Our classic health insurance plan

• Features low copayments for doctor visits and prescription drugs
• A wide range of deductibles for medical and prescription drugs
• You get the most comprehensive coverage we offer
• You pay more in monthly premiums, but you pay less when going to the doctor
• Preventive care is covered at 100%

The information in this article is from bcbsnc.com, product benefits.

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.

As if we needed another reason to get out onto the water, the fact remains that whether you are looking for it or not, kayaking is a form of exercise, not to mention the beautiful settings that surround you.  Kayaking gives us a balanced approach to our cardiovascular system and our upper body strength.

These health benefits are often a side effect of simply doing what you love most.  During kayaking the low impact movements may improve joint health in some people.  The extra calories burned through kayaking may also lead to natural weight loss, which in turn can help aching joints.  Kayaking also is a great way to relax and reduce stress.  It is a great sport to help with physical and emotional healing.

Kayaking is a great way to promote a healthy lifestyle for your family too!  Kids of all ages love can enjoy kayaking.  Safety is the main goal when involving children in this sport.  Life preservers are a non-negotiable.  Children should ride with an adult several times before venturing on their own and must be supervised by an adult at all times.  Keep in mind when children are learning to kayak it is best to start in calm shallow water until they get the hang of the movement.   Half an hour to an hour is just right for all first trips regardless of age. You may also want to make certain that children are familiar with the water, experienced in swimming, physical strength, and coordination level.  So enjoy kayaking !  Get your family on the water and begin a healthy life!

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 to 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.

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. (more…)

Chapel Hill, N.C. – Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina (BCBSNC) announced a partnership Tuesday with the North Carolina Recreation and Park Association (NCRPA) to launch Nourishing North Carolina, a statewide community garden program making local, healthy food more accessible to people across the state. This initiative supports BCBSNC’s longstanding commitment to improve the health and well-being of all North Carolinians.

“The long-term benefit of this effort will extend well beyond the growing season,” said Brad Wilson, BCBSNC president and CEO. “By increasing access to healthy foods, we can all eat better, lower rates of diabetes, heart disease and obesity, and ultimately reduce the impact that unhealthy lifestyles have on our health care system.”

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You may have seen the sport out on the beach.  While many people find paddle boarding fun, many also see the health benefits with this popular sport.   If you are an avid water lover, and ready for a good challenge, then stand up paddle boarding might be the perfect combination for your summer activity.  Also, more activity promotes good health so having fun with your summer activities can improve overall health and fitness. 

According to exercise experts, this sport is a full body workout.  Paddle boarding strengthens your core, improves balance, and best of all burns calories.   When you paddle you rotate using your abs.  You may also develop muscles on the core areas (hips, trunk and buttocks). You can contact most local surf shops to find paddle board lessons which are being taught up and down the East Coast.   Our agency owner worked closely with AB Surf Shop on Atlantic Beach to purchase an awesome board for a Christmas gift and we were very happy with our purchase.

Paddle boarding does take a little practice.  The hands-on experience is challenging.  Although regular practice will guarantee success, most people usually are able to stand within 10 minutes.  Paddle boarding is an active sport for any athletic ability and any size person. 

Paddle boarding is a fast growing water sport.  Remember it is important to stay active and healthy.  Not only do you get health benefits from your healthy lifestyle, but you can save money when purchasing private health insurance and get discounts in your premium due to excellent health. 

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 to 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.

 Beginning July 1, 2011, BCBSNC will cover the sleeve gastrectomy procedure for qualified members who meet the criteria outlined in our medical policy titled “Surgery for Morbid Obesity.” You can search the medical policy on bcbsnc.com. What is a sleeve gastrectomy? A sleeve gastrectomy is an alternative approach to a standard gastrectomy that can be performed on its own or in combination with other procedures. In this procedure, a portion of the stomach is removed, leaving a stomach remnant shaped like a tube or sleeve.

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 A favorite summer pastime for many of us is relaxing by a pool or swimming in the ocean while unwinding from the day or — better yet — even spending the whole day poolside blissfully relaxed. If your dog is included, here are some tips. 

Not all dogs enjoy swimming or can swim particularly well. If it seems like your dog does not want to swim, it is important not to force him/her.  A safety vest such the canine flotation device, is designed to keep your pet afloat in the water. These vests are adjustable and designed to fit around your pet’s chest. Having a ramp installed in the pool or around the dock may also help your pet exit the water without struggling. 

If your furry family member is an avid swimmer who enjoys a refreshing dip, it is important for you and your children to swim at a safe distance to avoid getting scratched or pulled under while swimming.  It is also helpful to teach your dog the “turn” command so he/she can swim around you to avoid those unwanted scratches.  When your kids are swimming beside or with your pet, make sure they have on their life vest. 

