With back to school comes back to youth sports and if your children are participating, it’s important to make sure they are covered in case of accident or injury.  The soccer fields, football stadiums, volleyball courts, and swimming pools are full once again with school-aged children gearing up for a full season of team training and competitive sports.  Accidents and injuries are bound to occur and when they do, Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Carolina has you covered! (more…)

It’s back to school time again and I don’t know about you, but one of the toughest parts is making sure my kids eat a healthy, high-protein breakfast before rushing out the door just after 7 am.  Studies show that children need a good, preferably protein-based breakfast in order to achieve optimum success in school, but as a working mother of four, this can be a challenge.  I need something quick, tasty and easy to prepare as well as something I can make ahead of time and refrigerate or freeze.  This recipe for Egg Muffins from Recipe Girl is my all time favorite for busy school mornings when kids are dragging and may wind up having to eat in the car. (more…)

August means back to school, but did you know it is also recognized as National Immunization Awareness month?  Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Carolina is proud to serve the residents of NC by providing health coverage for children and adults alike.  BCBSNC has made preventive care a top priority by covering preventive services at 100% so that you never have to worry whether or not your kids are receiving the health care they need. (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…)

For anyone who’s ever had a baby or anyone who is expecting to have a baby, you know all too well.  A baby changes everything!  There are so many new things to think about and determining the proper amount of health coverage for your new bundle of joy is one of the most important.  (more…)

As a licensed agent for Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Carolina, I am almost always thinking about insurance and other health related issues.  This week, however, my first born started Driver’s Ed, making thoughts of health and accident insurance exponentially more personal as visions of my teenage son behind the wheel of a car have my heart palpitating and my blood pressure on the rise.  (more…)

I grew up in the generation of Jaws, when a great white shark became the subject of most children’s nightmares.  As a kid, I didn’t spend much time at the ocean, but I can remember having moments when I even felt afraid to be in the deep end of a swimming pool, my imagination run wild with images of young girls being pulled under and gobbled up by vicious man-eating sharks.  As an adult, I have watched my children spend endless hours bobbing up and down in the waves of both the Pacific and the Atlantic and although I know there is nothing they would rather do than boogie board, I still catch myself feeling moments of panic at the thought of what might be lurking out in the water just inches from my offspring.  For years, I have told myself that this is foolish thinking and forced myself to give my children the freedom they need to enjoy one of the greatest things on earth – a day at the beach.

But this year, I’m having second thoughts.  (more…)

It has now been 5 years since President Barack Obama signed into law what is officially called The Affordable Care Act (ACA), but often referred to as Obamacare.  All of us have heard of it and most of us have felt its effects in one way or another, but because of the complexity of the law, many Americans still have questions.  (more…)

Well, today is Friday and the first official day of summer for my kids.  Last night I attended my eldest son’s 8th grade graduation ceremony after a full week of class parties, awards assemblies and teacher appreciation celebrations.  I put away the lunch boxes with a silent shout of thanks for the two and a half month respite from having to figure out how to pack an affordable, healthy lunch for four children, while being sensitive to the allergy concerns of every other child in the school.  I threw 27 folders full of worksheets straight into the garbage can, along with four pencil boxes full of nubby pencils, broken crayons and pen caps that look like my kids have been using them to cut teeth.  When I leave work today, I am embarking on a one-week vacation to one of my favorite places in all the world – Ocracoke, North Carolina where I intend to do absolutely nothing for 7 days.

And of course… like all good mothers, spouses and employees, I feel a little guilty.  The thought of leaving the responsibilities of my home, pets and work in the hands of others for a week is borderline painful for my all too Type A, perfectionist personality.  Let’s face it, rest doesn’t always come easily.  In a world where performance matters and achievement is mandatory, I think most of us struggle to admit, let alone embrace, the fact that our bodies and our minds quite simply need a little vacation.  But they do!

In fact, the New York Times reported that taking a vacation can actually improve your physical health and that both men and women who take a vacation every two years compared to every six will lessen the risk of coronary heart disease or heart attacks.  According to Elaine Eaker, author of a study by the Framingham Heart Study, “This is real evidence that vacations are important to your physical health.”

And that’s really no surprise.  With exercise, for example, your body needs both periods of strenuous activity combined with periods of rest in order to maximize training effects.  In much the same way, 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 arise from accumulated pressure and discouragement, making you “more creative and productive than [your] overworked, under-rested counterparts.”

But that’s not all.  “When you’re stressed out and tired, you are more likely to become ill, your arteries take a beating and you’re more likely to have an accident.  Your sleep will suffer, you won’t digest your food as well, and even the genetic material in the cells of your body may start to become altered in a bad way,” says Dr. Susan Krauss Whitbourne, a professor of psychology at the University of Massachusetts Amherst.  She asserts that mentally “you become more irritable, depressed and anxious and your memory will become worse and you’ll make poorer decisions.  You’ll also be less fun to be with, causing you to become more isolated, lonely and depressed.”  Similarly, Dr. Ellen Langer, a psychology professor at Harvard University, told CNN that mindless, uninterrupted routines tend to result in boredom, which hinders creativity and mindfulness and is, therefore, counterproductive.

