Enrolling in Medicare is far too often an overwhelming experience.  The various parts and plans are enough to make an educated individual feel confused and frustrated when just trying to understand the new coverage options.  Thanks to technology, there is no shortage of resources available to help with the research.  However, access to information doesn’t always simplify the matter.  Determining the most trusted sources of information and who is best to advise are common additional questions.

These are just a few of the many concerns for new Medicare recipients.  Most people have been covered for years by a familiar health insurance plan.  Whether employer sponsored plans or an individual health plan, the coverage concepts have likely been the same for a very long time.  This sense of familiarity is suddenly gone when entering the world of Medicare.

Medicare is broken down into separate Parts, some of which are provided by the Federal Government and others that are provided by private insurance companies.  Medicare Supplement plans are also available through private insurance companies like Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Carolina to fill coverage gaps that exist within Medicare Part A and B.  This all means Medicare beneficiaries are often blessed with numerous options; however, understanding these options becomes the next important step.

Despite this feeling of confusion and overload, the good news is thanks to the internet and technology, information about Medicare is now more readily available than ever.  From websites like NC Health Plans, you can read about the different Medicare plans and parts, generate free quotes, research at your own pace, and talk with a live representative anytime you have questions or concerns.  This puts the Medicare recipient in the driver’s seat and allows them to make the best decisions for themselves and their specific medical needs.

In conclusion, my advice is simple.   First, don’t let the fear of the unfamiliar overwhelm you.  This is a great time to be making this transition and to learn about your Medicare options.  Next, don’t hesitate to speak with a licensed advisor.  Medicare advisors have been formally trained on the topic and the good ones are happy to help you better understand the options.  Finally, don’t overcomplicate it.  Everyone’s medical coverage needs are different, but just a few Medicare plans are most popular.  Ask which plans are most popular and why.  The answer to this question should help you narrow your search and understand the differences.

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.

Good news for older adults, part of the prescription for a healthier, better retirement is exercise. Physical activity protects against declining health and adds years to your life.    Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Carolina offers many choices of Medicare Supplement Plans which offers discounts to gyms and don’t forget those wellness visits each year.

Did you know that moderate intensity physical activity can help you live longer and reduce health problems? Regular exercise helps control blood pressure, body weight and cholesterol levels, and cuts the risk for hardening of the arteries, heart attack and stroke. It conditions muscles, tendons, ligaments and bones to help fight osteoporosis, keep your body more limber and stabilize your joints, thus lowering the risk of everyday injury. Also, it improves digestion and is good for managing lower back pain, arthritis and diabetes. Regular physical activity helps you maintain your independence. Recently, there has been research that suggests an active lifestyle lowers the risk of some cancers. But perhaps the best reason for incorporating regular exercise into your life is that you will feel better. Exercise helps you sleep better and manage stress better, and gives you more energy to enjoy work and play.

A good exercise program includes cardiovascular exercise, muscular conditioning and flexibility exercises. The best cardiovascular exercises for seniors are non-jarring, such as walking, swimming and cycling. Start with a light regimen and gradually build up to a total of at least 30 minutes of activity on most days of the week. Playing with children, walking the dog, dancing and gardening are other ways to incorporate activity into your daily routine.

Strengthening exercises such as lifting light weights help to maintain your muscle mass and promote bone health. Research suggests that adults older than 50 years who do not perform resistance training lose nearly 1/4 pound of muscle mass per year. Since muscle mass is directly related to how many calories your body burns each day, resistance training is important for weight management. End each workout with stretching exercises to help maintain your mobility and range of motion and decrease your risk for injury.

The best way to keep fit is to choose exercises you like. Some older adults like aqua aerobics, yoga, pilates or just walking the dog. Seniors also enjoy group exercise classes, since they offer an opportunity to socialize and develop friendships.  As always, make sure you consult your doctor before beginning any new exercise program.

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.

If you are transitioning into Medicare either because you are turning 65 or have become newly eligible due to a
disability, you will likely want to consider enrolling in a Medicare Supplement.  Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Carolina can help. Because traditional Medicare, Parts A & B, do not cover some medical expenses, it’s important to understand what other options are available to you to help supplement your Medicare and offset your out of pocket health care costs.

Even before you are eligible for Medicare, you can begin reviewing your options.  Explore Medicare Supplements and begin deciding what plans work best for you.  Consult with a licensed Medicare Agent to discuss available plans and begin thinking about what kind of plan best fits your budget and your lifestyle.  Keep in mind that Medicare Supplements through Blue Cross Blue Shield are accepted by all Medicare providers.  Remember that the best time to enroll in a Medicare Supplement is during your initial enrollment period.

