed down.  This recipe for Santa Fe Chicken Saute from Campbell’s Kitchen, however, highlights the lighter, springier side of Mexican food and offers you a delicious and healthy alternative to your everyday enchiladas.

It’s also incredibly easy to make and can be thrown together on a busy school night and served up with a salad in about 30 minutes.  Although it does call for some canned food, like black beans and tomato soup, it also incorporates fresh or frozen kernel corn, fresh cilantro, and green onions.  This dish is perfect over a bed of rice or quinoa and if your family likes avocado, a fresh slice of avocado on top adds flavor, color and a healthy dose of good fat. (more…)

Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Carolina supports healthy living at every age and has served the residents of NC for over 80 years by offering quality health insurance products, to include Medicare Supplement plans, at a competitive price.

If you are over the age of 65 and still working a job that offers you health coverage or if you are still covered by your spouse’s employer insurance, you may have chosen to delay enrollment in Medicare Part B.  Keep in mind, however, that once you lose that employer coverage you will only have 8 months to enroll in Part B or you could lose your special enrollment and be subject to penalties.  Your monthly premium for Part B coverage increases 10% for each full 12-month period you could have enrolled in Part B, but chose not to and that can add up quickly.  In addition, if you miss that 8-month window, you may also find that you are unable to enroll until the General Enrollment period (Jan. 1- March 31) and your coverage will not begin until July 1 of that year, which could lead to a gap in coverage.

If you plan ahead, however, you can avoid these pitfalls and your transition into Medicare can be seamless.  A good rule of thumb is to start the process of enrolling in Part B two months prior to losing your group coverage.  Keep in mind that enrollment in Medicare Part B is required if you intend to enroll in a Medicare Advantage or Medicare Supplement Plan to help cover the health care costs not covered by Medicare.  Once your Part B enrollment information is in the system, you can begin working on applications for other Medicare products, like Supplements. (more…)

Under the ACA, you are now required to have a Qualifying Life Event (QLE) in order to enroll in a health insurance plan outside of Open Enrollment.  A Qualifying Life Event is some kind of special circumstance that allows you to enroll in coverage under a Special Enrollment Period and some common QLE’s include loss of access to minimum essential coverage through an employer or Medicaid, a move to North Carolina or to a different zip code within NC, or adding a dependent through birth or adoption.

If you do not have one of the life events, however, you will be unable to enroll in health coverage until the next Open Enrollment, which begins November 1, 2016 with coverage starting January 1, 2017.  Unfortunately, this rule excludes many individuals and can make it difficult, if not impossible, to get a health insurance plan.  If you find yourself in this position you may be asking:  What can I do to get health insurance? (more…)

Spring is in the air and if you are looking for easy and delicious ways to improve your mood, energy level, skin tone and brain power, these super foods may be just what the doctor ordered.  In many ways, food is the very best medicine if used correctly and BCBSNC and NC Health Plans believe in preventive care maintenance. This spring, try eating your way to a healthier, happier, more whole you!  Below are some foods that can give you the nutrients you need: (more…)