So what’s the bottom line?  You need a vacation!!  From your computer and your commute.  From your laundry and your laptop.  From your yard work and your yoga class  From your shopping list and your smart phone.  You need to get away! As the New York Times reported, “Human beings aren’t designed to expend energy continuously. Rather, we’re meant to pulse between spending and recovering energy.”  In other words, we need to work hard and play hard in order to maintain a healthy balance in our lives.

So maybe I’m self-justifying or simply looking for research to back me up and ease the uncomfortable guilt I’m feeling at the thought of a responsibility-free week at the beach, but I don’t think so!  There’s a reason the research is there.  Vacations are as important to our mental and physical health as maintaining a regular exercise regime and healthy diet.  Vacations provide extended periods of rest as well as offering us a new perspective.

Luckily for me, I work for people who understand this completely and make vacation time an easy request.  Even if you don’t, however, maintaining your physical and mental health is one of the most important things you can do, not only for yourself, but also your employer.  Don’t let guilt or the thought that your company can’t manage without you for a few days keep you from taking the time off your body and mind need to function properly.  I am a part of an industry where health and health maintenance really matter so preventive care is always on my mind.  Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Carolina makes this a top priority.  But whatever industry you are a part of, the facts remain the same – you need vacation time.

This summer, take the people you love to a place you love and discover the health benefits of a good old fashioned summer vacation!

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.

The terms “in -network” and “out-of-network” are terms you may have heard in relation to health insurance, but understanding the implications of these terms is of utmost importance as you select, enroll and manage your Blue Cross Blue Shield of NC health plan.  In fact, understanding your network and how it works can have a big impact on the cost of your health care and a little research can save you a lot of money.

The first thing to understand is that Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Carolina is not an HMO, meaning you are not required to stay within your network in order to have coverage.  This is good news in that it allows you more freedom and flexibility, as well as covering you in case you have an out-of-network provider you either prefer to use or must use for your medical needs.  The benefit of both in-network and out-of-network coverage is not something every health insurance company offers, which is one of the reasons BCBSNC is a recognized leader among health insurance providers and the only company with a presence in all 100 counties within the state of North Carolina.

That being said, it is still in your best financial interest to stay in-network. In fact, the difference between “in-network” coverage and “out-of-network” coverage can sometimes be the difference between a small co-payment and having an office visit that is subject to your medical deductible.  That is why understanding your network is so important.

Basically, BCBSNC has four different networks available:  Blue Advantage, Blue Select, Blue Value and Blue Local.  The broadest of these networks is the Blue Advantage and over 95% of doctors and hospitals in the state are a part of the Advantage network.  If you can afford it, this is always the network we would recommend as it offers you the most amount of choices when it comes to in-network providers.  Blue Select is a tiered network and though also a broad network, it will require a little more management in that some of the providers are Tier 1 providers and some are Tier 2 providers and there is a difference in the cost of these two tiers.  If you choose to go with a Blue Select plan, just keep in mind that you will need to research the tiers and providers therein prior to selecting a doctor or hospital.

Blue Value is a more limited network than either Blue Advantage or Blue Select.  In fact, the Blue Value network is not even offered in some areas simply because there are not enough participating providers to warrant that option.  However, in some instances and if your doctors and hospitals are a part of this network, choosing a Blue Value plan can be a smart way to save money as the monthly premiums are lower.  Keep in mind, however, that this is where doing your research becomes necessary.  If you have a particular doctor or specialist you must see, you may want to call his or her office and verify that they are a part of the Blue Value network and accept that plan.  Less expensive can be good, but only if you are satisfied with your choice of providers and have ample doctors and hospitals to choose from in your area.  You can always use the BCBSNC Find a Doctor tool to research providers.

Finally, Blue Local is the most limited of the four BCBSNC networks.  This is a new network with Carolinas HealthCare System and is only available in nine counties in North Carolina.  Again, this network will be less expensive, but also more exclusive.  If you do not intend to stay within the Carolinas HealthCare System, this is not the network for you as you will wind up paying out-of-network prices.

The main thing to remember is that a small amount of research can save you big bucks in the long run.  Taking a few minutes to call your doctors to determine which plans they accept and which networks they are a part of can make a drastic difference in your overall out of pocket healthcare expenses.  Blue Cross Blue Shield of NC is committed to providing a broad range of coverage at a variety of price points, allowing you to determine which networks and which plans work best for both your family and your finances.

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 NC knows the importance of staying healthy and with every change in season, new health issues arise.  Spring is in full bloom and on the bright side, the air is warming, trees are budding and the grass is turning green again.  Flu season has passed and the lethargy we can sometimes feel during the long winter months is lifting.  On the down side, temperatures are inconsistent, there is pollen in the air and people are sniffing and sneezing more than any other time of year.  The question is:  Are you suffering from seasonal allergies or do you have a common cold?  Believe it or not, the answer is not as simple as you might think and even doctors sometimes find it difficult to tell the difference.

