Although Memorial Day is typically, and I think appropriately, celebrated by throwing some burgers on the grill in the backyard, the holiday has some important origins.  Formerly known as Decoration Day, Memorial Day is a federal holiday observed every year on the last Monday of May.  The holiday originated after the American Civil War to honor soldiers of both the Union and Confederate armies who had died during the war.  Even today, many people visit cemeteries or war memorials on this day and hundreds of volunteers place a small American flag on each grave in the national cemeteries.  Not to be confused with Veteran’s Day, which honors all the men and women of the Armed Forces, Memorial Day is a day specifically intended to celebrate and remember the service members who died while serving.

The traditional observance of Memorial Day is as follows:  The United States flag is raised to the top of the staff and then slowly lowered to the half-staff position, where it remains until noon.  The half-staff position is in memory of the more than one million men and women who have given their lives in service of their country.  At noon, the flag is then raised by the living to full-staff as a symbolic resolution not to let the sacrifice of the dead be in vain, but to stand in their place and continue to fight for liberty.

This Memorial Day, while we are grilling burgers, taking our kids to the beach or taking our boats out to sea with friends, let us a take a moment and be thankful for the freedom we still enjoy.  It may sound pithy, but freedom really isn’t free and the fact that we can do the things we love the most is a gift for which many men and women have given their lives.

For more information on acquiring 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.

NC Health Plans offers short term health insurance

College students are one of the largest demographics of uninsured Americans and universities and colleges all over the country are mandating coverage in order to change that statistic. Over the last few years, more and more colleges and universities have insisted on health insurance as a prerequisite to enrollment as they realize the benefits of knowing their students are covered in case of accident or illness.

Although some colleges and universities offer health insurance on a semester basis, many student policies end during the months when school is not in session, which can leave a big gap in coverage.  Even further, many health plans offered by schools are quite expensive or don’t offer the depth or quality of coverage many students need.  So what is the answer?

A good option is temporary health insurance.  Despite the fact that there are some limitations to short term health plans, a temporary policy can ensure you have coverage you need while in school. Don’t let your college student go without coverage!  Enroll in a temporary health insurance policy.  You won’t have to miss class and you will have the peace of mind of knowing you are covered for all of your health care needs.

For more information visit www.temporaryhealthplans.net or call and speak with one of our licensed and professional agents at 888-765-5400.

And that is just what Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Carolina is doing.

As many other insurance companies are pulling out of the ACA market altogether, Blue Cross Blue Shield of NC is committed to pressing forward.  Wilson went on to say, “For the past three years, we have been the only health insurer to offer ACA plans in all 100 counties. Our commitment to doing what’s best for North Carolina is unwavering. But the best thing for North Carolinians is for BCBSNC to remain a strong, viable company that can continue providing coverage to our customers.”

As you prepare and consider your health insurance options, remember that BCBSNC has been serving the residents of North Carolina for over 80 years, offering reliable coverage at a competitive price.  In 2017, you will be able to enroll in a BCBSNC health plan both on and off the federal Marketplace.  At NC Health plans, we are committed to helping you through the enrollment process from beginning to end and utilize the most advanced, user-friendly application process, allowing you to get a quote, determine subsidy eligibility, choose a plan and submit an application in a matter of minutes.

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.

Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Carolina

Here are 5 easy things you can do to improve the condition of your heart:

1. RELAX:  This may sound simple, but in today’s fast-paced, media-driven society, finding time to relax can be tough.  It’s important for your heart, however, that you make relaxation a priority in your day.  The kind of relaxation that relieves stress calms tension in your body and mind and can relax blood vessels in the heart, which results in lower blood pressure.  Deliberate relaxation involves purposefully sitting quietly twice daily for 10-15 minutes.  You should find a distraction-free zone where you can close your eyes and breathe deeply, focusing on the intake and output of oxygen.  Relaxing with purpose can be a life-saving activity.
2. EAT SMART:  Heart-healthy foods include salmon, oatmeal, blueberries, dark chocolate, red wine, tomatoes, nuts, avocado and green leafy vegetables.  Choosing a few times a week to swap a less healthy protein such as beef or pork for a leaner protein such as fish can decrease your risk of heart disease substantially.  Good fish options include sardines, anchovies, salmon, herring, trout, and canned white tuna.
3. STOP SMOKING:  Smoking is just bad for your heart.  It increases heart rate and blood pressure and can lead to blood clots in the blood vessels.  Health insurance plans are typically 20% more expensive for people who smoke and this is the only health question you will be asked on an insurance application under the Affordable Care Act.  The savings alone is reason enough to quit, but your heart will thank you also!  Apply with BCBSNC today for your lower rate.
4. LIMIT CAFFEINE INTAKE:  Caffeine is present in coffee, tea, soft drinks and chocolate.  Be moderate in your consumption and try limiting your intake to no more than a cup or two a day of caffeinated beverages.  If you like soda, sparkling water is an excellent substitute and will give you all of the fizz without any of the negative health effects.
5. GET SOME SLEEP:  When it comes to being heart healthy, getting a good night of sleep is paramount.  Poor sleep quality adds stress to your heart and can increase your risk of developing high blood pressure.  When it comes to your heart, getting sufficient sleep is just as important as maintaining diet and exercise.

