888-765-5400BCBSNC High Deductible Health Plan (HSA & Blue Saver) Customers to see Zero Percent Base Rate Increase
In a press release today issued by Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Carolina, a rate request was filed with the North Carolina Department of Insurance (DOI) for a rate increase of ZERO PERCENT for Blue Options HSA and Blue Saver. The requested rate increase for Blue Advantage is 6.35 percent. According to the press release Blue Advantage and Blue Options HSA currently serve more than 347,000 customers under the age of 65.
The ZERO PERCENT base rate increase for the Blue Options HSA and Blue Saver products underscores that when customers have a greater financial stake in the decisions they make, they become more savvy health care consumers. The growth they are seeing in these products shows that consumers are comfortable taking a more active role in managing their health care expenses.
Requested base increase for Blue Advantage: 6.35 percent
Consumer Driven Health Plans account for 45 percent of new BCBSNC individual plan sales so far in 2011
Customers to receive notice of their individual rate increase in mid October
Low medical trend on HSA/Saver products drives zero percent increase
If approved by the Department of Insurance, more than 294,000 Blue Advantage/Blue Options HSA members would see rate changes less than 10 percent, including more than 17,000 customers who would see rate decreases.
Blue Advantage PPO is a traditional co-pay-based health plan for individuals. Blue Options HSA and Blue Saver are high-deductible plans that offer customers lower monthly premiums and more streamlined benefits. Blue Options HSA is paired with a Health Savings Account, which customers use to pay their out of pocket expenses. Blue Options HSA and Blue Saver products cover preventive care at 100 percent with no cost sharing. Sick visits, specialist visits and visits to urgent care centers or emergency rooms are all subject to customers’ coinsurance and deductible.
Any premium changes to Blue Advantage and Blue Options HSA/Blue Saver products must be approved by the DOI. Following DOI approval, Blue Advantage and Blue Options HSA/Blue Saver customers will receive a letter from BCBSNC in October telling them what their specific rate changes will be for 2012. Customers may choose to make changes to their health plan, deductible, co-pay or co-insurance to reduce their premium.
Blue Options HSA is BCBSNC’s fastest growing health plan, with year over year membership growth of 23 percent.
Information from Press Release by bcbsnc.com where you can read the rest of the article.
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.
