Blue Advantage/Blue Options HSA – NCHealthPlans.com Health News

Compare Health Care Costs with BCBSNC Cost Estimator

Kristen Baily — Tue, 08 Sep 2015 15:50:28 +0000

For most of us, if we are in the market to buy a new television one of the first things we do is research and compare costs. After all, no one wants to pay more than they have to for a product when other similar products are available. For health care procedures, however, comparing costs has never been simple. Until now. Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Carolina offers its members a user friendly online tool that allows you to compare the price of more than 1200 non-emergency and elective procedures in the state, making managing your health care easier than ever. With BCBSNC’s Cost Estimator, you can now shop around and compare costs before making decisions about your health care needs, which makes becoming a BCBSNC member a smart choice.

For instance, if you need an MRI, a hip replacement or cataract removal, now you can compare what doctors and hospitals around the state are charging for that treatment. You can estimate your own out-of-pocket expense and also view quality ratings for the doctors and facilities providing the service you need. This allows you the knowledge you need to make smart decisions about your health care.

Blue Cross Blue Shield NC uses historical claims data to determine cost estimates and create averages and the amounts listed on the Cost Estimator tool typically include physician fees and other costs for things such as prescription drugs and medical supplies. With the rising cost of health care, it’s important for you to find the best quality and most affordable health care available to you. It’s also important for you to know what you will be paying for before you elect to do a procedure with a specific provider.

The Health Cost Estimator allows you to research hospital fees, office visits, surgical and non-surgical procedures, clinic fees and more. If you are a member of Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Carolina, not only do you have access to a broad network of providers, you also have access to the prices being charged by those providers. Keep in mind that the Cost Estimator will not provide you with actual costs as those can be different based on variations of factors such as anesthesia, facility fees, etc. However, the Cost Estimator tool will give you an idea of what you will be charged based on BCBSNC claims data over a 12-month period.

Knowledge is power and giving you all the information you need to make good decisions about your health care needs is a priority at Blue Cross Blue Shield NC. Before you schedule a surgery, MRI, or other health care procedure, visit BCBSNC’s Blue Connect and estimate the cost of your service based on your health plan. Discover the benefits of being a BCBSNC member!

For more information on Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Carolina health insurance coverage, the Marketplace and healthcare gov to apply for your subsidy, 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. Let us help you navigate through the Health Care Reform changes in accordance with the new regulations of The Affordable Care Act, also known as Obama care.

Save for the Unexpected – Get a BCBSNC HSA Compatible Health Plan

Kristen Baily — Wed, 11 Mar 2015 13:31:03 +0000

Do you currently have enough savings to cover an unexpected health emergency? If not, you may want to start setting aside money in 2015. With the cost of health care on the rise, it is important to know you and your family are covered in case of a medical emergency. One route you may want to consider is obtaining a Health Savings Account Eligible health plan. If you purchase an HSA-compatible high-deductible health insurance plan, you can pair it with a health savings account and start saving for the unexpected. Funds placed in the HSA account may be used for qualified medical expenses and there is no minimum contribution amount. You are also able to claim a tax deduction for any and all contributions you make throughout the year. In this way, your money grows on a tax-free basis.

In 2015, HSA holders can save up to $3350 for individuals and $6650 for families. Holders 55 years of age and older can save an extra $1000, increasing savings for individuals to $4350 and $7650 for families. All of this money is 100% tax free so this is a great way to increase wealth and create a small tax shelter. For more information on HSA limits for 2015, click here.

Also, in 2015, a high-deductible health insurance plan is one with a deductible of at least $1,300 for self-only coverage and $2,600 for family coverage. See eligible Blue Cross Blue Shield HSA compatible plans.

Once you have a clear idea of your healthcare needs and your financial situation, you can determine your plan options and compare benefits. If 2015 brings life changes that make a different kind of insurance plan something to consider, consider a BCBNC HSA compatible high-deductible health plan and start saving the smart way!

HSA 2014 Contribution Limits

Cathy — Fri, 21 Feb 2014 07:38:17 +0000

Health Savings Account Contributions amounts are updated each year by the federal government to account for inflation. For 2014, the maximum annual contribution is $3,300 for an individual (up $50 from 2013), and $6,550 for a family (up $100 from 2013). In 2014, those age 55 or older can contribute an additional $1,000 above the maximum to their HSA.