Medicare Supplements are designed to fill the gaps that exist in a traditional Medicare plan and can give you the peace of mind of knowing you will have the coverage you need when you need it most.  Supplements can help pay your Medicare deductibles, coinsurance and copayments and can significantly reduce your out of pocket expenses.

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 a Medicare recipient you have choices and Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Carolina is a trusted name in Medicare Supplement insurance. If you are new to Medicare or exploring the possibility of making a change to your current Medicare plan, get a free rate quote now and experience the benefits of having an agent just a phone call away.

Enrolling a new Medicare supplement plan or making a change to your existing plan can be stressful, but at NC Health Plans we strive to make the enrollment process as simple as possible.  You can now enroll your Blue Cross Blue Shield Medicare plan online from the comfort of your own home, saving you time, money and paperwork! Whatever BCBSNC Medicare plan interests you, at NC Health Plans we offer a convenient, secure online application that will only take a few minutes.  You may also speak with one of our licensed agents to discuss plans, as well as receive prompt and courteous assistance in completing and submitting your application right online.

At NC Health Plans, we understand that your time is as valuable as your health and we work hard to help our customers enjoy the best possible enrollment experience.  For your free rate quote visit www.nchealthplans.com, call 888-765-5400, or click the button below.

The Annual Open Enrollment Period for Medicare is coming to an end on December 7th.  If you need to enroll a Medicare Supplement plan or would like to make changes to your current plan, there’s still time!  Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Carolina offers Medicare Supplement plans with added benefits such as Silver & Fit, and also provides Medicare recipients with many choices for Medicare supplemental coverage.

At NC Health Plans we strive to make the Enrollment Period as simple and stress-free as possible and offer a variety of Medicare Supplement plans through Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Carolina.  Your application can be submitted right from the comfort of your home and our licensed NC health insurance agents are available to help you make changes to your existing plan, compare plans or enroll a new plan.

Don’t miss the Medicare Open Enrollment period!  Call 888-765-5400 or visit our website at www.nchealthplans.com.  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.

A Medicare Supplement, sometimes called Medigap, is a health insurance policy designed to “fill the gaps” in Original Medicare (Medicare Part A and Part B).  Basically, a Medigap policy picks up where Original Medicare leaves off.  These plans are sold by private insurance companies, like Blue Cross Blue Shield of NC, and the policies are federally regulated, meaning they must cover basic benefits and pay for most of the original Medicare coinsurance and copayment amounts.  There are 11 standardized Medigap plans (Plan A – Plan N) and Blue Cross Blue Shield of NC offers all of them.

The “core” benefits of all Medicare Supplement plans include:

• Medicare Part A coinsurance for days 61-90 of a hospital stay
• Coverage of up to 365 additional days of a hospital stay during a member’s lifetime after Medicare hospital benefits have been exhausted
• Coinsurance or copayment amount for Medicare Part B services after meeting the yearly deductible
• The first 3 pints of blood per calendar year
• Hospice benefit

Medicare Supplements help eliminate any unexpected costs you might incur should you have only Original Medicare.  Keep in mind that Medicare Supplements are different from Medicare Advantage plans, often referred to as Part C and pay benefits very differently.  To be eligible for a NC Medicare Supplement plan, you must reside in the state of North Carolina, be enrolled in both Medicare Part A and Part B, and be age 65 or older OR disabled as defined by the Social Security Administration, be on kidney dialysis or transplant eligible.

There is an open enrollment period for Medicare Supplement plans.  You have six months to buy a Medigap policy with guaranteed issue and this period begins the first day of the month in which you are BOTH age 65 or older and enrolled in Medicare Part B.  During this period, you cannot be denied coverage based on health history.  The Open Enrollment period is usually the best and simplest time to purchase a Medicare Supplement plan.

Transitioning into Medicare can be a confusing process, but the more you know about Medicare and what types of supplemental insurance are available to you the more equipped you will be to make the best decision for you and your health care needs.  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 a new Medicare supplement plan or making a change to your existing plan can be a headache, but at NC Health Plans we strive to make the enrollment process as simple as possible.  You can now enroll your Blue Cross Blue Shield Medicare plan online from the comfort of your own home, saving you time, money and paperwork!  Whatever BCBSNC Medicare plan interests you, at NC Health Plans we offer a convenient, secure online application that will only take a few minutes.  You may also speak with one of our licensed agents to discuss plans, as well as receive prompt and courteous assistance in completing and submitting your application right online.

