“In every [life] phase, you’ll be confronted with something that scares you. And you have to go into it being as fearless as you can.”

-Rebecca Minkoff

If you are Medicare eligible and moving or have recently moved to North Carolina, welcome! North Carolina is a beautiful state with a diverse landscape, a rich history and much to offer individuals of every age.  North Carolina is well-known as a great state for retirees and boasts one of the largest populations of military verterans in the country.  We think you will love NC, but let’s face it, moving is a big deal.  As a military spouse of 20 years, I’ve made my fair share of moves and it’s always an ordeal.  In addition to learning a new place and new people, there are a lot of logistics that require time and attention.  Health insurance is one of those logistical issues that can be overwhelming when you move, but we at NC Health plans are here to help.

As a Medicare recipient you have some important things to consider when moving.  If you are newly retiring and new to Medicare, you should begin researching your NC Medicare options.  You will want to get enrolled in Original Medicare (Part A and Part B) through the Social Security office.  Next, you will need to determine what kind of supplemental policy is best for you.  Keep in mind that Medicare Advantage plans are NC county specific so you will need to determine what is available in the county to which you are moving.

If you are already a Medicare recipient, your move to North Carolina opens an important window for you in which you are able to enroll in new supplemental coverage.  It’s important that you do not wait too long after your move to secure NC Medicare supplemental insurance as there are strict rules regarding application deadlines and your ability to enroll your plan with guaranteed issue.  Understanding these important time frames can save you a big headache down the road and make your transition to North Carolina much easier. (more…)

Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Carolina announced today that they will be offering individual health insurance plans on the federal Marketplace for 2017!  This is good news for North Carolina residents and comes as a sigh of relief for consumers in the wake of Aetna’s announcement earlier this summer that they would no longer be participating in the ACA in NC.  Aetna was the second major health insurance company to pull out of the Market, following United Healthcare’s similar announcement in April.

Blue Cross Blue Shield of NC’s decision to participate in the Marketplace reaffirms the North Carolina-based company’s commitment to providing quality, sustainable health insurance to the residents of North Carolina.

For 2017, BCBSNC will be the only health insurance company offering Affordable Care Act (ACA) plans in all 100 counties of North Carolina, meaning the company will absorb over 250,000 more customers than originally anticipated.  In light of this news, Blue Cross Blue Shield NC announced they will be revising their initial rate filings, with new rates being public sometime in October.

Over the past two years, Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Carolina has weathered Marketplace changes, reporting $405 million in losses on Affordable Care Act plans alone. These losses have played a major role in BCBSNC’s debate over whether to participate this coming year in the ACA and similar losses are what Aetna and United Healthcare cited as their reasons for exiting the market in 2016.  Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Carolina reiterated today that they are “doing everything [they] can to make the ACA work for North Carolina.”  Without Blue Cross Blue Shield NC’s participation in the Marketplace, 600,000 residents of NC would be at risk of losing their coverage, which is not something the company was willing to risk.  “This is our home too,” says Brad Wilson in an article released by BCBSNC earlier today, “and it’s important that our families, friends and neighbors – our customer – have access to the coverage they 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.

As many North Carolina residents are aware, Blue Cross Blue Shield NC experienced one of the toughest years to date in terms of customer service and problematic technical issues.  Earlier this month, Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Carolina signed a Voluntary Settlement Agreement with the Department of Insurance and were fined $3.6 million dollars as a civil penalty.  In accordance with the settlement, the disbursement of the record-breaking fine will go to benefit the public schools in North Carolina.  According to Assistant Director of Public Information for the North Carolina Department of Insurance Colin Day, this is “the largest fine ever issued to a single company by the department.”

Also in accordance with the settlement, BCBSNC customer premiums will not be impacted by the fine and Blue Cross Blue Shield has asserted that the fine will have “no bearing” on their decision to participate in the ACA for 2017.  Blue Cross Blue Shield of NC plans to announce by late September whether or not they will be offering individual health plans in NC on the Marketplace for the upcoming year.

Following the settlement agreement, Blue Cross Blue Shield NC released the following statement:

“We’ve reviewed the Department of Insurance’s Voluntary Settlement Agreement and have paid the amount for our technological problems. We have been actively addressing these issues, and expect to be stronger as a result of this process. We remain committed to our customers and the communities of North Carolina, and are deeply sorry for the challenges that this created for our customers and providers.“

With United Healthcare and Aetna exiting the Marketplace earlier this year, Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Carolina may be the only company offering individual health plans to the residents of North Carolina in all 100 counties, with Cigna possibly playing a small role in a few select counties as well.  The voluntary settlement reaffirms BCBSNC’s commitment to the residents of North Carolina and their continued effort to remain a viable and trusted player in the NC health insurance market.

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.

It’s back to school and NC Health Plans encourages preventive care for your school-aged children!  Here are some simple steps you can take to help keep your kids healthy this school year.