Watch for water-related problems such as ear infections, a dull, dry coat and signs of dehydration. Dehydration can occur quickly — an easy way to check that your dog is not dehydrated is to lift your dog’s lips and look for bright pink and moist gums. 

Outdoor exposure to water can change your dog’s vaccination needs. Know your dog’s travel history, disease exposure, age, breed and health status to tailor a vaccination protocol. Pets can contract several contagious water-borne illnesses and intestinal parasites such as Giardia from exposure to outdoor untreated water. 

Also, excessive ingestion of heavily chlorinated pool water, saltwater or stagnant lake water can result in vomiting and diarrhea. You might consider bringing plenty of fresh filtered or bottled water to the pool, ocean or lake to avoid intentional ingestion of these and other potentially harmful agents.

 Be sure always to have plenty of fresh water available at all times to all pets in the home, year-round. Provide plenty of shade and a cool, dry shelter from the heat and the elements. To avoid burned footpads and heat exhaustion, exercise your pets during the early morning and at dusk when the pavement is cooler and heatstroke is less likely.

Many people choose a copayment plan because they want the predictability of knowing exactly how much they will pay out of pocket for doctor visits and prescriptions. However, many people who purchase these plans don’t realize they are paying hundreds of dollars extra each year for the convenience of copayments. In a traditional copayment health plan, you generally pay for health care like this:

+ You pay a relatively high monthly premium for coverage.

+ When you see an in-network doctor for an office visit, you pay a copayment.

+ When you fill a prescription, you pay a copayment.

+ When you go to the hospital, have a procedure, or have lab tests, you pay a fee that is applied toward your deductible.

+ When you meet your deductible, you begin paying coinsurance, until you meet your coinsurance maximum for the year.

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Health insurance protects you from the financial burden of high medical expenses.  An injury as relatively common as a broken arm or leg can quickly cost quite a bit of money. Add up an emergency room visit, x-rays, lab tests, setting the injury, a cast, follow-up visits and medications- soon your bill is over $10,000! A more serious illness or injury, such as a major car accident or a diagnosis of cancer, can easily cost hundreds of thousands of dollars.

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The annual contribution limit for health savings accounts (HSAs) will increase for high deductible health plans with effective dates of January 1, 2012 or later.

For individuals with self-only coverage enrolled in a high deductible health plan, the maximum HSA contribution amount will increase from $3,050 to $3,100. For individuals with family coverage enrolled in a high deductible health plan, the maximum HSA contribution amount will increase from $6,150 to $6,250.In 2012, a high deductible health plan will continue to be defined as a health plan with an annual deductible that is at least $1,200 for self-only coverage or $2,400 for family coverage, and an annual out-of-pocket maximum amount that does not exceed $6,050 for self-only coverage or $12,100 for family coverage. Out-of-pocket expenses include deductibles, co-payments and other amounts, but do not include premiums.

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GREAT COVERAGE STARTS HERE:  For most all non-grandfathered plans offered by Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Carolina now offer 100% coverage for all preventive services….no more co-payments or deductibles.  Some of these benefits include adult annual exams, urinalysis, blood test, screen test, immunizations, well-baby care, well- child care, mammograms, colonoscopies, polyp removal and obesity evaluation and management.

Also being offered are our new lower costs plans by BCBSNC ,  Saver 1, 2 & 3 plans offering high deductibles as well as limited office visit co-payments, limited prescription coverage and plans offering no co-payments with deductibles as high as $10,000.00 and $20,000.00.    Of course, Blue Options HSA and Blue Advantage plans are among the most popular plans being sold today.  Now you have the ability to select from a broad array of plans that will work best with your budget.

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.

Chapel Hill, N.C. – Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina (BCBSNC) today announced the launch of HealthNAVSM1, a new mobile application designed to help on-the-go customers access information and manage their personal health care. The free app is now available for download by customers with an Apple® iPhone®, iPad™ and iPod touch®. 

The 1.0 version of the mobile app features four functions, including: 

• An urgent care finder that helps customers locate in-network urgent care centers, as a more efficient and affordable alternative to emergency rooms. 
• A prescription drug finder that allows customers to compare average drug costs, and find cheaper alternatives while they are discussing options with their doctor, or in preparation for a visit. 
• Customer service access that provides customers one-click access to call a customer service representative when they need answers quickly. 
• Health notes that let users store notes about personal and family health in one place, and includes suggested questions to ask your doctor during a visit. 

To download the app, simply visit the iTunes® store, search for BCBSNC and click download, or click on any of our mobile ads, which link directly to the description page in the iTunes store.

The above information is from a post by BCBSNC in 2010 and located at bcbsnc.com.

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.