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…)

A Home Health Care policy is an affordable solution that provides flexibility and financial support as you recover at home surrounded by family and friends.  For as little as $12.15 monthly, a Home Health Care policy pays benefits directly to you and in addition to other NC health insurance, including Medicare.  If you or a loved one has ever been faced with an accident or illness that requires skilled nursing care, physical therapy, speech therapy or other types of home health care, you know how important it is to be able to recover at home comfortably and free of financial stress.

Perhaps you have aging parents and are concerned how a sudden illness or unforseen accident might affect your ability to care for them without having to admit them into a nursing home or assisted living facility.  Or maybe it’s you or your spouse that could possibly need at home health care. Either way, a Home Health Care policy can help.

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Medicare Supplements through Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Carolina are a great way for individuals already enrolled in Medicare Parts A and B to fill the coverage gaps left by Original Medicare.  Although some people who have a Medicare plan may also have supplemental coverage provided by a former employer to help pay health care costs not covered by Medicare, many do not.  If you don’t have access to employer coverage, you may choose to select a Medicare Supplement through a private carrier such as BCBSNC.

You can enroll in a Medicare Supplement through Blue Cross Blue Shield NC and have guaranteed issue (meaning you cannot be denied coverage) during the Initial Enrollment Period.  This period begins the first day of the month in which an applicant is both age 65 or older and enrolled in Medicare Part B.  This is the very best time to enroll in a Medicare Supplement.  There are, however, other special circumstances when a Medicare eligible person loses their current coverage through no fault of their own when they may be eligible for a Medicare Supplement through BCBSNC on a guaranteed issue basis. (more…)

Transitioning into Medicare can be a big adjustment, especially for those individuals now living on a fixed income, but Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Carolina can help make that transition simpler.  Did you know, for instance, that Medicare will provide extra help for prescription drug costs for certain individuals who meet specified income and resource limits.  Similar to a federal subsidy under the Affordable Care Act for individual under-65 health plans, Medicare offers assistance to those who meet certain criteria.  If you do qualify, you could receive extra help paying for your Medicare drug plan.

Some people may automatically qualify for this program.  For instance, if you have Medicare and become eligible for Medicaid or if you receive Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits without Medicaid, you will likely qualify.  Medicare usually notifies those who automatically qualify and do not need to apply.  Keep in mind, you must be enrolled in a Medicare drug plan in order to receive the extra help benefit. (more…)

Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Carolina supports healthy living at every age and has served the residents of NC for over 80 years by offering quality health insurance products, to include Medicare Supplement plans, at a competitive price.

If you are over the age of 65 and still working a job that offers you health coverage or if you are still covered by your spouse’s employer insurance, you may have chosen to delay enrollment in Medicare Part B.  Keep in mind, however, that once you lose that employer coverage you will only have 8 months to enroll in Part B or you could lose your special enrollment and be subject to penalties.  Your monthly premium for Part B coverage increases 10% for each full 12-month period you could have enrolled in Part B, but chose not to and that can add up quickly.  In addition, if you miss that 8-month window, you may also find that you are unable to enroll until the General Enrollment period (Jan. 1- March 31) and your coverage will not begin until July 1 of that year, which could lead to a gap in coverage.

If you plan ahead, however, you can avoid these pitfalls and your transition into Medicare can be seamless.  A good rule of thumb is to start the process of enrolling in Part B two months prior to losing your group coverage.  Keep in mind that enrollment in Medicare Part B is required if you intend to enroll in a Medicare Advantage or Medicare Supplement Plan to help cover the health care costs not covered by Medicare.  Once your Part B enrollment information is in the system, you can begin working on applications for other Medicare products, like Supplements. (more…)

Ready or not, if you are turning 65, life is changing.  Perhaps you are ready to retire and catch up on some traveling.  Perhaps you intend to keep working a bit longer, but are planning to put in a few less hours.  No matter what your 65th birthday brings, you can be sure of one thing.  Your health insurance options are going to change significantly.  Being prepared for Medicare is one of the smartest things you can do as you approach this major milestone and Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Carolina can help.

