March 1, 2010
BCBSNC 2009 Financial Results Show Stable Finances, Customer Base

Highlights:

• BCBSNC affected by economy but finances, membership stable

• Medical spending for customers increases

• Profit margin declines

Chapel Hill – In 2009 Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina (BCBSNC) continued to see
stability in its customer base and financial performance, despite a difficult economy.
“During this down economy, when many insurers have lost customers, Blue Cross is holding its own.
We remain strong and viable and focused on meeting the health care needs of our customers every day,”
said President and CEO Brad Wilson.

BCBSNC had a net income ratio (profit margin) of 2.1 percent for 2009, equating to just 2.1 cents for
each dollar of revenue. That was down from 3.6 percent in 2008 and below the company’s target range
of 3.5 to 4.5 percent. The company’s profitability was affected by higher medical costs and slower
membership growth due to the state’s down economy. The company’s consolidated net income was
$107.3 million with total revenue at $5.2 billion. (more…)

When it comes to torture, we could all learn a thing or two from kids. Who knows better than they how to extract most anything they want within minutes of applying the technique? I’m talking about whining, of course — that grating mewling that causes us to do anything (anything!) just to make it go away. But you can break the habit. And the rewards of victory can be rich for both of you.
Toddlers
Why they do it: Early talkers whine like babies cry. Some experts say that whining tends to peak in a child’s development when she’s feeling out of control and overwhelmed — emotions that pretty much sum up toddlerhood. She lacks the vocabulary to articulate her frustrations, and that whimpering is the natural default noise.
Certain triggers, such as hunger and fatigue, can also cause breakdowns (true for kids of all ages), so keep that in mind the next time you take your toddler grocery shopping close to naptime.
How to stop it: Patience becomes the first rule when confronted with these early bouts of whining. When her son, Matthew, who’s almost 3, melts down because he can’t wait ten more minutes for dinner, Rae Sullivan of Durham, North Carolina, gives him a little extra attention, like five minutes of lap or snuggle (more…)

Blue Advantage health insurance through Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Carolina is our most popular individual health plan in NC.  This is a traditional PPO plan with doctor office co-payments as low as $15 for your primary care physician and as low as $30 for a specialist.  BCBSNC allows you to build your own plan, selecting deductibles ranging from $250.00 up to $5000.00 with co-insurance starting at 50% up to 100%.  Blue Advantage Plans also allow an add on option of Dental Blue and/or maternity coverage as well.   (more…)

It’s more important than ever to be a savvy health care consumer.  You can take charge of your health by knowing where your money goes and committing to live a healthier lifestyle. 

What we all pay out-of-pocket is a small percentage of the overall cost of health care.  BCBSNC continues to look for more ways to make health care less of a burden and more of an advantage. 

You can take your dollar further by enrolling in free and discounted programs:

• Improve your health and save money by joining Member Health Partnerships.  These programs offer special tools and savings to help you lose weight, manage stress, quit tobacco and manage a host of other conditions.
• You might be eligible for discount programs including chiropractic care, vitamins and supplements, vision and Lasik, hearing aids, and weight management.
• Enjoy Blue365 Discounts with savings from selected companies on healthy lifestyle products and services.

Stay in-network:  Visiting in-network health care providers save you out-of-pocket costs.  You can check out the online provider directory to see what doctors participate in our network and what deductible and coinsurance amounts may apply to your visit.

Save money with generic drugs:  Did you know that some drugs can cost 80 percent less than their brand-name counterpart?  Make a habit of asking your physician or pharmacist if a generic option is available.

The information above is brought to you from BCBSNC, A Guide to a Healthier You, 2009.

For more information on health insurance coverage in North Carolina and how to utilize My Member Services, please visit our website at www.nchealthplans.com or call our toll free number 888-765-5400 and speak with one of our qualified 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.

A traditional PPO, BCBSNC’s Blue Advantage offers great coverage, a range of premium and deductible options to meet your budget.  You can provide coverage for your child/children or for your entire family.  Often times, if covered under a group sponsored plan, an employee will move their children to a private plan to save in premium.

•   Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Carolina has a broad range of premium and deductible options for you to pick from.  With predictable co-payments and the largest provider network in the State of North Carolina, this local company has been serving the State of North Carolina for more than 70 years offering North Carolinians the most popular individual health insurance plan in the state. (more…)

Health insurance companies use historical data and analysis to predict the medical expenses for any given group of individuals (usually a company’s employees). The premiums they charge are based on the amount of claims they’ve paid in the past and what they expect future claims to cost. When insurers pay out more in claims than they receive in premiums and when future services are predicted to cost more, premiums go up.

As consumers, we are demanding more medical services than ever before. And the cost of these services is going up. These increased costs are passed on to employers in the form of increased premiums. Insurance companies work with employers to adjust services offered, as well as co-payments and deductibles, to minimize the impact of rising costs.

Take time to understand your health plan — it can help save healthcare dollars for you and for all Americans. For example, many health plans offer a reduced co-pay if you choose FDA-approved generic prescription drugs, so you pay less. Because the average total cost of a generic drug is three times less than the brand name, it helps keep costs down in your health plan.

Understanding the basics of how health insurance works and how to make the most of your own health plan can help keep healthcare affordable for everyone.

The content of this post is from BlueCross BlueShield Association’s article “Coverage Basics: How Health Insurance Works”

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 qualified 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.