If you were born in ‘92, we want to wish you a happy 26^th birthday! Another trip around the sun is always something to celebrate and be thankful for, and we hope that this upcoming year is your best one yet! Adults in their mid-twenties find themselves in many different walks of life. Whether you have gotten married, had children, graduated, or simply having fun, there is something all 26 year-olds have in common. That is, that you’re aging out of your parents’ insurance plan!

Health Insurance shoppers at this age often call us with concern, saying, “I have never shopped for insurance before and don’t know what to do or where to start!” We realize that navigating this transition and the insurance market can be stressful and overwhelming.  However, it is not something to put on the back burner or avoid! Here are some helpful things you should know about applying for insurance:

• You have 60 days!

Turning 26 and aging out of your parent’s health insurance plan is considered a Qualifying Life Event.  This qualifying event will provide you a 60 day window outside the Open Enrollment Period to enroll in a new plan.  Make sure you know when this starts and stops in order to avoid any lapse in coverage.

• You can save money!

Based on your household income, you may be eligible for a federal subsidy which can greatly reduce the cost of your monthly premiums. Generate a Blue Cross Blue Shield of NC health insurance quote to find out more about whether you are eligible for a subsidy.

• Don’t go uninsured!

Did you know that under the health care law, you must have qualifying health coverage? Without it, you may face a penalty on your next tax return. In addition, it is important to have protection and quality coverage to maintain your health, or in case of sickness or an accident!

• Don’t stress! It’s easier than you think!

This process can seem overwhelming. However, it is easier than you think. We are here to help you through the entire application process right over the phone, and it only takes about 25 minutes to apply for health insurance!

As you are thinking about your 26^th birthday celebration, remember your health insurance – and don’t let those 60 days slip away! Here’s to many more years of health and happiness!

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.

NC Health Plans wishes you a Happy Independence Day.  July 4th has always been one of my favorite holidays. Because freedom is something to savor. To enjoy. To celebrate. But most of all to appreciate.

Never should we take the precious freedoms we daily enjoy for granted. Freedom was not cheap. Freedom was a dream purchased with the blood of our forbearers.

One of the most enjoyable and exciting ways to celebrate our nation’s independence is to set off some fireworks. This 4th of July, it’s important to remember that fireworks can be dangerous. They can cause burns and eye injuries in both children and adults, as well as more serious injuries. Of course, the best way to protect your family is not to use any fireworks at home and take your family to your local public fireworks display and leave the show to the professionals.

So today, as we celebrate with parades, BBQ and fireworks. Let’s remember and be thankful. God Bless America, and may we continue to be the shining example of freedom.

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.

As controversy and debate continue in Washington over the future of the healthcare system, Blue Cross Blue Shield of NC is planning for 2018.  In late May, Blue Cross filed 2018 plans and rates with the North Carolina Department of Insurance.  Insurance rates were filed for health insurance plans in all 100 counties of North Carolina for an average rate increase of 22.9%.  The Director of Actuarial and Pricing Services at BCBSNC wrote an article explaining these rate increases.

BCBSNC has also been very clear that while filing for rates and health plans in all 100 North Carolina counties for 2018, many uncertainties continue.  The health insurance industry still expects significant change. However, the makeup and impact of this change is not known.  The timeframe and timeline of this change is also unknown.  These unknowns make preparation for the coming year very difficult for the insurance companies.  There are tremendous amounts of laws, regulations, and factors that are currently being discussed in Washington which directly impact the plans and rates of health insurance in North Carolina.

These unknowns also make preparation very difficult for the thousands of customers that depend on Individual and family health insurance plans in NC.  Blue Cross NC currently has over 500,000 customers enrolled in Individual ACA plans.  These rates, however, will impact this group differently.  The customers receiving a subsidy through the Health Insurance Marketplace will likely be less impacted if these plans and rates are approved.  The customers that do not receive any subsidy will likely be most impacted by these changes.

Despite the potential future changes, our commitment to North Carolinians will not change.  We are committed to providing North Carolinians with updates, advice, and the guidance needed to navigate this unique health insurance market.  We feel people need straight forward advice on the impacts of the health insurance industry changes now more than ever.

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.

We are now in the final weeks of Open Enrollment 2017 and if you still have not enrolled your Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Carolina health plan, now is the time to get covered!  Keep in mind, however, that you must submit an application by January 31st to have coverage beginning March 1st.  If you miss the deadline, you may not be able to enroll in health insurance until the next Open Enrollment.

Under the law of the Affordable Care Act (Obamacare), you are required to maintain qualified health insurance or possibly incur a tax penalty.  This is known as the individual mandate.  For 2017, the tax penalty is $695 per person or 2.5% of your income, whichever is higher.  In addition, if you do not have health insurance, you will be responsible for the costs of all health care you use over the course of the year.