As a Medicare recipient you have choices and Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Carolina is a trusted name in Medicare Supplement insurance. If you are new to Medicare or exploring the possibility of making a change to your current Medicare plan, get a free rate quote now and experience the benefits of having an agent at your fingertips or just a phone call away.

At NC Health Plans, we understand that your time is as valuable as your health and we work hard to help our customers enjoy the best possible enrollment experience.  For your free rate quote visit www.nchealthplans.com, call 888-765-5400, or click the button below.

The Annual Enrollment Period for Medicare has officially begun and will continue through December 7, 2017 and Blue Cross Blue Shield of NC offers a variety of Medicare plans.  This period allows Medicare recipients to enroll in new Medicare plans and Part D Prescription plans or make changes to existing coverage.  At NC Health Plans we strive to make the Enrollment Period as simple and stress-free as possible and offer a variety of Medicare Supplement plans through Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Carolina.  Your application can be submitted right from the comfort of your home and our licensed NC health insurance agents are available to help you make changes to your existing plan, compare plans or enroll in new NC Medicare supplemental coverage.

If your current Medicare plan is not working for you or you are new to Medicare, please visit our website at www.nchealthplans.com or call 888-765-5400 to request a quote and see new 2017 Blue Cross Blue Shield of NC Medicare plans and pricing.

The Medicare Annual Enrollment Period begins in two short weeks and new Blue Cross Blue Shield of NC plans and rates have been released!  For more information, you can request a quote and compare plans through our website nchealthplans.com.  At NC Health Plans we are committed to helping our Medicare customers understand and enroll in Medicare supplemental coverage as easily as possible.  Not only can everything be done from the comfort of your own home, a licensed agent is simply a phone call away.

Keep in mind, the Medicare Annual Enrollment period does not officially begin until October 15th and you cannot submit an application until that date, but now is the time to begin comparing plans and choosing what best suits your needs for the coming year.  The Enrollment period will end December 7th.

Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Carolina has been serving NC residents for over 80 years and is a name you can trust when it comes to your Medicare needs.  For more information on North Carolina Medicare 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.

“In every [life] phase, you’ll be confronted with something that scares you. And you have to go into it being as fearless as you can.”

-Rebecca Minkoff

If you are Medicare eligible and moving or have recently moved to North Carolina, welcome! North Carolina is a beautiful state with a diverse landscape, a rich history and much to offer individuals of every age.  North Carolina is well-known as a great state for retirees and boasts one of the largest populations of military verterans in the country.  We think you will love NC, but let’s face it, moving is a big deal.  As a military spouse of 20 years, I’ve made my fair share of moves and it’s always an ordeal.  In addition to learning a new place and new people, there are a lot of logistics that require time and attention.  Health insurance is one of those logistical issues that can be overwhelming when you move, but we at NC Health plans are here to help.

As a Medicare recipient you have some important things to consider when moving.  If you are newly retiring and new to Medicare, you should begin researching your NC Medicare options.  You will want to get enrolled in Original Medicare (Part A and Part B) through the Social Security office.  Next, you will need to determine what kind of supplemental policy is best for you.  Keep in mind that Medicare Advantage plans are NC county specific so you will need to determine what is available in the county to which you are moving.

If you are already a Medicare recipient, your move to North Carolina opens an important window for you in which you are able to enroll in new supplemental coverage.  It’s important that you do not wait too long after your move to secure NC Medicare supplemental insurance as there are strict rules regarding application deadlines and your ability to enroll your plan with guaranteed issue.  Understanding these important time frames can save you a big headache down the road and make your transition to North Carolina much easier. (more…)

If you are a Medicare recipient, the Medicare Annual Enrollment Period (AEP) will begin October 15, 2016 and end on December 7, 2016. The Annual Enrollment Period (AEP) allows beneficiaries to enroll a plan, with coverage effective January 1st, 2017.  During Medicare AEP, Medicare beneficiaries may make any change to their Medicare benefits, including dropping, adding or changing Part D Prescription Drug plans. This period allows you to switch from one plan to another based on your current medical needs or because of changes to your current health plan that may require you to enroll in something new. The Annual Enrollment Period is important because if you miss it, you may not be able to make changes again until fall of 2017.

Keep in mind that although you are not allowed to submit an application prior to October 15th, now is the time to begin researching your NC Medicare options. Reevaluate your health care needs and see if your current plan is offering sufficient coverage benefits.  Your current Medicare plan may also make changes, such as an increase in monthly premium or availability in your area.  Make sure you are aware of any changes that might affect you so you are prepared on October 15th to make any necessary adjustments. (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…)