The Annual Open Enrollment Period for Medicare is coming to an end on December 7th.  If you need to enroll a Medicare Supplement plan or would like to make changes to your current plan, there’s still time!  Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Carolina offers Medicare Supplement plans with added benefits such as Silver & Fit, and also provides Medicare recipients with many choices for Medicare supplemental coverage.

At NC Health Plans we strive to make the Enrollment Period as simple and stress-free as possible and offer a variety of Medicare Supplement plans through Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Carolina.  Your application can be submitted right from the comfort of your home and our licensed NC health insurance agents are available to help you make changes to your existing plan, compare plans or enroll a new plan.

Don’t miss the Medicare Open Enrollment period!  Call 888-765-5400 or visit our website at www.nchealthplans.com.  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.

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.

“In every [life] phase, you’ll be confronted with something that scares you. And you have to go into it being as fearless as you can.”

-Rebecca Minkoff

If you are Medicare eligible and moving or have recently moved to North Carolina, welcome! North Carolina is a beautiful state with a diverse landscape, a rich history and much to offer individuals of every age.  North Carolina is well-known as a great state for retirees and boasts one of the largest populations of military verterans in the country.  We think you will love NC, but let’s face it, moving is a big deal.  As a military spouse of 20 years, I’ve made my fair share of moves and it’s always an ordeal.  In addition to learning a new place and new people, there are a lot of logistics that require time and attention.  Health insurance is one of those logistical issues that can be overwhelming when you move, but we at NC Health plans are here to help.

As a Medicare recipient you have some important things to consider when moving.  If you are newly retiring and new to Medicare, you should begin researching your NC Medicare options.  You will want to get enrolled in Original Medicare (Part A and Part B) through the Social Security office.  Next, you will need to determine what kind of supplemental policy is best for you.  Keep in mind that Medicare Advantage plans are NC county specific so you will need to determine what is available in the county to which you are moving.

If you are already a Medicare recipient, your move to North Carolina opens an important window for you in which you are able to enroll in new supplemental coverage.  It’s important that you do not wait too long after your move to secure NC Medicare supplemental insurance as there are strict rules regarding application deadlines and your ability to enroll your plan with guaranteed issue.  Understanding these important time frames can save you a big headache down the road and make your transition to North Carolina much easier. (more…)