Now that the holidays are over and the New Year has begun, you may find yourself wondering if you missed your chance to acquire health coverage for 2015.  Good news!  There is still plenty of time to apply.  Although December 15th was the application deadline for coverage beginning January 1st, Open Enrollment is still ongoing and will be until mid-February.

If you are applying for a government subsidy through the healthcare Marketplace, you can still get coverage beginning February 1st as long as you complete your application by the 15th of January.  Also, if you are NOT applying for a federal subsidy, you can be in a Blue Cross Blue Shield individual health plan as early as January 15th, provided you complete your application by midnight January 8th.

Don’t forget:  Under the Affordable Care Act, you are required to carry health insurance or incur a tax penalty and the penalty is increasing.  For 2015, the penalty is 2% of your yearly household income or $325 per person and $162.50 for each child.  In order to avoid paying a tax penalty, the federal government has mandated you cannot go more than a three month period without health insurance and that’s where Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Carolina can help.  Not only will a BCBSNC health plan save you from incurring this tax penalty in 2015, it will also give you the peace of mind that comes from knowing you and your family are covered in times of sickness and health.

Whether you are applying for a federal subsidy or not, Blue Cross Blue Shield of NC has a health plan that will fit not only your family’s health care needs, but also your budget.  Don’t miss your opportunity to apply.  The New Year has begun, but there is still time to complete an application for health insurance before Open Enrollment 2015 comes to a close.

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.

Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Carolina announced that it will begin providing many of its ACA (Affordable Care Act) members the opportunity to receive an in-home visit offering a comprehensive medical exam.  During this at-home visit, members can review medications and discuss health care conditions and concerns with a licensed medical professional.  BCBSNC is offering this program in an effort to better assess the health conditions of its members and to help encourage members to practice preventive health care maintenance.

Because Blue Cross Blue Shield NC recognizes that many of its members are new to the health care system, they are making strides to try and engage new ACA enrollees in a health maintenance program.  These visits not only offer members a chance to discuss their health history with a professional from the comfort of their own home, the home assessment also helps identify any urgent health care problems.  During the visit, members can ask questions and get advice on issues they may need to discuss further with their primary care doctor.  Once the at-home visit has taken place, the health professional will share the results from the assessment with the member’s primary care doctor to ensure that the PCP has knowledge of the member’s overall health status and to help manage any health concerns.

BCBSNC sent letters to many ACA members and has also made phone calls offering these in-home health assessments.  Members may have been contacted for various reasons, including being high-risk, having no prior history with a Primary Care Physician or having a medical condition that would benefit from such an assessment.  These home assessments come at no charge to members and are performed by certified registered nurse practitioners, physicians and physician’s assistants.  Although not required, Blue Cross Blue Shield NC encourages its members to take advantage of the at-home assessment.

Typically, the at-home visit take about an hour and there is no lab work or blood work done during the assessment.  At the conclusion of the visit, the health provider will provide the member with information based on the outcome of the assessment and will discuss the importance of maintaining a relationship with a health care professional.  Members are being encouraged to follow-up with their PCP to discuss the outcomes of the assessment.

BCBSNC is committed to the health and well-being of its members.  Offering in-home health assessments is just one more way Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Carolina is striving to insure the health of North Carolina residents.  For more information on Blue Cross Blue Shield of 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 is bringing in the New Year with a whole new look, but it isn’t simply cosmetic.  Blue Connect will replace My Member Services starting January 1st, 2015 and although the changes are big, they were made with you and your family in mind.  We live in a fast paced, media-driven world and BCBSNC is setting the standard for keeping you and your health care needs connected in an innovative and user friendly way.  In fact, when you become a member of Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Carolina, you don’t just get an insurance policy.  You get a partner in healthy living.  Blue Cross Blue Shield’s Blue Connect allows you the opportunity to see not only your policy and premium, but how your money is being spent, where you can save an extra dollar and how much of your deductible has been exhausted.  With a personalized webpage that graphs how your family is using your health care dollars, you can make sure you are getting the most out of your insurance policy.