It’s nothing new.  In fact, it’s just what Mom always told you.  Eat right, get some rest, and avoid bad habits that take a toll on your heart.  It’s a new year and making these few simple changes could give your heart a whole new chance at life!  BCBSNC supports heart health by offering preventive care services covered at 100%.  Contact one of our licensed and professional agents to discuss your Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Carolina options.

For more information, 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.

Turning 65 is a big milestone and transitioning into Medicare can be an overwhelming prospect.  With Original Medicare Parts A and B, various other Medicare options, and Medicare Supplements offered through Blue Cross Blue Shield of NC, it can be tough to figure out which plan is best for you.  Although understanding Medicare and what it covers may take some getting used to, at NC Health Plans we want to make it as easy as possible.  Here are a few basic things to keep in mind as you begin researching your Medicare options.

Not Everyone is Eligible for Medicare:

• You must be age 65 or older OR you must be eligible due to a disability or End-Stage Renal Disease.
• You or your spouse must have been employed for at least 10 years.
• You must be a United States citizen or a permanent resident.

If you do not meet these requirements, you can contact the Medicare office to find out if you are eligible to apply under other special circumstances.

There are specific Enrollment periods for Medicare:

Like under 65 individual health plans, you cannot just enroll in Medicare whenever you choose.  The federal government has established specific enrollment periods and if you do not enroll during these times, you could pay a penalty in addition to your premium.  Understanding these enrollment periods is very important.

• Initial Enrollment Period:  This is the 7-month period when you can first enroll in Medicare.  It consists of the 3 months before the month you become Medicare eligible, the month you are eligible, and the 3 months after the month you become eligible.
• Annual Enrollment Period:  You can enroll in Medicare coverage or change to a different plan.  This period is from October 15th-December 7th.
• Annual Disenrollment Period:  This is the period where Medicare Advantage members can switch to original Medicare and may also enroll in a Part D plan.  This period is from January 1-February 14 of every year.
• Special Enrollment Period:  As with under 65 individual plans, there are many special circumstances that allow you to enroll in Medicare outside of the other enrollment periods.

Not all Medicare plans are the same:

Enrolling in Medicare does not come without choices and not every Medicare plan is the same.  Do some research to determine which Medicare plan offers you the coverage and benefits you need.  Once you are eligible for original Medicare, you may want to look closely at obtaining a Medicare Supplement, which can help fill in the gaps not covered by Medicare.  Although Original Medicare is offered by the federal government, in most cases a Medicare supplement plan is needed to offset health costs.

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.

If you are a new Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Carolina member , there are some basic ways you can begin managing your health insurance policy to maximize benefits and minimize out-of-pocket expenses.  Below are some helpful tips that will help you make your new NC health insurance plan work for you.

1. Pay Your Premium! – Keep in mind that having health insurance is a way to protect yourself against unforeseen accidents and illnesses.  You could pay your monthly premium for months and never really use your plan;  however, it only takes one incident or illness to remind you how important it is to remain insured.  Setting up automatic bank draft is a great way to make sure you never miss a payment and this gives you the peace of mind of knowing you are covered when it counts.
2. Carry your ID Card – By now, you should have received your new BCBSNC ID card.  This card references your policy numbers and also provides you with important phone numbers you can call when you need help with your policy.  You can also register with Blue Connect and print additional copies of your ID card should you need them.  Storing a photo of the front and back of your ID card in your cell phone is another great way to make sure you always have a copy when you need it.
3. Use the Services Provided – Blue Cross Blue Shield NC offers a number of member services that can make managing your health policy easier and more efficient.  Blue Connect allows you to see exactly how much you are using your policy and how much you are spending on certain health care services.  BCBSNC also provides Health Line Blue, a 24 hour phone line where you can speak with a nurse about where to go for health care, what to do while you wait to see your doctor and how to manage your medications.  The phone number is provided on the back of your BCBSNC ID card.  These are just a few of the benefits of being a BCBSNC member.
4. Take Advantage of Preventive Care – Every Blue Cross Blue Shield NC health plan has preventive care services covered at 100% and the list of preventive services is more extensive than you might think.  Mammograms, Colonoscopy screenings, certain vaccinations and your annual check-up are all services for which you will likely pay nothing out-of-pocket.  Familiarize yourself with the list of services covered and take advantage of them!  These are the very services that can help prevent more serious and more costly conditions down the road.
5. Understand your Health Plan – Every BCBSNC health plan pays for services differently.  It is important that you understand how your plan works and what you will pay for copayments, deductibles, and out-of-pocket limits.  It’s also important for you to know your network of providers and plan in advance so that you can try to stay in-network when it comes time for health care.  Although BCBSNC offers out-of-network coverage, you will pay more for out-of-network providers.  A little bit of advanced planning can ultimately save you a lot of money.  To discuss how plans and benefits work, contact one of our licensed agents today!