Blue Options HSA is a new way to pay for health care. Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Carolina has taken their most popular plan design’s PPO network and paired it with a High Deductible Health Plan (HDHP) and a health savings account (HSA), which has similar characteristics to a 401(k) or an IRA but for qualified medical expenses. Blue Options HSA offers many advantages. Get your Free Rate Quote for this plan today and call our office so we can go over the benefits and process to apply and enroll.

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). It would be our pleasure to help you navigate through the Health Care Reform changes in accordance with the new regulations of Obama care. Call us for details.

Tax Credits – Lower your Insurance Premium

Cathy — Tue, 18 Feb 2014 21:01:22 +0000

To help make health care more affordable, the federal government offers advance premium tax credits, or subsidies, to low-to middle-income individuals and families. Your subsidy is an advance premium tax credit and is applied directly to your premium. Subsidies reduce the monthly cost of an insurance plan. You do not have to pay the cost upfront and receive your tax credit later.

To be eligible for a subsidy, you must meet certain requirements. Be between 100% and 400% of the federal poverty level (FPL). Not eligible for public coverage, such as Medicaid, the Children’s Health Insurance Program, Medicare or military coverage. Not have access to insurance through an employer. An exception can be made if the employer’s plan doesn’t cover at least an average of 60% of covered benefits or if the employee’s share of the premium is more than 9.5% of his or her income. Employers can tell you if their plans meet these criteria. Subsidies can be used on any plan you choose except for grandfathered plans and catastrophic plans for those under 30. How much of a subsidy you qualify for is based on income and household size.

Our FREE RATE QUOTE through Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Carolina offers a calculator to estimate your subsidy. Just click on the blue calculator at the top of your rate quote and enter the income information.

Tax Credits and Cost-Sharing Reductions

Cathy — Fri, 14 Feb 2014 20:47:22 +0000

Getting your subsidy starts with a free rate quote. When you generate your rate quote, you can estimate your subsidy and how it affects your premium. To apply you simply press Get Started, in your quote, to begin your application. Once you register, there will be a link you click on that will take you to the Marketplace to complete your subsidy and get the actual amount you qualify for. You can enroll in your plan through the Marketplace and Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Carolina will send you a bill once healthcare.gov uploads your file to BCBSNC.

In addition to advance premium tax credits, the government also provides cost-sharing reductions (CSR) for those who qualify. Cost Sharing Reductions allows you to pay for a standard silver plan, but get richer benefits. To be eligible for Cost Sharing Reductions your income must be between 100% and 250% of the federal poverty level (FPL). CSR is only available on silver plans. These special CSR plans provide enhanced benefits that can mean your “silver” plan has the benefits of a plan with a higher metallic value.

Once at the Marketplace, you will need your Social Security number, employer and income information to register and complete your subsidy application. You can apply online or you can call and complete your application by phone. Then you will be automatically transferred back to BCBSNC to see your final subsidy and premium. Choose and buy your plan. You can call our office 888-765-5400 to go over the plans, process and confirm deadline dates to enroll.

Other types of lower-cost health plans

Kristen Baily — Mon, 29 Jul 2013 14:00:10 +0000

Other types of lower-cost health plans

If you feel you’re not ready for the type of high-deductible plan, you have other options. There are other types of plans that have lower premiums and higher deductibles that allow you to make certain decisions about what benefits you really need. If there are some coverage benefits you may not need, such as brand-name prescriptions, you can choose a plan without that benefit. Some plans also offer limited doctor visits and others even come with traditional copayments for primary care visits, if you’re more comfortable with a traditional plan design.

How we can help

Now that you understand more about how high-deductible health plans work, and how they compare to traditional health plans, you may feel more confident about choosing a specific health plan. Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina offers high-deductible health plan options that can fit your health care needs and your budget. Your agent can explain your options and help you choose the plan that fits you best.

The local company you can trust

When you choose Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina, you have peace of mind knowing you’re with a local company trusted by the people of North Carolina for more than 77 years. As the most preferred health care insurer in the state, we’ve also earned the trust of more North Carolinians than any other health care insurer.

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.

How a high-deductible health plan can help you save money

Kristen Baily — Mon, 15 Jul 2013 14:08:21 +0000

Another benefit of having a high-deductible health plan is that it makes you eligible for a health savings account (HSA) that enables you to pay for qualified medical expenses tax free.

