As we begin to look towards health care reform, it will be important for you to decide whether to keep your grandfathered Blue Cross Blue Shield plan or to switch to a new Non Grandfathered plan.

You have flexibility. If you like your current plan, you ca stay with it.   For may people, this will be the best course of action because it may be the least expensive option.

You may qualify for a premium tax credit that can be applied to health insurance premiums; however, premium tax credits cannot be applied to your current grandfathered plan.  It may still be in your best interest financially to stay with your grandfathered plan.

Before moving forward, you should take the time to evaluate both the benefits of staying with your current grandfathered plan and the benefits of 2014 BCBSNC health care reform compliant plans.

The choice is yours. Remember, avoid the penalty and keep a plan.  It is important to note: once you leave a grandfathered plan, you cannot go back to it.  If you have questions, we’re here to help.

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.

The information in this article was taken from “Health Care Reform is Coming” from BCBSNC on April 2013.

NEW YORK — About 550,000 people in Oregon do not have health insurance, and Aaron Karjala is confident the state’s new online insurance exchange will be able to accommodate them when enrollment under President Barack Obama’s healthcare reform begins on October 1.

What Karjala, the chief information officer at “Cover Oregon,” does worry about, however, is what will happen if the entire population of Oregon — 3.9 million — logs on that day “just to check it out,” he said. Or if millions of curious souls elsewhere, wondering if Oregon’s insurance offerings are better than their states’, log on, causing Cover Oregon to crash in a blur of spinning hourglasses and color wheels and an epidemic of frozen screens.

Multiply that by another 49 states and the District of Columbia, all of which will open health insurance exchanges under “Obamacare” that same day, and you get some idea of what could go publicly and disastrously wrong.

Obamacare, formally known as the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (ACA), could fail for many reasons, including participation by too few of the uninsured and a shortage of doctors to treat those who do sign up. But because its core is government-run marketplaces selling health insurance online, the likeliest reason for failure at the opening bell is information technology snafus, say experts who are helping with the rollout.

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Health care reform is on many of our minds.  After all, the Affordable Care Act (ACA), will be in full swing by January 2014. But many people
still have questions about what the ACA is and how it will affect them.

We’re going to walk you through the ACA and help you understand how  it could affect your premiums, your health insurance coverage and costs.
And we’ll discuss your options for finding a plan that’s right for you or your small business.  Health care reform is on many of our minds.

Watch our informative Video and learn more about the Affordable Care Act and how it will impact you, your family and your business.  Our agency will help you make a plan selection through Blue Cross Blue Shield of NC or Blue Cross products through the exchange.  Keep in mind, if you qualify for a subsidy, you will need to select a plan offered by BCBSNC through the exchange and we will be here to guide you through that process.

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.

Health care reform will be different for everyone, so it’s important to know your options.  We’re here to help.

One of the first things you will need to do is determine if you have a grandfathered plan (which refers to health insurance plans that were in effect prior to March 23, 2010.  If you are not sure, we will be able to find that information for you.

If you DO NOT have a grandfathered plan:

We will automatically move you to a 2014 BCBSNC health care reform compliant plan that most closely matches your current plan.  Your new plan will look a lot like what you have today.  You always have the option to change this plan during the annual open enrollment period. You will want to determine if you are eligible for a premium tax credit.  If you are, this can be applied to your new plan to lower your monthly premiums.

Remember, avoid the penalty and keep a plan!

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.

The information in this article was taken from “Health Care Reform is Coming” from BCBSNC on April 2013.

Health care reform mandates that all new 2014 compliant plans include 10 Essential Health Benefits.

Have a look. Some of these benefits already existed, so new or expanded benefits are listed in bold:

• Ambulatory patient services
• Emergency Services
• Hospitalization
• Maternity and newborn care now automatically covered
  
• Increased benefits for mental health and substance use disorder services including behavioral health treatment
• Prescription drugs
• Rehabilitative and habilitative services and devices
• Laboratory services
• Preventive and wellness services and chronic disease management
• Pediatric services, including oral and vision care

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.

The information in this article was taken from “Health Care Reform is Coming” from BCBSNC on April 2013.

Already a Blue Cross Blue Shield individual member? We know you have questions about how to prepare your family for Health Care Reform.  Jerry Ballard & Associates has the perfect personalized tool for you…. BLUE MAP!

Blue Map is on online tool created by BCBSNC to help address your 2014 Health Insurance options.  This tool will help you find the right solution.  Just answer a few simple questions, and get a personalized recommendation based on your member profile that will outline your options.  This interactive, easy-to-use web application is designed to provide you with personal options, explaining the choices you have in choosing a plan.  Check out Blue Map today as you begin to prepare for your 2014 Health Insurance needs.

