As Medicare agents, we understand that transitioning to Medicare can be overwhelming. Here are a few quick tips to help simplify this process:

Tip #1– Don’t Wait

Did you know you can apply for Medicare 3 months before your birth month? This is called your Initial Enrollment Period. As you approach Medicare eligibility, we recommend applying when your Enrollment Period starts so you are not left having to make last minute decisions. This also helps avoid any gaps in coverage and helps facilitate a seamless transition off of your current plan. Those that are already receiving Social Security benefits will be automatically enrolled in Medicare and will receive your Medicare card in the mail several months before turning 65.

Tip #2- Know your Options

When you are Medicare eligible, you can choose between several types of Medicare plans. The two most popular options in North Carolina are Medicare Supplement and Medicare Advantage plans.

Medicare Supplement plans are designed to fill in the holes or gaps in coverage that exist within original Medicare (parts A and B). Out-of-pocket costs with Part A and Part B can pile up, especially if you have a chronic health condition or a medical emergency. Medicare Supplement plans help cover those out-of-pocket Medicare costs and minimize what you pay on medical expenses. These plans do not include drug coverage, so you will need a separate Drug plan (part D) to go along with your supplement.

Medicare Advantage plans (also known as Part C) are an “all in one” alternative to Original Medicare. These plans are offered by insurance companies like Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Carolina. If you join a Medicare Advantage Plan, you still have Medicare.  These “bundled” plans include benefits for Medicare Part A (Hospital Insurance) and Medicare Part B (Medical Insurance), and usually include Medicare drug coverage (Part D).

Tip #3- Aim for a Smooth Transition

Once you secure your Medicare plan, it is important to avoid any gaps in your health coverage. Do not cancel any existing coverage until your new plan has begun. If you are enrolled through the Health Insurance Marketplace it is important to remove yourself from that plan once your new Medicare coverage starts. You will not be eligible for any Federal Subsidies through the Marketplace if you are eligible for Medicare.

Tip #4- Seek Help

We know that making decisions on Health Insurance and understanding the Medicare market can be extremely confusing. Seeking help from a licensed agent can be your biggest asset during this transitional period. At NC Health Plans, our Medicare specialists are able to break down your options and simplify these confusing topics. We are just a phone call away! Please call 888-765-5400 to speak with one of our Medicare Specialists today.

With the 2020 presidential election approaching, healthcare and health insurance are yet again popular topics of conversation.  The different opinions and visions of the health insurance landscape is often very distant from the realities we experience everyday in North Carolina.  The media attention that surrounds this dialog makes it more difficult to follow current changes to health insurance in North Carolina.  A couple recent changes have impacted the options for many North Carolinians.  Here, we will outline two recent changes and the details consumers should keep in mind now and moving forward.

3 Year Term- Short Term Plans

One such change is the implementation of 3 year policy periods on “Short Term Health Insurance Plans.”  An executive order was signed in 2018 making 3 year policy period Short Term Medical plans available, but the plans were not offered to North Carolina health insurance shoppers until recently.  The North Carolina Department of Insurance approved the these plans in the Spring of 2019.  The availability of Tri-Term Medical plans is significant in that longer policy period plans allow members to avoid the application process every 90 days.  The plans allow you to apply once for a coverage term of 3 years.  Prior to this option, enrolled members were forced to re-qualify by answering health underwriting questions each time the policy expired.  This meant the applicant would risk being denied the ability to re-enroll if unable to pass medical underwriting based on changes in medical conditions.  A 3 year policy period plan will minimize this risk since the applicant is not required to answer health eligibility questions as frequently.

The Short Term Health Insurance market has grown in North Carolina, particularly for consumers that do not qualify for a government subsidy.  The plans often provide non-subsidy shoppers a less expensive alternative to the ACA compliant plans.  The 3 year term plans will continue to strengthen the alternative options for this group of health insurance consumers.

Qualifying Life Event Tweaks

Ever since the introduction of the Affordable Care Act in 2014, consumers have needed a Qualifying Life Event to make changes to plans or apply for new plans when outside the Open Enrollment Period.  The specifics of these Qualifying Events have seemed to continuously change each year.  This year, most Qualifying Life Events now require the consumer to have also carried prior creditable coverage.  For example, a change in permanent residence address and a marriage are two qualifying events that now require the applicant to have carried prior coverage for at least one of the prior sixty days.

Additionally, existing members that are trying to make plan changes based on Qualifying Events must meet additional requirements in order to make changes to an existing plan.  These changes often come as a surprise to consumers that have experienced similar changes in the past and expected similar options to be available.

The healthcare discussion will only continue in the months ahead, but it’s important we don’t lose focus of the changes that are being implemented.  As insurance advisors, our commitment is to educating consumers and allowing them to make the best decisions within this ever changing market.  One way to do this is by understanding whether any of these market changes would affect you.

For more information on 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.