The funds you contribute to your HSA, up to the annual contribution limit, are not taxed. That means you can save up to $300 on taxes for every $1,000 you contribute. When you use your HSA funds to pay for qualified medical expenses, such as office visits, prescriptions, lab tests, hospital stays, medical procedures and much more, the withdrawals are also not taxed. For a list of qualified medical expenses visit www.irs.gov and reference Publication 502.

With an HSA you can:

Make tax-free contributions up to the allowed annual limit

Keep the account even if you change insurance plans or jobs — it’s your account

Use the funds for eligible medical expenses, also tax free

Roll over any unused balance at the end of the year — the money is always yours

Though you pay for health care expenses out-of-pocket until you meet your deductible, a high-deductible health plan can give you the most value for your health care dollar over the plan year.When you compare the potential expenses of a typical individual on a traditional copayment plan and the same individual with a high-deductible health plan over the course of the plan year, you may see that the high-deductible plan can be a better value. High-deductible health plans can offer:

Lower monthly premiums over traditional copayment plans

Protection against high-dollar medical expenses, such as surgeries and hospitalizations+

In-network doctor visits and other services at rates lower than rates paid by those without health insurance

Choosing a high-deductible health plan can provide peace of mind. You’ll know that you have access to the health care you need when you need it most.

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.

Compare Your Coverage with Blue Cross Plans

Cathy — Tue, 04 Dec 2012 19:37:53 +0000

Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina (BCBSNC) offers three primary health care plans for individuals and families. All of our plans offer unique benefits and multiple deductible options. And, they all cover preventive services received within our extensive network at 100%. With options like these, you’re sure to find a plan that works for you.

You can generate a quote today and compare your plans with numerous plans offered by Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Carolina. You can select from our Blue Options HSA, Blue Advantage and Blue Saver plans. You do not pay any premium when you apply, once your application has gone through underwriting for a final decision, you can change to any plan you want prior to making payment. You are not under any obligation to enroll once your application has been approved. Apply today

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.

Blue Options HSA Online Changes Effective July 18th

Cathy — Tue, 12 Jul 2011 13:59:37 +0000

Beginning July 18, 2011, Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Carolina is making changes to the way that Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina (BCBSNC) members view and access information about their Health Savings Account (HSA) online.

If plan participants are enrolled in a Blue Options HSASM account and their fund administrator is ACS/BNY Mellon, subscribers in that plan will notice the following changes:

Beginning July 18th, subscribers who log into BCBSNC’s Member Services (www.mybcbsnc.com) will notice that the “My HSA Account” link is being replaced with a “Manage My HSA” link. This link will direct subscribers to www.hsamember.com, a site hosted by ACS/BNY Mellon, the HSA fund administrator.

Subscribers who are accessing www.hsamember.com for the first time will need to complete the e-registration process with ACS/BNY Mellon. Then, to access their HSA account information at any time, they simply log into their new hsamember.com account. (This account and log-in process is separate from their BCBSNC Member Services account.)

With www.hsamember.com, BCBSNC members will have more of their HSA information at their fingertips than ever before, and the site is easy and convenient to use.

“My HSA Account” pages will no longer be available on bcbsnc.com. Members will be able to access similar information, and more, from the www.hsamember.com website and from www.bcbsnc.com.

This information was published by Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina on July 5, 2011.

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.

New HSA Limits for 2012

Kristen Baily — Thu, 23 Jun 2011 17:00:34 +0000

The annual contribution limit for health savings accounts (HSAs) will increase for high deductible health plans with effective dates of January 1, 2012 or later.

For individuals with self-only coverage enrolled in a high deductible health plan, the maximum HSA contribution amount will increase from $3,050 to $3,100. For individuals with family coverage enrolled in a high deductible health plan, the maximum HSA contribution amount will increase from $6,150 to $6,250.In 2012, a high deductible health plan will continue to be defined as a health plan with an annual deductible that is at least $1,200 for self-only coverage or $2,400 for family coverage, and an annual out-of-pocket maximum amount that does not exceed $6,050 for self-only coverage or $12,100 for family coverage. Out-of-pocket expenses include deductibles, co-payments and other amounts, but do not include premiums.

Information in this article is from a BCBSNC press release and was posted on June 1, 2011 at bcbsnc.com.

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.