1.  Make sure your student washes his or her hands regularly.  School nurses encourage parents not only to emphasize the importance of hand washing, but also to teach your children how and when to wash their hands.  Stress the importance of keeping fingers away from eyes, nose and mouth and how to cover any coughs and sneezes using elbows instead of hands.
2.  Provide a nutritious diet.  Nothing beats a little protein every morning to help kids’ brains in gear for the new day
3. Making sure kids get enough sleep.  Most studies agree that children need between 9 and 11 hours of sleep to work and play optimally.
4. Stay up to date on immunizations.  Also, make sure you keep your kids home from school when they do fall sick so that they have an opportunity to rest and recover and other children are not affected.  This will minimize the spread of illnesses.  Most schools require that students stay home for at least 24 hours after a fever subsides, but some children may require more time to ensure a full recovery.
5. Provide your child with a pack of disinfectant wipes and hand-sanitizer to keep in their desk.  This is always a good idea and sure to be appreciated by their teacher.
6. Before they start school, make sure your child has a preventive care checkup.  If your child is not currently insured, consider obtaining a health insurance policy that allows you to keep them up to date on wellness visits and vaccinations.  Open Enrollment begins November 1st and you can enroll your child in a policy at this time.

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 Open Enrollment 2017 approaches, you may still have questions about health insurance under the Affordable Care Act (otherwise known as Obamacare) and what you need to do to make sure you and your family have the coverage you need at the most cost-effective price available.  Having a licensed agent as your point of contact is one of the best ways to get the answers you need.  Below are some of the questions we are most frequently asked here at NC Health Plans along with our answers:

1. Do I have to have health insurance?  Yes you do.  Under the Affordable Care Act, you are required by law to carry health insurance or be subject to a tax penalty.
2. How much is the penalty for not having insurance?  In 2016, the tax penalty is $695 per person or 2.5% of your income, whichever is higher.  The penalty will likely increase in 2017.
3. Can I be exempt from the penalty?  Yes.  Under certain circumstances, you may obtain a tax exemption.  Visit the government website for a complete list of tax exemption reasons.
4. Do I qualify for a federal subsidy?  You may.  Federal subsidies are based on your Modified Adjusted Gross Income (predicted for 2017) and the number of people on your tax return.  For help determining whether or not you qualify, visit www.nchealthplans.com or call 888-765-5400 to speak with a licensed agent.
5. What if my income changes over the course of the year?  You are required to update any income changes with the federal Marketplace.  A failure to do could result in you having to pay back a portion of your premium tax credit.
6. Do I have to enroll through the federal Marketplace (Exchange)?  No; however, you do have to have an ACA compliant plan to avoid a tax penalty. You do not have to get your plan through the federal Marketplace and Blue Cross Blue Shield offers plans both on and off the Marketplace so if you do not qualify for a federal subsidy, you may want to apply directly.

Obtaining health insurance doesn’t have to be a headache.  At NC Health Plans we utilize the most up-to-date online and telephone application process available to help make the enrollment process easy and are available to answer any questions you may have about your health insurance needs.  2017 quotes for BCBSNC health insurance will be available November 1st, when Open Enrollment begins.  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.

According to the American Cancer Society, more than one million people in the United States get cancer each year. That’s more than 1 in every 3 women and almost 1 out of every 2 men!  In addition, the American Heart Association reports that about 800,000 people in the U. S. will have a stroke during their lifetime and heart attacks, especially in women, are on the rise.  Have you ever considered how a critical illness might affect your family and your finances? The inability to work can have serious repercussions on your family’s income, in addition to the many costs you can incur during illness and recovery.

Critical Illness Insurance can help your family weather such times by paying you cash for qualifying illnesses such as life-threatening cancer, heart attack or stroke.  The money is paid directly to you and can be used with any other health insurance policy you may have, or to cover you financially if you don’t have health insurance.  You can use the cash payment to help you with things like insurance deductibles, coinsurance, copayments, durable medical equipment or simply to supplement your income and help pay bills while you or your loved one is out of work.  If your family relies on your income and the loss of that income would be catastrophic, a Critical Illness insurance policy may be the answer. (more…)

Affordability and simplicity are two of the most obvious benefits to a Term Life Insurance Policy, which is why we at NC Health Plans are pleased to offer Term Life Safeguard to our clients.  If your income is essential to your family’s financial security, then a Term Life policy can not only help alleviate financial stress, it can provide peace of mind to your loved ones should something unforeseen happen.  Term Life Safeguard can be purchased as a life insurance policy alone, or the policy allows for a Critical Illness rider to be added.  Term Life with Critical Illness provides relief to your family either upon your death or if your death is preceded by a critical illness that leaves your family with expensive medical bills.

Term Life Safeguard is a budget-friendly life insurance policy in which you can designate the number of years (10 or 20) as well as the benefit amount ($30K to $200K) to help ease the financial stress your family would face in the event of your death.  A cash benefit is paid directly to your beneficiaries for the amount you designate.  At the end of your policy term, you may choose to continue coverage on a yearly basis until age 75.  The Critical Illness benefit is available if you are diagnosed with a qualifying critical illness, such as heart attack or life-threatening cancer (details provided in the Summary of Benefits). (more…)

Open Enrollment 2017 begins November 1st and runs through January 31st, so if you are currently uninsured or need to make a plan change, you will be able to apply and obtain coverage in just a few months.  Open Enrollment will not begin until November 2016, but you can begin preparing even now. Although you cannot generate a quote with 2017 rates for a few more months, there are a number of questions you can ask yourself, as well as some important pieces of information you can gather so that you are ready to successfully navigate Open Enrollment 2017.