In addition, Blue Connect wants to partner with you in preventive care maintenance by allowing you to track your daily fitness, weight loss goals and nutrition plans as well as helping you link the fitness apps you already use as part of your daily wellness regimen.  Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Carolina knows that preventive care is the most important part of living a healthy lifestyle and Blue Link provides you with a place to integrate and manage all of your wellness goals and data.  If a healthier lifestyle is part of your New Year’s resolution, then this is the place to start.

In fact, finding a doctor or hospital in your area has never been easier with Blue Connect’s updated and improved Health Navigator.  Find Primary Care Physicians, Specialists and Mental Health Care Providers in your area, plus read reviews on these health care providers from other Blue Cross Blue Shield members.  You can research which plans certain providers accept and Blue NAV will tell you which tier those doctors and hospitals fall into.  With Blue Connect, there is never a reason you can’t stay in network with a doctor or hospital you have researched and reviewed.

Allowing you to manage everything from mail order prescriptions to finding the best pediatrician in your local area, Blue Connect is a friendly personal assistant for all your family’s health care needs.  It’s a new year and with all the changes in insurance due to the Affordable Care Act and subsidy eligibility, you may have more questions than ever.  With pertinent news and information on both your insurance policy as well as steps you can take toward preventive care, Blue Connect is your family’s new healthcare hub for 2015.

For more information on Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Carolina health insurance coverage, the Marketplace and healthcare gov if you qualify for a 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.

Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Carolina wants you to know that your kids matter and we have them covered from head to toe with pediatric dental and vision benefits.  Pediatric dental and vision coverage, including orthodontia services, is considered one of the Affordable Care Act’s 10 essential health benefits required on all qualified health plans.  This coverage is no longer part of a separate Dental Blue policy, but rather included in Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Carolina’s medical policies.  What this means is that you no longer have to purchase a separate dental policy for children under the age of 19 and pediatric vision benefits are embedded into your child’s medical plan, giving you the confidence of knowing your kids are covered.

Below is a general summary of the coverage you can expect; however, you should always review the benefit details of your individual policy.

PEDIATRIC VISION:

• One preventive eye exam per benefit period: (For individual plans copay or deductible/coninsurance apply depending on the plan)
• One pair of lenses and frames or one pair of contact lenses covered at 50% after the deductible: (Disposable contact lenses are not covered)
• The provider must file the claim for lenses and frames.

PEDIATRIC DENTAL:

Diagnostic and Preventive Services: (oral evaluations, cleanings, X-rays, topical fluoride, sealants, and more)

• In-network: $25 copayment
• Out-of-network: $50 copayment

Basic/Major Services: (routine fillings, simple extractions, stainless steel crowns, surgical tooth removal, inlays, onlays, crowns, and more)

• In-network: 20% after medical deductible
• Out-of-network: 40% after medical deductible

Medically Necessary Orthodontia:

• Covered the same as Basic/Major Services
• 12 month waiting period (from the member’s effective date) applies

Whether your son needs eye glasses or your daughter needs sealants, BCBSNC is here to help with pediatric dental and vision coverage included in all health plans.  See what makes a Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Carolina health plan the perfect coverage for you and your kids!

For more information on Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Carolina 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 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.

With the holidays just around the corner, the last thing on your list may be health insurance, but Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Carolina wants to remind you that Open Enrollment 2015 is in full swing and in order to ensure that your health coverage begins January 1st, your application must be completed by midnight, December 15th.

This is the season for giving and one of the nicest things you can give yourself or the people you love is peace of mind.  A BCBSNC health plan offers just that.  Providing health plans that cover preventive care at 100% and a large network of providers across the state of North Carolina, a Blue Cross Blue Shield of NC health plan will give you the confidence of knowing your family is covered for all of their health care needs.

We understand this is a busy time of year and that is why we are committed to helping you get into an affordable health plan as quickly as possible.  Negotiating Open Enrollment 2015 can be tricky and we don’t want you to get lost in the process.  At Jerry Ballard and Associates, we understand your time is valuable and never more than during the holidays.  We know you don’t have hours to waste being stuck on hold or being unable to speak with a live person and that’s where we come in!

