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BLUE CROSS BLUE SHIELD PLANS

Tuesday, March 11th, 2014

bigstock-An-image-of-a-choosing-a-healt-29353766Blue Advantage features a provider network that covers all 100 counties in the state at an affordable price.

91% of doctors and 99% of hospitals in the state are covered

Coverage in North Carolina, the United States and worldwide

More pharmacy and prescription drug options

Flexibility in how much you pay for doctor visits and prescription drugs

Preventive care covered at 100%

Blue Advantage is ideal for those who want choices: choices in which provider to see and choices for how much to pay for doctor visits and prescription drugs.

Benefit Choices

Blue Advantage offers a variety benefit choices to give you options for how much you pay for medical expenses: copayments, and deductible and coinsurance plans.

Copayment plans are what most people think of as traditional plans. They offer a fixed copayment for things like primary care office visits and prescriptions. While you’ll know what you’re going to pay with copayment plans, they come at a higher premium. These plans are ideal for someone who wants predictable costs and doesn’t mind paying more in premiums. (more…)

BLUE CROSS BLUE SHIELD OF NC CATASTROPHIC PLANS

Sunday, February 9th, 2014

bigstockphoto_teens_with_thumbs_up_6006256Catastrophic Plans provide minimum coverage at a lower price.  They are High deductible plans; they provide Essential Health Benefits covered after deductible is met; Preventive care is covered at 100%;  Primary care in-network office visits covered with a $35 copayment for the first 3 visits and you can save as much as 22% over the least expensive bronze plan.   Click Here to generate your rate quote to compare these plans.

These plans have high deductibles that you must meet before BCBSNC pays for Essential Health Benefits. They may be a good option if you do not expect to have many medical expenses.

To qualify for these plans, you must meet one of the following criteria to be eligible for a catastrophic plan.  You must be under 30 years of age when the plan year begins or qualify for a hardship exemption through the federal government.

If you choose a catastrophic plan, you cannot use an advance premium tax credit (federal subsidy). If you do not qualify for or decide to forego a subsidy, you may save money with these plans.

The Essential Health Benefits that are covered include Ambulatory service;Emergency service;Hospitalization; Maternity and newborn care; Mental health and substance abuse services (including behavioral health);Prescription drugs;Rehabilitative and habilitative services and devices; Laboratory services;Preventive/wellness services and chronic disease management;Pediatric services, including dental and vision.

Catastrophic plans are not required to meet the metallic levels that other plans must meet. However, because BCBSNC is committed to quality coverage, the catastrophic plans do meet bronze level requirements.

 

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). It would be our pleasure to help you navigate through the Health Care Reform changes in accordance with the new regulations of Obama care. Call us for details.

How a high-deductible health plan can help you save money

Monday, July 15th, 2013

Another benefit of having a high-deductible health plan is that it makes you eligible for a health savings account (HSA) that enables you to pay for qualified medical expenses tax free.

The funds you contribute to your HSA, up to the annual contribution limit, are not taxed. That means you can save up to $300 on taxes for every $1,000 you contribute. When you use your HSA funds to pay for qualified medical expenses, such as office visits, prescriptions, lab tests, hospital stays, medical procedures and much more, the withdrawals are also not taxed. For a list of qualified medical expenses visit www.irs.gov and reference Publication 502.

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BCBSNC High Deductible Health Plan (HSA & Blue Saver) Customers to see Zero Percent Base Rate Increase

Friday, August 12th, 2011

In a press release today issued by Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Carolina,  a rate request was filed with the North Carolina Department of Insurance (DOI) for a rate increase of ZERO PERCENT for Blue Options HSA and Blue Saver. The requested rate increase for Blue Advantage is 6.35 percent.  According to the press release  Blue Advantage and Blue Options HSA currently serve more than 347,000 customers under the age of 65. 

The ZERO PERCENT base rate increase for the Blue Options HSA and Blue Saver products underscores that when customers have a greater financial stake in the decisions they make, they become more savvy health care consumers. The growth they are seeing in these products shows that consumers are comfortable taking a more active role in managing their health care expenses. (more…)

Making Cents out of a Blue Options HSA

Thursday, July 7th, 2011

Many people choose a copayment plan because they want the predictability of knowing exactly how much they will pay out of pocket for doctor visits and prescriptions. However, many people who purchase these plans don’t realize they are paying hundreds of dollars extra each year for the convenience of copayments. In a traditional copayment health plan, you generally pay for health care like this:

+ You pay a relatively high monthly premium for coverage.

+ When you see an in-network doctor for an office visit, you pay a copayment.

+ When you fill a prescription, you pay a copayment.

+ When you go to the hospital, have a procedure, or have lab tests, you pay a fee that is applied toward your deductible.

+ When you meet your deductible, you begin paying coinsurance, until you meet your coinsurance maximum for the year.

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