It’s back to school and NC Health Plans encourages preventive care for your school-aged children!  Here are some simple steps you can take to help keep your kids healthy this school year.

1.  Make sure your student washes his or her hands regularly.  School nurses encourage parents not only to emphasize the importance of hand washing, but also to teach your children how and when to wash their hands.  Stress the importance of keeping fingers away from eyes, nose and mouth and how to cover any coughs and sneezes using elbows instead of hands.
2.  Provide a nutritious diet.  Nothing beats a little protein every morning to help kids’ brains in gear for the new day
3. Making sure kids get enough sleep.  Most studies agree that children need between 9 and 11 hours of sleep to work and play optimally.
4. Stay up to date on immunizations.  Also, make sure you keep your kids home from school when they do fall sick so that they have an opportunity to rest and recover and other children are not affected.  This will minimize the spread of illnesses.  Most schools require that students stay home for at least 24 hours after a fever subsides, but some children may require more time to ensure a full recovery.
5. Provide your child with a pack of disinfectant wipes and hand-sanitizer to keep in their desk.  This is always a good idea and sure to be appreciated by their teacher.
6. Before they start school, make sure your child has a preventive care checkup.  If your child is not currently insured, consider obtaining a health insurance policy that allows you to keep them up to date on wellness visits and vaccinations.  Open Enrollment begins November 1st and you can enroll your child in a policy at this time.

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.

Enrolling in Medicare means you have new choices in terms of health coverage, but not every Medicare plan is the same.  At NC Health Plans we know how important it is for you to fully understand what transitioning into Medicare may mean for you in terms of your health care. In fact, we are committed to helping you understand your Medicare options and determine which Medicare plan offers you the coverage and benefits you need.

Don’t wait!  About six months prior to your 65th birthday you should begin your Medicare research.  Make it a priority to understand what your Original Medicare (Parts A and B) covers and what it doesn’t cover.  Look closely at obtaining a Medicare Supplement, which can help fill in the gaps not covered by Medicare.  Although Original Medicare is offered by the federal government, in most cases a Medicare supplement plan is needed to offset health costs.

Talk with a licensed agent.  Medicare is complicated and it is of utmost importance that you understand enrollment periods and how those periods will affect your ability to obtain supplemental coverage.  Missing important enrollment periods can make your enrollment process much more complicated.  As licensed agents, we will help you through the transition and make sure you are notified of important dates and deadlines that affect your Medicare coverage.

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.

As Open Enrollment 2017 approaches, you may still have questions about health insurance under the Affordable Care Act (otherwise known as Obamacare) and what you need to do to make sure you and your family have the coverage you need at the most cost-effective price available.  Having a licensed agent as your point of contact is one of the best ways to get the answers you need.  Below are some of the questions we are most frequently asked here at NC Health Plans along with our answers:

1. Do I have to have health insurance?  Yes you do.  Under the Affordable Care Act, you are required by law to carry health insurance or be subject to a tax penalty.
2. How much is the penalty for not having insurance?  In 2016, the tax penalty is $695 per person or 2.5% of your income, whichever is higher.  The penalty will likely increase in 2017.
3. Can I be exempt from the penalty?  Yes.  Under certain circumstances, you may obtain a tax exemption.  Visit the government website for a complete list of tax exemption reasons.
4. Do I qualify for a federal subsidy?  You may.  Federal subsidies are based on your Modified Adjusted Gross Income (predicted for 2017) and the number of people on your tax return.  For help determining whether or not you qualify, visit www.nchealthplans.com or call 888-765-5400 to speak with a licensed agent.
5. What if my income changes over the course of the year?  You are required to update any income changes with the federal Marketplace.  A failure to do could result in you having to pay back a portion of your premium tax credit.
6. Do I have to enroll through the federal Marketplace (Exchange)?  No; however, you do have to have an ACA compliant plan to avoid a tax penalty. You do not have to get your plan through the federal Marketplace and Blue Cross Blue Shield offers plans both on and off the Marketplace so if you do not qualify for a federal subsidy, you may want to apply directly.

Obtaining health insurance doesn’t have to be a headache.  At NC Health Plans we utilize the most up-to-date online and telephone application process available to help make the enrollment process easy and are available to answer any questions you may have about your health insurance needs.  2017 quotes for BCBSNC health insurance will be available November 1st, when Open Enrollment begins.  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.

NC Health Plans offers short term health insurance for qualified individuals over the age of 19 or students who are not yet 19 can be on a short term policy with a parent or guardian.  These plans can begin as soon as the very next day so your student will not have to miss even one day of class time!