The holidays are rapidly approaching, but don’t be caught off guard.  As you are marking your calendar with all sorts of important holiday plans, don’t forget… in order to receive an effective date of January 1st, your application must be completed by midnight, December 15th!  Start the New Year out right by joining BCBSNC and experience the benefits that come from being a Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Carolina member.

For more information on Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Carolina 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 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.

As you may be aware, the Annual Enrollment Period for health insurance will begin on November 15th. If you a currently enrolled in a BCBSNC plan, you might be unsure what steps you need to take, if any, during the Annual Enrollment Period (AEP) if you want to keep your plan or change your plan for 2015.  That is why Blue Cross Blue Shield of NC has created Blue Map.

Blue Map is a tool created especially for BCBSNC members who purchased individual plans to help guide them through the renewal process. If you are enrolled in a plan through BCBSNC and it is not through an employer and you’re not enrolled in Medicare, then you are likely on an individual plan. Your steps during AEP are based on several different factors and Blue Map can help you determine which steps you should take when Annual Enrollment begins .

Members can access Blue Map through the BCBSNC website. You will be prompted to answer the following questions and, based on your answers, Blue Map will help guide you in the right direction. Here is a preview of what questions to expect through Blue Map:

1. Are you currently a member?

2. Do you get your health insurance through work?

3. Are you enrolled in a Medicare plan?

4. Do you have a Grandfathered Plan? (If you enrolled in your plan on or before March 23, 2010 and no changes have been made, you are likely on a Grandfathered plan)

5. Do you have a Transitional Plan? (If you enrolled in your plan between March 24, 2010 and October 1, 2013, have not made any changes, and did not move to a new Affordable Care Act plan, you are likely on a Transitional plan)

6. Do you get a subsidy (tax credit) from the Health Insurance Marketplace for your monthly health insurance bills?

Your answers to these questions will determine what your next steps should be. Blue Map is a simple, straight forward tool that can help members understand exactly what they will need to do, if anything, to ensure they keep their plan or move to a new plan in 2015.

For more information on Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Carolina 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 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.

Annual Enrollment 2015 is rapidly approaching and Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Carolina has you covered.  Every Blue Cross Blue Shield of NC member is a valued customer and as Open Enrollment gets underway there are some things you may need to know.  First of all, if you are happy with the BCBSNC health plan you currently have, you can keep it for another year.  Your plan will automatically renew.  Keep in mind, however, that you may still have a little work to do with regards to the renewal process, depending on the type of plan in which you are currently enrolled.  In order to make this easier for you, BCBSNC has created Blue Map, a tool developed especially for members who purchase individual plans.

If you are not yet a Blue Cross Blue Shield member, but are interested in purchasing a health insurance plan, Annual Enrollment is the time to do it.  The Annual Enrollment Period (AEP) is the once-a-year window when you are able to renew, update, change, or enroll in an Affordable Care Act (ACA) plan.  If you do not do so, keep in mind that you cannot make changes or enroll a new plan once AEP ends unless you have a Qualifying Life Event that makes you eligible for the Special Enrollment Period.  The Annual Enrollment Period ends on February 15th, 2015.

Here are some important dates to keep in mind:

• Late Oct.-Early Nov:
• All BCBSNC members will receive information about your 2015 rate and any other changes to your benefits.
• Nov. 15, 2014:
• The Annual Enrollment Period begins.  This is time to make limited changes to your current plan, change to a new plan, or enroll in a BCBSNC health plan for the first time.
• Dec. 15, 2014:
• This is the deadline to make changes to your plan or enroll in a new plan in order for coverage to begin on January 1, 2015.
• Jan. 1, 2015:
• Coverage and new rates for your 2015 plan begins (provided you met the deadline of Dec. 15).
• Feb. 15, 2015:
• This is the last day you can make changes to your plan before the end of the Annual Enrollment Period.

Annual Enrollment doesn’t have to be overwhelming.  Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Carolina is here to provide not only the best coverage you can buy, but also guidance when you need it most.

For more information on Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Carolina 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 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.

