888-765-5400Blue Cross Blue Shield NC Signs Voluntary Settlement with NCDOI
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.