Did you know that more women die from strokes every year than men?  It’s true and it’s just one of the reasons Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Carolina is a huge advocate of women’s preventive health care.  In fact, every BCBSNC health plan offers preventive care covered at 100%, including a variety of services especially aimed at keeping women healthy.

When it comes to the risk of stroke, although some factors such as smoking, diabetes or obesity do not discriminate against age or gender, others do and there are some risks that are unique to women.  The following is a list of some of those special risks: (more…)

If you are a football fan like I am, you may have noticed that October is breast cancer awareness month and nothing says solidarity quite like an NFL linebacker wearing pink shoes.  The fact is, in the last few years there’s been a huge push to make the public aware that in the fight against breast cancer, we all need to be involved and Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Carolina takes that fight very seriously.  Offering preventive care services, including mammograms, covered at 100%, BCBSNC is a proud supporter of women’s health.  (more…)

Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Carolina is committed to preventive care maintenance and women’s health.  This may come as a surprise, but recent studies have shown that heart disease, not breast or cervical cancer, is the No. 1 killer of women. And although a heart attack strikes someone about every 34 seconds, many women often miss the signs, thinking they are due to less life-threatening problems like acid reflux, the flu or menopause.  A heart attack occurs when the blood flow that brings oxygen to the heart muscle is severely reduced or cut off.  This happens for multiple reasons, but primarily because the arteries that supply the heart with blood have narrowed from a buildup of fat, cholesterol and plaque. Sometimes women think the signs of a heart attack are unmistakable – severe chest pain and shooting pain in the left arm – but oftentimes the signs are much more subtle.

Some women having a heart attack say they experience upper back pain or pressure that feels as if they are in a vise grip.  Dizziness, lightheadedness or even fainting can also be signs of heart attack.

Listed below are five common heart attack symptoms in women:

Chest pain or pressure:  Chest pain is the most common symptom of heart attack, but women often experience it differently than men.  Many women report they felt more of a squeezing sensation or fullness and the pain was not limited to the left side of the chest.

Shortness of breath, nausea, or lightheadedness:  Trouble breathing means just that – trouble.  If you are having difficulty breathing and there is no good reason for it, you could be having a heart attack.  Shortness of breath, in combination with any of these other symptoms, should not be ignored.

Pain in the arm, back, neck or jaw:  This type of pain is more common in women experiencing heart attack than in men.  Sometimes women confuse this pain because they are expecting the pain to be centralized in the chest, not in the back or jaw.  The pain can come on very suddenly or gradually and it can come and go before it becomes intense.

Stomach pain:  Women often mistake stomach pain associated with heart attack for heartburn, the flu, an ulcer, or even indigestion.  Sometimes the pain in the stomach is more like an intense abdominal pressure, but either way, this is one of those subtle symptoms of which women need to be aware.

Fatigue:  One of the most commonly overlooked symptoms of heart attack is fatigue.  Some women experiencing a heart attack feel exhaustion, even when they have been still or restful.  If you find yourself feeling overly fatigued without having expended any energy, this may be a sign of heart attack.

The main thing to remember is that heart attacks are serious and heart attacks in women are a growing concern among medical professionals.  Some doctors suggest that because women tend to be caretakers and are often tired and worn down, they may fail to take these symptoms seriously and seek the professional help they need.  The good news is that heart disease is preventable.  Make sure you see your healthcare provider regularly and ask to have your risk for heart attack assessed.  Also, if you smoke, it’s time to quit.  Studies suggest that one year after quitting smoking, you can cut your risk of heart disease by a substantial percentage.  Exercise, eat right, and get plenty of rest and most importantly, don’t ignore the signs and symptoms of heart attack.

For more information on Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Carolina health insurance coverage, the Marketplace and healthcare gov  to apply for your subsidy, 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.  Let us help you navigate through the Health Care Reform changes in accordance with the new regulations of The Affordable Care Act, also known as Obama care.

Having a baby is stressful enough without added financial pressure and that is why Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Carolina is proud to offer maternity care at no additional charge.   In the past, many insurance companies could turn a woman down if she applied for coverage while she was pregnant and many health plans considered pregnancy a pre-existing condition. Under the Affordable Care Act, however, all qualified health insurance plans now cover pregnancy and childbirth and this is true even if your pregnancy begins before your coverage takes effect.

What this means is that BCBSNC will not increase your premium based on your sex or health condition, including conditions such as pregnancy.  Blue Cross Blue Shield of NC is committed to Women’s Health and that is why covering the basics of pregnancy and childbirth at no additional cost is a fundamental part of essential coverage.

Once your baby is born, breastfeeding and Primary Care Interventions to promote breastfeeding are also covered at 100%, including certain breast pumps.  In addition, a Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Carolina health plan will cover your baby’s wellness visits and vaccinations at 100% so that you can be sure your post pregnancy health needs are also met.  Because Blue really does love babies, a BCBSNC individual health plan includes pediatric dental and vision coverage, up to age 19 so that you can not only have your baby, but raise your baby with confidence that his or her health needs are covered.

Babies make the world a nicer place to live and a Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Carolina health plan makes having a baby a nicer experience.

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 Obamacare. Call us for details.

More and more studies are showing how important vitamin D is to women’s health and  women aren’t getting enough of this essential vitamin.  Studies show you can increase levels through both your diet and supplements.  To get enough vitamin D from the sun, you need to spend about 5 to 15 minutes in the sun, just three times each week, without sunscreen. Too much sun exposure can cause sunburn and increase the risk of skin cancer, so make sure you limit your exposure. Also, you can expose your arms and legs, but you should always protect your face with sunscreen. If you don’t feel safe in the sun, turn to your diet and a vitamin D supplement to get the vitamin D you need Vitamin D promotes the body’s absorption of calcium, a mineral that helps keep bones and teeth strong. Vitamin D also regulates the body’s calcium levels in the blood, as well as levels of the mineral phosphorus, which helps promote healthy bones and teeth. Vitamin D deficiency can be serious, causing bones to deteriorate and weaken. In adults, a vitamin D deficiency can lead to the bone condition osteoporosis and, in children, it can cause rickets — soft and weak bones.  Look for discounts on your vitamins when you purchase your health insurance coverage through Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Carolina. (more…)

The following information is from a recent publication on Mastectomy Benefits from Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina.

As required by the Womens’ Health and Cancer Rights Act of 1998, your health insurance policy provides beneftis for mastectomy-related services, including all stages of reconstruction and surgery to achieve symmetry between the bresats, prostheses and complication resulting from a mastectomy , including lymphedema.  This coverage is subject to the same deductibles, copayments, coinsurance or limitations as applied to other medical and surgical benefits provided under your policy.  If you have questions, please check your Member Guide or call the Customer Service number on your ID card for more information.

The information above is brought to you from BCBSNC, A Guide to a Healthier You, 2009.

For more information on health insurance coverage in North Carolina and how to utilize My Member Services, please visit our website at www.nchealthplans.com or call our toll free number 888-765-5400 and speak with one of our qualified 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.

Survey Shows Many Women Put Off Doctor Visits Because of Higher Health Care Costs

Dec. 2, 2008 — Almost half of women surveyed in a national poll said they had failed to seek health care for themselves or their families over the previous year because the cost was too high.

The annual survey of women’s attitudes and behaviors regarding health care, released today by the National Women’s Health Resource Center (NWHRC), found that women were most likely to put off doctor visits for themselves and least likely to put off doctor visits for their children. (more…)