Fall has officially arrived and Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Carolina thinks autumn is a great time to eat your way to healthy.  Fall vegetables, especially root vegetables, abound this time of year and can easily become a part of your fall health regimen.  In addition to being delicious, vegetables such as carrots, sweet potatoes, turnips, beets, radishes, onions and garlic contain significant amounts of vitamin C and beta-carotene, both of which help to clean the blood and prevent heart disease, high blood pressure and stroke.  Because of the high amounts of antioxidants they contain, eating root vegetables can significantly improve your physical health, as well as improving your mental well-being.  The antioxidants contained in root vegetables help remove free-radicals and harmful toxins from your body, leaving you feeling refreshed and rejuvenated, physically, mentally and emotionally.

In addition, most root vegetables are high in complex carbohydrates as well.  These carbohydrates break down into sugar in your body, giving you the energy and ability to function properly throughout the day.  Root vegetables are high in fiber, as well as being low in fat and calories, making them the perfect food for staying fit.  The high amounts of nutrients root vegetables absorb from growing underground will help satisfy your cravings for junk food, which in turn will help you lose excess weight.  The fiber in these vegetables also helps clean out your digestive system, increasing energy levels for an active lifestyle.

One of the great things about root vegetables is that they can be eaten year round and in almost any way imaginable, while still tasting great.  They add variety and flavor to soups, stews and casseroles and can also be eaten steamed or raw.  Eating root vegetables in their raw state will maximize the health benefits to your body and they are a great addition to salads, smoothies or vegetable juices.  For recipe ideas click here.

BCBSNC is committed to preventive care on every level and a big part of prevention is maintaining a healthy diet.  In fact, every health plan Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Carolina offers covers at 100%  screening, counseling and management for obesity in both adults and children, including nutrition counseling.  (Review the summary of benefits and coverages for more information).  This year, make fall a season for nutritious eating by adding a variety of delicious root vegetables to your daily diet… and eat your way to healthy!

Before starting any weight loss program, always consult your doctor first and get his/her clearance for physical activity and find out if there are any issues that would affect you participating in a new nutrition and fitness program.

For more information on Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Carolina 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 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.

Did you know if you are a Blue Cross Blue Shield of NC member your health plan covers you across the United States and around the world through Blue Card?  All you need is your membership ID card!

So, how does Blue Card coverage work?

In an emergency, go to the nearest doctor or hospital. In emergency situations, services will be processed at in-network rates, even when services are received from an out-of-network provider.

For non-emergency care in the US visit a participating Blue Card doctor or hospital for the highest level of covered benefits. You may visit a non-participating Blue Card doctor or hospital, but your out-of-pocket expenses will be higher, except in the case of an emergency. When you arrive at the doctor or hospital you are visiting, you will simply present your BCBSNC membership ID card. To find a Blue Card doctor in the area you are in, you can search the “Find a Blue Card Doctor” tool online or call the customer service phone number on the back of your ID card.

Coverage varies outside of the US, therefore for non-emergency care outside the US, you simply contact BCBSNC Customer Service prior to your trip for specifics on the country you will be visiting.  Also, visit Blue Cross Blue Shield Association Worldwide online to print a list of doctors in the country you will be visiting.

As always, don’t forget to bring your BCBSNC membership card when you travel!

For more information on Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Carolina health 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.  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.

It’s Saturday night and your baby has a fever. How serious is it? Who can you call?

Call Health Line Blue! One of the many advantages of being a BCBSNC member is having the luxury of contacting Health Line Blue 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

As a member, you don’t have to wait until Monday morning to find out answers to your health questions. Health Line Blue nurses are available around the clock to help you. No more frustrating web searches or nights and weekends spent wondering what the answers are to your health concerns.

So, what exactly is Health Line Blue? Health Line Blue is a 24-hour health information line available to many BCBSNC members. It also includes the Dialog Center, an online resource that includes a variety of tools, including an online encyclopedia of medical information, a health risk assessment survey and more! Members have access to an online video about Health Line Blue as well, simply by logging in to your My Member Services account.

From illnesses and injuries to evaluations of treatment options and health coaching, Health Line Blue is a no-cost service designed to help members make informed medical care decisions.

*In a recent survey of members, the 24-hour nurse line program was voted as the top resource that would increase satisfaction with health plans.

For more information on Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Carolina health 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.  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.