Blue Cross Blue Shield NC offers qualified health plans in all 100 counties in North Carolina and plans are available both on and off the Marketplace.  Based on your income and the number of people in your household, you may qualify for a premium tax credit (federal subsidy) to help reduce the cost of your plan.  In addition, you could qualify for reduced copayments and deductibles.  For people under the age of 30, Catastrophic plans are available and these plans typically have a lower monthly premium.

At NC Health plans, we are committed to helping our customers choose and enroll the BCBSNC health plan that best suits your needs at a price that fits your budget.  We can help you determine subsidy eligibility, discuss plan options and walk you through the enrollment process.  We can help you submit your application online or directly over the phone in a few short minutes.

Don’t let 2017 come and go without securing the health coverage you need. 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.

The 2017 Open Enrollment period for health insurance is still in effect and if you missed enrolling your plan for January 1st, there is still time!  You have 2 days left to submit an application and have your 2017 BCBSNC health insurance plan effective February 1st.  Whether you are enrolling your plan on the Marketplace and applying for a federal subsidy or off the Marketplace with no subsidy, NC Health Plans is here to help.  We offer a secure, simple application process that can be completed online or over the phone in a few short minutes.

Blue Cross Blue Shield NC is a trusted name in NC health insurance and the only insurance company offering 2017 qualified ACA-approved health plans in all 100 counties in North Carolina.  If you were enrolled in a United Healthcare or Aetna plan last year that ended on December 31st, you still have time to choose the Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Carolina plan that best suits your needs and your budget.

Keep in mind that the application deadline is fast-approaching.  In order for your new health plan to be effective February 1st, you must submit your application by midnight January 15th.  If you miss the January 15th application deadline, your plan cannot be effective until March 1st (some exceptions apply).  Don’t miss this important deadline.  Enroll your 2017 health today!

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.

Due to the rising cost of health insurance premiums and stricter guidelines surrounding enrollment periods, many people are turning to non-compliant private health insurance as a long-term solution. These plans are referred to as Short Term or Temporary Health Insurance plans, but many can be issued for a longer policy period. Because these private health plans are not subject to the laws of the ACA, they are less-expensive and can be purchased outside of the annual Open Enrollment period.  For individuals and families who have either missed Open Enrollment or who simply cannot afford an ACA-approved Qualified Health Plan, private health insurance coverage is a viable option. (more…)

The Presidential election is officially over and Donald Trump has won, which may leave many Americans wondering what, if anything, will happen to the Affordable Care Act/Obamacare.  Although Mr. Trump suggested during his presidential campaign that he would push for changes in the ACA, those changes will likely not be immediate and will certainly take time to implement.

Open Enrollment 2017 is now in full swing and it’s important to remember that as of today, nothing has changed in regards to health insurance.  ACA/Obamacare plans are still available through BCBSNC in all 100 counties in North Carolina and now is the time to enroll!

For now and in the near future, the Affordable Care Act is the law of the land and Americans are still required to maintain health coverage or face a federal tax penalty.  Keep in mind that the tax penalty for 2017 is $695 per person or 2.5% of your income, whichever is higher, so there is a high cost to being uninsured.  Despite substantial losses, Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Carolina has chosen this year to continue participation in the ACA within North Carolina and is working diligently to provide ACA-compliant, quality health plans to the residents of NC.

Whether you need to make a change to your existing coverage or enroll in a health plan for the first time, at NC Health Plans we are here to help.  We can assist you in estimating subsidy eligibility and offer an online or over-the-phone application process for individuals enrolling through the health insurance Marketplace.  Don’t let another year pass without enrolling the health coverage you need for you and your family.

At NC Health Plans, we understand that your time is as valuable as your health and we work hard to help our customers enjoy the best possible enrollment experience.  For your free rate quote visit www.nchealthplans.com, call 888-765-5400, or click the button below.

The current presidential campaign is big news, but how might the upcoming election affect the NC health insurance market?  As might be expected, the two presidential candidates, Donald Trump and Hillary Clinton, have very different ideas when it comes to healthcare policies, leaving many North Carolinians as well as other Americans wondering what might happen to their health insurance in the months to come.

Presidential hopeful Hillary Clinton has promised that should she win, she will work to improve the ACA markets by offering additional subsidies to offset the cost of health insurance as well as increase enrollment through aggressive marketing.  She has also suggested that she intends to pursue a public option on the federal Exchange, but many argue this would be a tough sell to Congress, even if the Democratic party takes control.

Donald Trump, on the other hand, has made it clear that he intends to shrink, though likely not completely abolish, the Affordable Care Act considerably.  Ending the individual mandate, eliminating ACA reforms such as minimal essential benefits and restructuring federal subsidies are a few of the ways he would likely begin.  Most experts agree that abolishing the Affordable Care Act would be a near impossibility now that millions of Americans are insured under ACA plans; however, under a Trump administration Americans would probably see a substantial overhaul of the current law.