As you prepare, there are a few important things to consider:

• Are you looking for a policy for yourself or are you including family members on your policy?
• Do you think you will qualify for a government subsidy? (Subsidies determined by Modified Adjusted Gross Income and the number of people in your household).  Also, your subsidy will be based on projected 2017 income.
• What kind of BCBSNC health plan are you looking for?  Do you prefer a high deductible plan or something with co-payments?
• How important is the size of your network when it comes to health care providers in your area?

Also, remember that in order to secure an effective date of January 1st, you must complete your application by December 15th. (more…)

Open Enrollment 2017 will not begin until November, but you still have options available to help fill gaps in coverage and add value to your existing coverage.  At NC Health Plans, we offer Critical Illness, Accident and Hospital Indemnity plans that can significantly reduce the out of pocket expense you could potentially incur because of high deductibles and coinsurance.  Because of the nature of the ACA and the rising cost in health insurance, many people chose health plans with high deductibles in order to reduce monthly premiums.  Although providing some relief on a monthly basis, these plans can create enormous financial stress should something unexpected happen.

Having an Accident, Critical Illness or Hospital Indemnity plan that pays directly to you a flat sum of money should you face one of these unexpected events can save you from potentially catastrophic health costs. In addition, none of these plans are connected to any specific network of providers so they will complement any traditional health insurance plan and you can receive care from any doctor or hospital you choose.

The application process is simple and each of these plans offer great benefits at a low price to help reduce your financial risk should you be faced with an unexpected illness, accident or hospitalization.  Traditional health insurance is a must, both in terms of the law and in order to ensure you are properly covered for illnesses, preventive care and other medical procedures, but traditional health insurance is not always enough.  At NC Health Plans, we offer a wide variety of insurance products to help fill the gaps left by traditional insurance and add value to your current health plan. (more…)

Summer is one of the best times of the year!  The sun is shining, the beaches are packed and kids are out of school and off to camp. In fact, health insurance may be the last thing on your mind.  Unfortunately, being uninsured can often limit summer fun and keep your kids from being able to participate in many of the activities otherwise available to them.  For instance, most camps and sports clinics require a proof of insurance in order for your child to participate.  Often parents are unaware of this fact until the last minute and can find themselves scrambling to try and find sufficient coverage.  Because Open Enrollment will not begin until November 1st, unless you have a qualifying life event, temporary health plans are the best option to ensure your family has the coverage they need this summer. (more…)

Happy 4th of July from NC Health Plans!

This 4th of July, amidst all the celebration, it’s important to keep in mind that fireworks can be dangerous.  Although fun, fireworks can cause burns and eye injuries in both children and adults, as well as more serious injuries.  In fact, according to the experts, the best way to protect your family is not to use any fireworks at home, but rather take your family to a public fireworks display and leave the show to the professionals.  In many areas fireworks at home are prohibited and if you intend to use fireworks at home this year, make sure you check with your local police department regarding what is legal.  Also, practice safety!  Review the following list of tips from the National Council of Fireworks Safety:

• Buy only legal fireworks.  In other words, look for fireworks that come with a label that includes the manufacturer’s name and instructions.  Store all fireworks in a cool, dry place.
• Never attempt to make your own fireworks.
• Always keep fireworks outside and keep a bucket of water or a garden hose handy.
• Never throw or point fireworks at another person.
• Light one firework at a time and wear eye protection.  Never attempt to relight a “dud.”  If it doesn’t work the first time, let it go.
• Have a designated shooter prepare a shooting area and carefully read the instructions on each firework.
• Refrain from alcohol use while handling fireworks of any kind.
• Soak all fireworks and pieces of fireworks before throwing them in the trash can.  If they are still ignited, they could explode at any time.
• Think about your pets!  Animals often become extremely agitated on the 4th of July because of all the noise.  Make sure to keep your pets secured indoors to reduce the risk of them running loose or getting injured.
• Finally, if someone does incur an injury, visit your doctor or hospital immediately.  Do not attempt to treat or flush out any eye injuries as this can cause even more damage.  Seek professional medical attention for any burns to either the eyes or skin.

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Summer is here and 2016 is almost half over, but if you still lack health insurance, a short term plan could be the solution.  Temporary health plans are a viable option for people who are experiencing gaps in coverage due to a job change, a move or other life circumstances.  They are also great for individuals who may be exempt from the individual mandate (tax penalty) to buy health insurance or those who may just choose to buy health insurance outside of Open Enrollment.

There are many benefits to a short term health plan.  For instance, most temporary insurance plans are less expensive than regular health insurance plans.  In fact, they are a low-cost solution that could protect your financial security should you be faced with an unexpected illness or injury.  You can also be approved for short term plans as soon as the very next day and coverage can be in place anywhere from 1 month to 11 months, whatever your circumstances require.  Temporary health insurance is a great way to fill gaps during times of transition or change. (more…)