*2014 Consumer Assessment of Healthcare Providers and Systems results

If you did not get health coverage previously under the Affordable Care Act, you can enroll in a plan for next year starting Nov. 15. And if you are already covered, you can change or renew your plan for next year. If you don’t sign up by Feb. 15, 2015, you will be without coverage until January 2016 unless you have a qualifying life event .

There are at least three key components to choosing an ACA plan that is right for you and your family: Benefits, premiums and the network of doctors and hospitals.

Benefits:

All ACA plans are required to cover “essential health benefits” as described in the law. And all individual plans must cover preventive health benefits entirely.

Beyond these requirements, consumers have choices when it comes to how much they pay out-of-pocket for covered services. Plans are broken into four categories — bronze, silver, gold and platinum. As these names suggest, bronze plans have the highest deductibles and co-payments, platinum the lowest.

When shopping for a plan, look for the “Summary of Benefits and Coverage” which describes what the plan covers. Also be sure to review each plan’s prescription drug formulary to see what drugs are covered. Or call the plans you’re considering and ask about any specific services you think you might use in the coming year.

Premiums

Health plans across the nation have been preparing customers for changes in rates from current plans for the new ACA enrollment period.  Generally speaking, the higher your out-of-pocket costs, the lower your premiums are. This tradeoff between rates and out-of-pocket costs is an important element to consider when shopping for coverage, CLICK HERE FOR YOUR NEW 2015 RATE.

Federal subsidies help consumers pay for coverage through the ACA. If your household income is between 100% and 400% of the federal poverty level, you do not have coverage through an employer, and you meet certain other requirements, you will be eligible for a federal subsidy to purchase a plan through the exchange.

Networks

Another important consideration for consumers is whether their current physicians and hospitals are in-network. Going outside the plan’s network typically results in higher charges — sometimes significantly higher. And some plans don not cover services provided outside their networks.

If you have had coverage before, or have a current plan, do not automatically assume your doctors will still be in-network for a new or renewed plan. It is best to check each time you go through an open enrollment period. All ACA plans are required to tell consumers which providers are in the plan’s networks. When shopping, look for the link to the provider directory.

For more information on Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Carolina 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 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.

A reminder of those summer nights by the campfire.  A great dessert we found from “How Sweet It Is”  s’mores jar cakes have buttery graham crusts covered with fluffy double chocolate chip cake and pillowy marshmallow toppings that are so perfectly browned and bubbly you can taste the campfire and smell the midnight July breeze.

makes 4 16-ounce mason jar cakes

for crust:

1 1/2 cups graham cracker crumbs; 1/2 stick butter; pinch of salt; Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

Melt butter and mix in graham crumbs and salt. Mix until moistened. Spray 4 mason jars with non-stick spray and press graham crust into jars. I began by adding a tablespoon to each, and repeating until graham crumbs were gone. They don’t need to look perfect. I pressed the crumbs down firmly with the flat bottom of a clean screwdriver.

for cake: 1 1/8 cups all purpose flour; 1/4 cup dark cocoa powder; 1 1/4 teaspoon baking soda; 1/2 teaspoon salt; 3/4 cup brown sugar; 1 egg; 1 teaspoon vanilla extract; 1/2 cup milk; 1/2 cup + 1 tablespoon heavy cream; 1/2 cup butter, melted; 2 tablespoons sour cream

for topping: 1 bag of large marshmallows

In a bowl, whisk egg and sugar until smooth and no lumps remain. Add milk, cream, butter and vanilla, and mix until combined. Stir in sour cream. Sift dry ingredients together and add to wet mixture. Mix until batter is smooth. Using a 1/4 cup measure, add batter to mason jars one scoop at a time. You only want to fill them up about half way, and the batter should work evenly for 4 jars. Again – don’t worry if it is perfect. Place mason jars in a baking dish and add about 1 1/2 cups of water to the bottom. Bake for 30 minutes, or until cake is set.

Remove cake from the oven and press large marshmallows down on top, being careful not to burn yourself. There is no set number of marshmallows to use, I pressed down as many as I could, about 4-5 each. Heat the broiler on your oven and watching carefully, brown marshmallows for about 1-2 minutes, or until golden brown. Do not take your eyes off them! Serve immediately.