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.

The information in this article was taken from “Health Care Reform is Coming” from BCBSNC on April 2013.

Terminology that you will need to understand as you begin to prepare for the Affordable Care Act.

Premium Tax Credits- These will be made available to low and middle income Americans and applied to health insurance premiums.  Cost Sharing Reductions will limit a plan’s maximum out-of-pocket costs.

Grandfathered- Refers to health insurance plans that were in  effect prior to March 23, 2010 and that have not undergone specific changes.  The ACA allows grandfathered plans to be exempt from some ACA requirements.

Health Care Reform (HCR)- The changes that will occur on January 1, 2014 as a result of the comprehensive health care reform law known as the AFFORDABLE CARE ACT.

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.

The information in this article was taken from “Health Care Reform is Coming” from BCBSNC on April 2013.

Trust that Jerry Ballard & Associates will provide you with the tools and resources that will navigate you through the Health Care Reform process!

Blue Map: This is an interactive, easy-to-use web application designed to provide you with a personalized recommendation explaining the options you in choosing a plan.  BCBSNC will be sending you information on how to use Blue Map, so look for it in the mail.  In addition, we will provide support and assistance to you via our website and by calling our office.

Events will be held throughout North Carolina to explain the nuances of health care reform and provide an opportunity for attendees to ask questions. BCBSNC will let you know when we’re coming to a town near you.

A variety of BCBSNC plan options should make finding the right solution easy for each and every member.

The BCBSNC health care reform website has content that clarifies health care reform as well. As your agent, we are ready to assist you.

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.

The information in this article was taken from “Health Care Reform is Coming” from BCBSNC on April 2013.

Milestones and Dates that you will want to keep in mind as Health Care Reform comes closer:

June 2013: Blue Map should help you find the right solution. Just answer a few simple questions, and get a personalized recommendation based on your member profile that will outline your options.

Summer 2013: BCBSNC events will be hosted throughout North Carolina. We will let you know when we are coming to a town near you.

September 2013: Enrollment begins in one month. You will receive your renewal/enrollment kit. Will you have changes or need new plan options?

October 2013: New health care reform plans are available for a 2014 effective date. Have you completed your Blue Map? You can review your options and get a quote.

December 2013: Deadline is approaching to make changes to your current plan or sign up for a new one.

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.

The information in this article was taken from “Health Care Reform is Coming” from BCBSNC on April 2013.

Today, health insurance covers a wide range of benefits but exactly what is included can vary based on where someone lives and the policy they purchase. Beginning January 2014, the Affordable Care Act (ACA) will create a more uniform standard, requiring that all health insurance coverage for individuals and small groups includes certain treatments and procedures deemed “essential health benefits.” Large groups are not required to comply with the essential health benefits requirements. The underlying idea is that the “essential benefits package” be equal to the coverage offered under a “typical employer plan.” Ten general categories were identified as essential health benefits:

• Ambulatory patient services;

• Emergency services;

• Hospitalization;

• Maternity and newborn care;

• Rehabilitative and habilitative services and devices;

• Laboratory services;

•  Mental health and substance use disorder services, including behavioral health treatment;

• Prescription drugs;

• Preventive and wellness and chronic disease management; and

• Pediatric services, including oral and vision care.

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.

The information in this article was taken from Nchealthreform.com on 3/7/2012.

Beginning in July 2010 – Consumers with health problems who have been uninsured for 6 months may be eligible to obtain coverage through a new high risk pool program. And a temporary reinsurance program will help employers who provide coverage to their retirees in maintaining this coverage.

Beginning in plan years on or after September 23, 2010 – Pre-existing condition exclusions are prohibited for children under 19, dependents up to age 26 will be able to obtain coverage through parents’ health plans, routine preventive care will be covered without cost-sharing, limits on lifetime coverage will be eliminated along with other changes.

Beginning in 2014, the new law requires that all individuals have coverage and insurers must offer coverage to anyone regardless of health status and cannot vary premiums based on health status.

In 2014 – Individuals and small businesses will be able to purchase coverage through state-based exchanges. Consumers will be able to purchase health insurance regardless of health status and premiums cannot vary because of health status. Individuals will be required to purchase health insurance or pay a penalty. Subsidies will be available on a sliding scale to help individuals or families with incomes up to 400 percent of the federal poverty level to purchase insurance through new state-based exchanges.

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