College students are one of the largest demographics of uninsured Americans and universities and colleges all over the country are mandating coverage in order to change that statistic. Over the last few years, more and more colleges and universities have insisted on health insurance as a prerequisite to enrollment as they realize the benefits of knowing their students are covered in case of accident or illness.

Although some colleges and universities offer health insurance on a semester basis, many student policies end during the months when school is not in session, which can leave a big gap in coverage.  Even further, many health plans offered by schools are quite expensive or don’t offer the depth or quality of coverage many students need.  So what is the answer?

A good option is temporary health insurance.  (more…)

Transitioning into Medicare can be an overwhelming prospect.  With Original Medicare Parts A and B, Part D Prescription coverage, NC Medicare Supplements, and various other Medicare options, it can be tough to figure out which plan is best for you.  While understanding Medicare and what it covers may seem daunting, at NC Health Plans we want to make enrollment as easy as possible.  We make it our job to understand Medicare and are here to assist you through the process from beginning to end.  Here are a few things to keep in mind as you begin researching your Medicare options.

Not Everyone is Eligible for Medicare:

• You must be age 65 or older OR you must be eligible due to a disability or End-Stage Renal Disease.
• You or your spouse must have been employed for at least 10 years.
• You must be a United States citizen or a permanent resident.

If you do not meet these requirements, you can contact the Medicare office (1-800- MEDICARE) to find out if you are eligible to apply under other special circumstances.

There are specific Enrollment periods for Medicare:

You cannot enroll in Medicare whenever you choose.  The federal government has established specific enrollment periods and if you do not enroll during these times, you could pay a penalty in addition to your premium.  Understanding these enrollment periods is very important. (more…)

Are you looking for BCBSNC Dental Insurance and are over Age 65?  Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Carolina has you covered!

Medical experts have linked periodontal (gum) disease to stroke, heart disease, diabetes and other critical health issues. In fact, nearly 75 percent of American adults have some form of periodontal disease. With proper daily dental care, however, regular dental checkups can help detect, prevent and treat gum disease and related disorders. Choose Dental Blue for Seniors and you can take a big step toward protecting your overall health.

With Dental Blue for Seniors, you’re covered for a broad range of dental services, including routine fillings and extractions, plus major services like crowns, bridges and dentures. Coverage also includes preventive care, such as bite-wing X-rays and fluoride treatments. That means you can get checkups and cleanings twice per benefit period, which ultimately supports better oral health.  In addition, there are no waiting periods for cleanings, routine oral exams and other diagnostic and preventive services. (more…)

At NC Health Plans, summer is our favorite time of year; however, summer can be stressful!  Although summer may seem like the time of year that should have the least amount of stress, oftentimes the fast-paced, vacation-packed, activity-driven summer months can be demanding and exhausting.  Stress is a normal psychological and physiological response to the ever-increasing demands of daily life, but it can wreak havoc on the human body. In fact, surveys show that many Americans suffer from stress at some point during the year and is it any wonder?  Managing the pressures of work, home, and family can be taxing to say the least and the stress created can take a toll on both body and mind.  For that reason, stress management is an increasingly important part of preventive care, even during the summer months.

One way to manage stress effectively is to practice relaxation.  In fact, developing relaxation techniques is an essential part of stress management.  If you are an overachiever, you may put relaxation low on your priority list, but don’t shortchange yourself.  Purposeful relaxation intended to recharge your mind and body is widely recognized as an important habit of highly effective individuals. (more…)

According to the American Cancer Society, more than one million people in the United States get cancer each year. That’s more than 1 in every 3 women and almost 1 out of every 2 men!  In addition, the American Heart Association reports that about 800,000 people in the U. S. will have a stroke during their lifetime and heart attacks, especially in women, are on the rise.  Have you ever considered how a critical illness might affect your family and your finances? The inability to work can have serious repercussions on your family’s income, in addition to the many costs you can incur during illness and recovery.