Simply put, a cold is caused by hundreds of different viruses.  When any one of these viruses gets into your body, your immune system attacks it in an attempt to protect you.  Some of the effects of your immune system’s response are the classic symptoms of a cold.  For instance, congestion, coughing and sneezing are your body’s attempts to get rid of the invading virus.  Also, the germs that cause colds are contagious, meaning they are transferred from one person to another through sneezing, coughing or shaking hands.  At most, however, in a couple of weeks your immune system should fight off the virus and your cold symptoms should cease.

Allergies, on the other hand, are caused by an overactive immune system because your body is mistaking harmless substances, such as pollen or dust, for germs.  Once the mistake has been made, your immune system will begin attacking the pollen or dust as if it were a more harmful virus.  Your body then releases chemicals such as histamine, which in turn causes swollen nasal passages, runny nose, coughing, sneezing and watery eyes.  Unlike the viruses that cause colds, allergies are not contagious, though there could exist some genetic predisposition to developing them.

Although similar in symptoms, there are some basic differences between seasonal allergies and the common cold which may help you determine from which you are suffering.  Knowing the difference is important, especially when it comes to contagion and treatment.  Keep in mind these basic differences:

Duration:  A cold will last 3-14 days, whereas an allergy could last for days or months, as long as you are exposed to the allergen (pollen, dust, etc.).

Time of year:  A cold most often occurs in the winter months, but is possible any time of year.  Allergies can happen any time of year, but are most common during changes of season.

Onset of symptoms:  With a cold, symptoms take a few days to appear following infection with the virus.  Allergy symptoms can begin immediately after exposure to the allergen.

REVIEW THE FOLLOWING CHART FOR COMMON SYMPTOMS:

Symptom                                Cold                            Allergy

Cough:                                     Often                           Sometimes

Aches:                                     Sometimes                   Never

Fatigue:                                   Sometimes                   Sometimes

Fever:                                      Rarely                          Never

Itchy or watery eyes:               Rarely                          Often

Sore throat:                             Often                            Sometimes

Runny or stuffy nose:              Often                           Often

As is clear from the above list of symptoms, although there are differences between a cold and allergies, there are also some similarities.  One of the most important differences is the fact that one is contagious and one is not.  If you have a symptom that is not typical of an allergy, it is likely you have a cold and you may want to consult your physician, stay home from work or school and take medications aimed at relieving cold symptoms.  For seasonal allergies, there are a number of medications that offer relief, as well as some more natural home remedies.  Unfortunately, for those who suffer from allergies, full relief from symptoms may take as long as it takes the season to change.  Blue Cross Blue Shield of NC wishes you a happy, healthy spring and if seasonal allergies are taking their toll, take heart!  Summer is just around the corner!

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.

This is the season to celebrate Moms and all they’ve done for us over the years.  Personally, a vast majority of my memories of my mother are of her standing in the kitchen preparing a delicious meal or a decadent dessert.  I’ve often heard the statistic that the busiest day in the restaurant business is Mother’s Day and that makes sense.  We want to relieve our Moms of the burden of making yet another meal.  As for me, I like the idea of giving Mom a break, especially now that I have children of my own and understand the hard work that goes into being a Mom.

This year, however, try doing what Mom does for you.  Instead of taking her out for supper, perhaps prepare a meal in the home for her to enjoy.  Pour her a glass of wine or make her a cup of coffee and let her sit down while you don the apron and oven mits for a change.  Despite how much work it is to keep a household running, most Moms truly love their homes and enjoy having peaceful moments in their own space.  Find a recipe, do the shopping, set the table, prepare the meal and clean up afterwards!  I can almost guarantee Mom will not only feel special, she will have a wonderful Mother’s Day memory.

If the task of preparing an entire meal feels a bit too daunting, try this.  Take Mom out to dinner, but have a delicious dessert prepared for her when you arrive home.  Nothing is quite as nice as homemade and Mom understands how much work goes into making homemade ANYTHING.  Trust me when I tell you, a homemade dessert will make her day.

Because my own Mom loves coconut, I found this recipe from allrecipes.com for delicious, decadent Old Fashioned Coconut Cream Pie.  It’s not difficult to make, but it will take some time to chill in the refrigerator so plan ahead.  Using sweetened flaked coconut, half and half, sugar, vanilla and whipped topping, there is really nothing particularly healthy about this recipe, but we think that’s okay.  Mother’s Day is one of the days splurging is definitely allowed.  The pie will take about 20 minutes to prepare, another 30 minutes to bake, but about 4 hours in the refrigerator.  Our suggestion is to get your pie chilling either before you cook your Mom a meal or while you take her out to eat so it will be ready for dessert.

This year, let Mom know how much you appreciate all she’s done to make your life a little sweeter by giving her something sweet of her own to enjoy.  And to all you Moms out there, Happy Mother’s Day from Jerry Ballard and Associates and Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Carolina. 

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.