If you are transitioning into Medicare either because you are turning 65 or have become newly eligible due to a
disability, you will likely want to consider enrolling in a Medicare Supplement.  Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Carolina can help. Because traditional Medicare, Parts A & B, do not cover some medical expenses, it’s important to understand what other options are available to you to help supplement your Medicare and offset your out of pocket health care costs.

Even before you are eligible for Medicare, you can begin reviewing your options.  Explore Medicare Supplements and begin deciding what plans work best for you.  Consult with a licensed Medicare Agent to discuss available plans and begin thinking about what kind of plan best fits your budget and your lifestyle.  Keep in mind that Medicare Supplements through Blue Cross Blue Shield are accepted by all Medicare providers.  Remember that the best time to enroll in a Medicare Supplement is during your initial enrollment period.

Medicare Supplements are designed to fill the gaps that exist in a traditional Medicare plan and can give you the peace of mind of knowing you will have the coverage you need when you need it most.  Supplements can help pay your Medicare deductibles, coinsurance and copayments and can significantly reduce your out of pocket expenses.

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.

Enrolling in Medicare means you have new choices in terms of health coverage, but not every Medicare plan is the same.  At NC Health Plans we know how important it is for you to fully understand what transitioning into Medicare may mean for you in terms of your health care. In fact, we are committed to helping you understand your Medicare options and determine which Medicare plan offers you the coverage and benefits you need.

Don’t wait!  About six months prior to your 65th birthday you should begin your Medicare research.  Make it a priority to understand what your Original Medicare (Parts A and B) covers and what it doesn’t cover.  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.

Talk with a licensed agent.  Medicare is complicated and it is of utmost importance that you understand enrollment periods and how those periods will affect your ability to obtain supplemental coverage.  Missing important enrollment periods can make your enrollment process much more complicated.  As licensed agents, we will help you through the transition and make sure you are notified of important dates and deadlines that affect your Medicare coverage.

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.

Transitioning into Medicare can be a big adjustment, especially for those individuals now living on a fixed income, but Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Carolina can help make that transition simpler.  Did you know, for instance, that Medicare will provide extra help for prescription drug costs for certain individuals who meet specified income and resource limits.  Similar to a federal subsidy under the Affordable Care Act for individual under-65 health plans, Medicare offers assistance to those who meet certain criteria.  If you do qualify, you could receive extra help paying for your Medicare drug plan.

Some people may automatically qualify for this program.  For instance, if you have Medicare and become eligible for Medicaid or if you receive Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits without Medicaid, you will likely qualify.  Medicare usually notifies those who automatically qualify and do not need to apply.  Keep in mind, you must be enrolled in a Medicare drug plan in order to receive the extra help benefit. (more…)

Ready or not, if you are turning 65, life is changing.  Perhaps you are ready to retire and catch up on some traveling.  Perhaps you intend to keep working a bit longer, but are planning to put in a few less hours.  No matter what your 65th birthday brings, you can be sure of one thing.  Your health insurance options are going to change significantly.  Being prepared for Medicare is one of the smartest things you can do as you approach this major milestone and Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Carolina can help.

Here are some things you can do to prepare: (more…)

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. (more…)

Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Carolina

Medicare Supplement

1. What is Medicare?

A: Medicare is a Federal health insurance program for people ages 65 years or older, certain people with disabilities, and people with permanent kidney failure treated with dialysis or a transplant. Medicare has two parts – Part A, which is hospital insurance and Part B, which is medical insurance.

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