Critical Illness Insurance can help your family weather such times by paying you cash for qualifying illnesses such as life-threatening cancer, heart attack or stroke.  The money is paid directly to you and can be used with any other health insurance policy you may have, or to cover you financially if you don’t have health insurance.  You can use the cash payment to help you with things like insurance deductibles, coinsurance, copayments, durable medical equipment or simply to supplement your income and help pay bills while you or your loved one is out of work.  If your family relies on your income and the loss of that income would be catastrophic, a Critical Illness insurance policy may be the answer. (more…)

Summer is flying by and it won’t be long until Open Enrollment begins for 2017.  In fact, now is the time to start thinking about your health insurance needs for the coming year and getting prepared.  For many North Carolinians, 2016 saw an increase in insurance premiums as well as changes in long-standing networks.  Enrollment issues with the federal Marketplace and customer service issues across the board left many BCBSNC members feeling weary and frustrated.  As insurance agents, we understand those frustrations.  Blue Cross Blue Shield of NC has worked tirelessly over the last few months to update information, improve communication, and meet the challenges presented by the ACA market.  On June 9th, BCBSNC President and CEO Brad Wilson told the News and Observer, “While some critics of the law are saying ‘I told you so,’ I believe we need to take a more constructive tone toward making sure the ACA is in fact sustainable for the long haul” (Read full article).

And that is just what Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Carolina is doing. (more…)

Open Enrollment 2017 begins November 1st and runs through January 31st, so if you are currently uninsured or need to make a plan change, you will be able to apply and obtain coverage in just a few months.  Open Enrollment will not begin until November 2016, but you can begin preparing even now. Although you cannot generate a quote with 2017 rates for a few more months, there are a number of questions you can ask yourself, as well as some important pieces of information you can gather so that you are ready to successfully navigate Open Enrollment 2017.

As you prepare, there are a few important things to consider:

• Are you looking for a policy for yourself or are you including family members on your policy?
• Do you think you will qualify for a government subsidy? (Subsidies determined by Modified Adjusted Gross Income and the number of people in your household).  Also, your subsidy will be based on projected 2017 income.
• What kind of BCBSNC health plan are you looking for?  Do you prefer a high deductible plan or something with co-payments?
• How important is the size of your network when it comes to health care providers in your area?

Also, remember that in order to secure an effective date of January 1st, you must complete your application by December 15th. (more…)

Although Medicare Supplement benefits are standard under federal law, there are benefits to being a Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Carolina member.  Not only does BCBSNC have a substantial presence in North Carolina, they are a name you can trust when it comes to your health insurance needs.  In fact, Blue Cross Blue Shield of NC has been serving the residents of North Carolina for over 80 years providing consumer-focused, high-quality health insurance.

For Medicare recipients, Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Carolina offers the same high standard of customer care providing Medicare Supplement plans at a competitive price.  BCBSNC Medicare Supplement members also have access to added benefits like Blue to Blue, a program allowing members to change from one Supplement plan to another once a year without undergoing medical underwriting.  This means if your health care needs change, you can choose a new plan to accommodate your  changing circumstances.

In addition, BCBSNC partners with Silver and Fit to offer members access to local gyms and exercise facilities at a significantly reduced price.  Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Carolina is a leader in promoting preventive care and Silver and Fit helps Medicare recipients maintain health and wellness, while also providing for regular exercise and social engagement. (more…)

Happy 4th of July from NC Health Plans!

This 4th of July, amidst all the celebration, it’s important to keep in mind that fireworks can be dangerous.  Although fun, fireworks can cause burns and eye injuries in both children and adults, as well as more serious injuries.  In fact, according to the experts, the best way to protect your family is not to use any fireworks at home, but rather take your family to a public fireworks display and leave the show to the professionals.  In many areas fireworks at home are prohibited and if you intend to use fireworks at home this year, make sure you check with your local police department regarding what is legal.  Also, practice safety!  Review the following list of tips from the National Council of Fireworks Safety:

• Buy only legal fireworks.  In other words, look for fireworks that come with a label that includes the manufacturer’s name and instructions.  Store all fireworks in a cool, dry place.
• Never attempt to make your own fireworks.
• Always keep fireworks outside and keep a bucket of water or a garden hose handy.
• Never throw or point fireworks at another person.
• Light one firework at a time and wear eye protection.  Never attempt to relight a “dud.”  If it doesn’t work the first time, let it go.
• Have a designated shooter prepare a shooting area and carefully read the instructions on each firework.
• Refrain from alcohol use while handling fireworks of any kind.
• Soak all fireworks and pieces of fireworks before throwing them in the trash can.  If they are still ignited, they could explode at any time.
• Think about your pets!  Animals often become extremely agitated on the 4th of July because of all the noise.  Make sure to keep your pets secured indoors to reduce the risk of them running loose or getting injured.
• Finally, if someone does incur an injury, visit your doctor or hospital immediately.  Do not attempt to treat or flush out any eye injuries as this can cause even more damage.  Seek professional medical attention for any burns to either the eyes or skin.

(more…)