Navigating the insurance market as a first-time buyer can be overwhelming. Customers often call us lost and confused after they have attempted to understand the process of applying for health insurance, especially if it is their first attempt doing so. At NC Health Plans/Jerry Ballard & Associates Inc., we know that this process can seem daunting and stressful, but we are here to help! Our professional agents are not only helpful guides to choosing your best plan, but are also here to assist you with the entire application process. Lastly, they can provide you with important information regarding the details of your coverage. Here are five reasons why you should talk with an agent when applying for NC health insurance:

Find Out When You Can Apply:  An agent will be able to determine the time frame in which you are able to apply for insurance. These times frames include Open Enrollment Period and Special Enrollment Period. During the Special Enrollment Period, you must have had a Qualifying Life Event occur within the last 60 days to enroll in an ACA-compliant plan. Talking with our agents can verify that you meet the requirements to enroll during special enrollment.

Determine Your Eligibility for Savings: Federal tax credits, also known as subsidies, are an amenity of the Affordable Care Act that are designed to lower the cost of health coverage. Talking with an agent can help determine if you are subsidy-eligible and meet the requirements set by the federal government. GENERATE YOUR QUOTE to determine if you are eligible for a subsidy, that could significantly reduce your monthly premium!

Get Help when Applying Online: Applying for coverage through the Health Insurance Marketplace can be tricky. Having an agent help you submit your application can avoid confusion during this process and ensure that your application is complete and submitted correctly. Our agents can help you submit your application right over the phone, it could take as little as 15-20 minutes!

Gain Knowledge About Your Coverage: Not only can agents provide insight about your plan’s benefits, they can also help you understand the details of your coverage. With so many options, such as Gold, Silver, and Bronze plans it can be confusing to determine which BCBSNC plan is best for you. It is also very important to know if your healthcare provider is “in-network.” Since it can be more costly to seek “out-of-network” coverage, knowing which doctors and hospitals accept your plan is one of the best ways you can manage your healthcare costs.

Ensure You Get Coverage When Needed: While applying for health insurance, customers may find that they have a lapse in coverage before they are able to enroll in a Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Carolina plan. It is important to avoid any gaps when you may go without coverage! Speaking with an agent can ensure that you are enrolled in the correct effective date so you won’t go without the protection and quality coverage that you need to maintain your health. We can’t wait to hear from you!

For more information on 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.

In early 2017, the North Carolina health insurance landscape is again expecting change.  The past several years have created an individual health insurance market unlike anything North Carolinian’s have seen before.  The full implementation of the Affordable Care Act “Obamacare” in 2014 led insurance companies to make changes to the way they offered, sold, and priced insurance plans.  Individuals and families were forced to adapt to the changes in the plans offered and how they enrolled in these new plans.  Additionally, the Federal Government was in a central, governing position which impacted both the companies and the customers that purchased these plans.  Over the course of a few years, North Carolinian’s weathered the storm.  These changes have impacted our rates for the plans, doctor and hospital networks, the available insurance companies in our state and many other components of the North Carolina insurance market. (more…)

Sometimes major life changes can suddenly leave you without proper health insurance.

Are you a recent graduate?

Are you no longer covered by your parents’ plan?

Are you between jobs?

Are you working a temporary or part-time job?

New employee waiting to qualify for your company plan?

Temporary health insurance is a fast, affordable and easy solution for people who are currently without health coverage.  CLICK HERE to get an online quote and submit your online application in just a few minutes. You can be covered as early as 12:01 am the following day or select a specific date in the future for your temporary health insurance plan to begin.

Start your North Carolina Health Insurance as early as tomorrow if you apply by midnight tonight.   One of our qualified agents at NC Health Plans will be happy to assist you in selecting the best health insurance plan for you and your family.

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). You may qualify for a 15% healthy lifestyle discount if you are in excellent health. Call us for details.

Internet Based Company VS. Store Front

Which One is Right for You?

Our agency is an internet based company that provides health insurance to North Carolina residents through Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Carolina. We take tremendous pride in providing the best customer service in the industry. Most of our clients tell us we made what they thought would be a difficult process very easy to understand and accomplish. What do you do when you have a question about your application or coverage? The first thing you do is pick up your phone and call your agent or broker. Having the ability to handle your coverage from home and not drive across town to an office is very appealing for most people. With our hectic lifestyles and high gas prices, dealing with an internet based company for your North Carolina Health Insurance is definitely the best way to go for many people.

In 2000 our agency decided to shift our business model to an Online Internet Based Company. We have worked throughout these years training and experimenting with every aspect of an Online Company. As you may realize, the standard business model of a 9-5 platform quickly diminished as the need for a more fluctuating schedule became apparent. Our agency prides itself on helping individuals with their insurance needs, once they get off work or have time to focus on these issues on weekends.

The first step is for you to call our office and speak with one of our authorized agents to begin the process. It is our goal to explain all the plans offered through Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Carolina and answer ANY questions you may have. Once you decide on a plan, we simply email you the quote with the on line application for you to complete. Once the application is submitted, we keep you informed throughout the process until approval by BCBSNC. Its as easy as 1- 2 – 3!!!

If you would like to apply for North Carolina health insurance through Blue Cross Blue Shield of NC, simply click here and complete the form and we will be happy to email your quote and the on-line application.

For more information on North Carolina health insurance, please visit our website at www.nchealthplans.com or call our toll free number 888-765-5400 and speak with one of our professional authorized agents.  Our agency provides coverage for health insurance in North Carolina through Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Carolina (BCBSNC).  You may qualify for a 15% healthy lifestyle discount if you are in excellent health, call all our office for details.