For more information, 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.

Open Enrollment officially ends January 31st, 2015 and after that date, you may not be able to enroll until the next AEP (Annual Enrollment Period), which will likely begin November, 2016.  If you have not yet enrolled in a health insurance policy for 2016, you still have time to do so, but don’t wait!  As the end of January approaches, it will become increasingly difficult to get through to the Federal Marketplace or submit applications online.  Due to high volume around effective date deadlines, very often these websites experience technical issues and you would be wise to complete your application a few days prior.

This is especially true if you are applying for a federal subsidy.  Due to the number of people trying to contact the Marketplace, you may have to wait on hold for hours at a time just to speak to a representative.  If you wait to submit your application, you could wind up in a situation where you miss your effective date altogether.

The good news for consumers is that the application for your federal subsidy can now be completed easily and efficiently!  It can be done online in less than ten minutes or you can call 888-765-5400 and one of our licensed and professional agents can assist you in submitting your application right over the phone.  Again, this process usually takes only a few minutes and the earlier you submit your application, the sooner you will have insurance cards in hand, giving you the peace of mind that comes from knowing you and your family are covered for 2016.

Keep in mind that although Open Enrollment does not officially end until January 31st, in order for your coverage to begin February 1st, you must submit your application by January 15th.  If you submit after that date, you will not have coverage until March 1st.

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.

Keep in mind that under the law of the Affordable Care Act, you will not incur a tax penalty for 2016 so long as you are not uninsured for three or more months of the year.  This means you still have time to make sure you are covered and avoid paying unnecessary penalties at tax time.  Also, don’t forget the tax penalty for 2016 has increased substantially; however, if you submit an application by January 15th, your coverage can begin as early as February 1st.

Let’s face it, deadlines are easy to miss and especially when they fall right in the middle of the holiday rush.  Fortunately, Open Enrollment is not over and you still have time to obtain the coverage you need for you and your family.  Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Carolina is committed to keeping the residents of North Carolina insured and offers a variety of plans that will fit your family’s needs and budget.

Don’t let another year go by without the peace of mind that comes from having the health insurance you need!  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.

You will not have to wait on hold to speak with a customer service representative and you will typically have your eligibility notice within 24 hours.  In addition, you can complete this application right over the phone with one of our licensed agents in ten minutes or less!  After submitting your application, our agents will follow up to make sure your application is approved, provide payment information, and answer any questions you have regarding your health insurance plan.

This Open Enrollment, don’t waste your time!  Let one of our professional and qualified agents help you apply for a tax credit, choose a health plan and submit your application. You can also make changes to your current Marketplace plan for 2016 coverage just as easily.  At NC Health Plans, we are committed to making Open Enrollment as simple and stress-free as possible!

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.

If you want your coverage to begin February 1st, you need to submit your application by midnight, January 15th.

If you want your coverage to begin March 1st, you need to submit your application by midnight January 31st.

The only thing that can change these effective dates is if you have a Qualifying Life Event (QLE) that makes you eligible for a Special Enrollment Period.  Qualifying Life Events include things like loss of minimum essential coverage through an employer or through Medicaid, a marriage, a move and more.  Check out the list of Qualifying Life Events, but keep in mind that your QLE must have occurred within the last 60 days in order for you to be eligible.

In addition, keep in mind these important facts:

If you do not enroll in a health plan during Open Enrollment (Nov. 1st, 2015- Jan. 31st, 2016) you will not be able to enroll in health insurance until the next Open Enrollment unless you have a Qualifying Life Event that makes you eligible for a Special Enrollment Period.  This is not a Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Carolina rule, but a federal law under the Affordable Care Act with which BCBSNC must comply.

If you are uninsured for three consecutive months during 2016, you may be subject to a federal income tax penalty when you file your income taxes for 2016.  Click here for information on 2016 tax penalties.

You can still apply for health insurance both on and off the federal Marketplace in as little as ten minutes.  You can apply for both health insurance and a federal subsidy through a simple, straight-forward online application or over the phone with one of our licensed agents.

Don’t let another year go by without securing the health coverage you need for you and your family. 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.