Here are some things you can do to prepare: (more…)

If you are turning 65 and are newly eligible for Medicare, you may be asking yourself this important question:  Is Medicare enough coverage to meet your health care needs?  Here are some facts to keep in mind as you are exploring your Medicare options:

Medicare Parts A and B, which are also known as Original Medicare, are run by the federal government and if you have these two parts, the government will pay the doctors and hospitals you visit.  However, not every expense will necessarily be covered and you may want to consider a Medicare Supplement. (more…)

Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Carolina is committed to promoting well-being and preventive care for its senior members.  In an effort to provide older members with a benefit for staying fit, BCBSNC partners with American Specialty Health to offer the Silver & Fit program.  The Silver & Fit program is designed for older adults and provides access to a variety of fitness facilities from national chains to small community clubs. Eligible members can join the program and enjoy community involvement while maintaining a healthy and fit lifestyle. (more…)

Turning 65 is a big milestone and transitioning into Medicare can be an overwhelming prospect.  With Original Medicare Parts A and B, various other Medicare options, and Medicare Supplements offered through Blue Cross Blue Shield of NC, it can be tough to figure out which plan is best for you.  Although understanding Medicare and what it covers may take some getting used to, at NC Health Plans we want to make it as easy as possible.  Here are a few basic things to keep in mind as you begin researching your Medicare options. (more…)

Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Carolina

Medicare Supplement

1. What is Medicare?

A: Medicare is a Federal health insurance program for people ages 65 years or older, certain people with disabilities, and people with permanent kidney failure treated with dialysis or a transplant. Medicare has two parts – Part A, which is hospital insurance and Part B, which is medical insurance.

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 During many conversations with prospective and current senior clients, I am often asked a question about the differences between a Medicare Supplement Policy and Medicare Advantage.  To answer that question, you first need to understand what Medicare is and how it works.  Generally speaking, Medicare is health insurance for people age 65 or older or under age 65 with certain disabilities.  It can also be elected by an individual at any age with End-Stage Renal Disease (ESRD) (permanent kidney failure requiring dialysis or a kidney transplant).  It helps cover some of the medical services and supplies during inpatient and outpatient hospital procedures, doctor’s visits, and other health care settings.  Original Medicare has two parts:  Medicare Part A Hospital Insurance and Medicare Part B Medical Insurance. 

 Medicare Part A is normally a premium-free benefit if you or your spouse paid Medicare taxes while employed.  If you paid this tax, you are automatically enrolled in Medicare Part A.  It helps cover inpatient hosptial care, inpatient stays in skilled nursing facilities, hospice services, and home health care services.  Medicare Part B helps cover medical services such as doctor’s visits, preventive care, outpatient surgeries, and other medical services.  Unlike Medicare Part A, there is a monthly premium for Medicare Part B, which happens to be $96.40 for 2009.   A Medicare Supplement policy, also referred to as a “Medigap” policy, is private health insurance that can be purchased by eligible individuals on Original Medicare (Part A and B) to help cover some of the gaps that the Original Medicare plan does not cover, such as coinsurance and deductibles.  Without a supplement, costs for the portions that Medicare does not pay can be in the thousands of dollars!  Both Original Medicare and the supplement policy will pay their share of the Medicare-approved amount for covered services, thus cutting the insured member’s out-of-pocket costs.  Supplement policies are sold by private health insurance companies, like Blue Cross Blue Shield North Carolina.  To purchase a supplement policy, an individual must be enrolled in Medicare Part A and Medicare Part B.  A Medicare Advantage Plan is another way to get Medicare benefits.  It is also known as Medicare Part C.  These are plans approved by Medicare, but administrated by private health insurance companies, like Blue Cross Blue Shield North Carolina.  Unlike a supplement policy, an individual does not purchase a Medicare Advantage Plan to supplement their Original Medicare.  In contrast, the individual enrolls in a Medicare Advantage Plan which takes the place of their Original Medicare Plan.  Benefits under these plans are often “richer” than Original Medicare as well.  They usually include prescription drug benefits built right into the plan.  Some plans are premium-free depending on their benefits, but individuals can also purchase extra benefits as well.  Regardless if they are premium-free, an individual will always continue to pay their Medicare Part B premium.  Plans include, but are not limited to, Medicare PPO’s, HMO’s, and Private Fee-for-Service Plans (PFFS).  So, in summary, a supplement plan does just what the name implies – it “supplements” what the Original Medicare Plan does not cover.  A Medicare Advantage Plan takes the place of Original Medicare, often with richer coverage.  For more information on these policies, please call  toll free at 877-359-9250 or CLICK HERE.