With the presidential campaign in full-swing, one thing is for certain.  The Affordable Care Act, or “Obamacare,” is a hot topic and one that many Americans say is at the top of their list in terms of policy concerns for 2017.  At NC Health Plans, our goal is to help the residents of North Carolina navigate the ever-changing health insurance market and we will continue to do so whatever changes may come in 2017.  We make it our business to stay up-to-date on market changes as well as federal laws affecting health insurance, and strive to give our customers the information and tools needed to choose and enroll a health insurance plan with confidence and ease.

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.

Open Enrollment began Tuesday, November 1st and Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Carolina has you covered!  2016 has seen a big upheaval in the NC health insurance market, but BCBSNC has remained steadfast and will be offering health plans in all 100 counties of North Carolina for 2017.  In fact, BCBSNC will be the only insurer offering ACA plans in most of the state.  With the exit of both United Healthcare and Aetna, many North Carolina residents will be facing a change in their health insurance policy and NC Health Plans is committed to helping make that transition as easy as possible.

Former Aetna and United Healthcare members who have a Marketplace plan will be automatically mapped to a new BCBSNC health plan (Blue Advantage, Blue Select, Blue Value or Blue Local).  If you are a mapped customer it is important that you review all your health insurance options with Blue Cross Blue Shield NC and we can help you do that effectively.  We can generate a quote, assist you in determining subsidy eligibility and help you decide if you are better off with a plan other than the one to which you have been mapped.  Keep in mind, the Open Enrollment period is the time to make these important decisions and after Open Enrollment you may not be able to make a plan change until next year.  Make sure to look at all the options available to you before making a decision.

For former Aetna and United Healthcare members who do not have a Marketplace plan, you will not be automatically mapped to a BCBSNC health plan and you will need to shop for a new health plan.  We will assist you in reviewing your options and have the most up-to-date tools available to make your enrollment as stress-free as possible.

If you are currently a Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Carolina member, you should also review your options for 2017.  If you need to make a change to your existing coverage or simply want to compare your current plan with new plans available in 2017, we can assist you with all your NC health insurance needs. 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.

Open Enrollment 2017 has officially begun and Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Carolina has health plans available in all 100 counties!  Whether you are replacing existing coverage or obtaining NC health insurance for the first time, BCBNSC has a plan that will work for you.  In fact, every Blue Cross Blue Shield NC plan has preventive services covered at 100% and if you are insuring your family, children under the age of 19 have access to pediatric dental and vision services.  BCBSNC boasts one of the largest networks of providers available in North Carolina, and as a North Carolina based company, Blue Cross Blue Shield NC has been serving NC residents for over 80 years.

Whether you are looking for a high-deductible HSA plan, a Catastrophic plan, or a plan rich in health care benefits, Blue Cross Blue Shield NC delivers!  At NC Health Plans, we are committed to helping our customers review plan options, discuss benefits, determine subsidy eligibility and submit an application in the easiest, most stress-free way possible.  We offer the most up-to-date enrollment process available and have staff of professional, conscientious, licensed agents ready and willing to help walk you through the process from start to finish.

Don’t let Open Enrollment 2017 overwhelm you!  From the comfort of your own home, we can assist you in completing your subsidy application and enrolling your Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Carolina health plan in a few short 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.

In the wake of Hurricane Matthew, Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Carolina President and CEO Brad Wilson announced in a news release dated October 13, 2016 that “member health and safety are our primary concern and we are taking these steps to help customers focus on their most immediate needs.”  The steps he is referring to are the ones BCBSNC has taken to help ensure their members have the coverage they need during a difficult time of recovery.  The following policies are some of the ways BCSNC is helping members weather the storm and its aftermath:

• Members and employers within the disaster area may be able to delay premium payments for 30 days (call the number on the back of your health card to see if this applies to you)
• Members in the disaster area may be able to get an early prescription drug refill or replace a lost or destroyed prescription (provided member requests this within 29 days of the disaster declaration)
• BCBSNC will provide a 30-day extension for deadlines related to submission of claims, filing appeals, additions of newborns and adopted children, and requests for authorization of medical services

Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Carolina also encouraged members who need additional time on premium payments or medications to call the customer service number listed on the back of their health insurance card.

As a North Carolina based company, Blue Cross Blue Shield of NC has an investment in the communities of North Carolina and in its residents and the company is doing its part to try and help those affected by Hurricane Matthew.  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 NC, in conjunction with Blue Prime, recently announced a new alliance with Walgreens, one of the nation’s largest drugstore chains.  This alliance initiates a 10-year retail pharmacy agreement based on a “simple, low-cost approach” intended to provide savings to clients and BCBSNC members.  This agreement will be in effect as of January 1, 2017 and will include a Prime and Walgreens home delivery for prescription medications.  The agreement is not exclusive, meaning BCBSNC members will still have access to other pharmacies in addition to Walgreens.

The good news for North Carolina residents is that Walgreens has more than 260 store locations throughout the state and over 8000 locations nationwide.  That means more convenient access to the prescription drugs you need at a cost you can afford.  Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Carolina continues to partner with health care providers such as Walgreens to help ensure members have the quality healthcare they deserve.

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.