888-765-5400Health Care Reform: Making Progress Work
Health care reform became a reality when President Obama signed into law the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA) on March 23rd, 2010. A reconciliation bill, which made changes to PPACA, was signed into law one week later.
Health care reform will extend access to millions of people who need health insurance. It’s a historic step in the right direction. But there’s still a lot of work to do to give Americans a health care system that they can both depend on and afford.
In keeping with the needs of North Carolinians, Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina is preparing for the many changes the new law requires. However, because it’s more than 2,000 pages long, there’s a process to “translate” legislative language to best serve our customers. Federal regulations will also be required to implement many aspects of the law. When those regulations will be finalized is uncertain.
A few reform provisions are effective immediately. A number of them are effective six months from enactment of the law (September 2010). Many won’t be implemented for several years. While we don’t have all the answers, we’re working hard and fast to understand what these changes mean – for us and our customers.
We hope Congress will build on this legislation by working to improve health care quality and more importantly, by committing to address the skyrocketing health care costs that drive the cost of insurance higher each year.
Our customers can be assured that we’re committed to moving forward and helping make the legislation work for all North Carolinians.
Posted by BlueCross Blue Shield of North Carolina
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 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.