Believe it or not, Open Enrollment is just around the corner and being prepared is half the battle!  This year, Open Enrollment begins November 1st and runs through January 31st, so if you are currently uninsured, you will be able to apply and obtain coverage very shortly.  Although Open Enrollment will not begin until November, you can begin preparing even now.  In fact, there are a number of questions you can ask yourself, as well as some important pieces of information you can gather so you are ready to successfully navigate Open Enrollment 2016. (more…)

Open Enrollment 2018 has officially ended and the Special Enrollment Period has begun.  Contrary to what so many people believe, this does not mean that no Americans are able to purchase health insurance.  It simply means that those purchasing or making changes to existing health insurance plans are subject to a different set of rules that apply to the Special Enrollment Period.

The most distinguishing factor of Special Enrollment is that in order to purchase or change a health insurance plan you must have what is called a Qualifying Life Event.  This means you must have a special circumstance in your life that would qualify you to purchase or change insurance outside of Open Enrollment.  People often experience Qualifying Life Events without even realizing the opportunities presented as it relates to health insurance.

The following is a list of common Qualifying Life Events:

• Loss of minimum coverage (through an employer, government plans, Medicaid, etc.)
• Adding a dependent through birth, adoption or marriage
• Gaining United States citizenship
• Enrollment/non-enrollment errors by the federal Marketplace or the United States Department of Health and Human Services
• Newly eligible for a subsidy or a change in the amount of subsidy for which you are eligible
• Move to North Carolina or a new county within North Carolina
• Other exceptional circumstances

Although this is a list of a few qualifying life events, this list is not exhaustive.  Ultimately, the only way to really determine if you are eligible to change or purchase health insurance during Special Enrollment is to complete an application.  Keep in mind that you can apply for health insurance without any obligation to purchase and the application itself will help you determine subsidy eligibility.

For more information on Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Carolina health 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.  Let us help you navigate through the Health Care Reform changes in accordance with the existing regulations of The Affordable Care Act, also known as Obama care.

All information contained herein is subject to change, from time to time, if the Federal Government or Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Carolina implement any new updates and/or changes that can impact information provided in this blog.

The Health Insurance Marketplace has announced that despite the fact Open Enrollment ended at midnight, February 15th, you may still be able to obtain health insurance for 2015.  The Insurance Marketplace is granting this extension for anyone who missed the deadline due to either technical issues or unusual call volume that made it impossible for you to complete your application by the deadline.  A Special Enrollment Period has been set for February 16-February 22 by the federal government for all those who may have had trouble on the government website or experienced an extensive Call Center wait on February 13, 14 or 15.

This Special Enrollment Period may apply to you:

1.  if you tried to enroll in health coverage by the deadline, but did not complete the enrollment process because of unusual wait times at the Call Center or…

2.  if you tried to enroll, but were unable to complete enrollment due to a technical issue, such as being unable to submit your application because verification sources were down.

If either of these apply to you, you may still be able to get coverage.  To finish your enrollment, you must attest to the truth of one of the above statements with the federal Marketplace and this opportunity will only be available until February 22. 2015.  In order to determine if you eligible for this Special Enrollment Period, you should contact the Marketplace directly.  If you do determine you are still eligible to enroll, we would be happy to help you pick your Blue Cross Blue Shield of NC health plan and guide you through the steps to complete the enrollment process.

Please note that this Special Enrollment Period is intended to help consumers enroll for 2015 health insurance for the first time.  It is not applicable for customers who are already enrolled in a plan through the Marketplace and simply want to switch to a different plan now.  Changes to your health insurance policy are now subject to the rules of Special Enrollment including Qualifying Life Events.

For more information on Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Carolina health insurance coverage, the Marketplace and healthcare gov  to apply for your subsidy, 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.  Let us help you navigate through the Health Care Reform changes in accordance with the new regulations of The Affordable Care Act, also known as Obama care.

The Open Enrollment period for 2015 and your once-a-year opportunity to enroll a new Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Carolina health plan or make changes to your current plan is coming to a close February 15th.  Open Enrollment began November 15th, but if you are one of the many Americans still trying to obtain health insurance for 2015 or if you still need to make changes to your health insurance policy, there is still time.

Here are four different scenarios that may apply to you:

Members with Grandfathered Plans:

A Grandfathered Plan is a health plan that was in place on March 23, 2010 and has had no changes made to it.  These plans are exempt from many of the Affordable Care Act requirements; however, you do have the option to change to an ACA plan.  Keep in mind, though, that once you give up your Grandfathered plan you will not be able to get it back.  Carefully consider the costs and benefits of your current plan and compare it against the available ACA plans before making a decision to change.

Members with Transitional Plans:

A transitional plan is a health plan that was purchased between March 24, 2010 and October 1, 2013.  These plans were originally supposed to be canceled on January 1, 2014 because of the new ACA requirements, but the administration decided at the last minute that members could keep these plans for two additional years.  Like with Grandfathered Plans, you may decide to switch to an ACA plan but remember, a new plan may cost more than your current plan, even with a subsidy applied.  Be sure to weigh your options carefully.

Members with ACA or Subsidized Plans:

ACA plans include many of those purchased on the Health Insurance Marketplace for 2014.  If you have one of these plans, there are some important questions you need to ask.  You want to consider how much you want to pay out of pocket for premiums and deductibles and also you need to consider the size of your network.  If you received a subsidy in 2014, you need to visit the Marketplace and update your subsidy qualifications.  If you don’t, you might not receive as much subsidy as you deserve and could wind up paying more than necessary for your health plan.

Members with ACA or Non-Subsidized Plans:

If you did not receive a subsidy in 2014 and you would like to make changes to your plan, you can still see if you qualify for a subsidy.  Again, consider the plans carefully, including the size of your network, out of pocket costs and monthly premiums.

FEBRUARY 15, 2015 is the last day you can apply for a 2015 plan or make changes to your current plan before the end of the Annual Enrollment Period.  After February 15, you will be subject to the rules of Special Enrollment involving Qualifying Life Events.

For more information on Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Carolina health insurance coverage, the Marketplace and healthcare gov  to apply for your subsidy, 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.  Let us help you navigate through the Health Care Reform changes in accordance with the new regulations of The Affordable Care Act, also known as Obama care.

With the holidays behind us and tax season looming, you may not realize that Open Enrollment is rapidly coming to a close, but it most certainly is.  In fact, there are only 10 days left to finish your application for a Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Carolina health plan and the application must be completed by midnight, February 15th.  If you do not complete an application by the official end of Open Enrollment, you will not be able to purchase health insurance unless you have a Qualifying Life Event until Open Enrollment once again commences later this year.

If you are one of the many Americans trying to obtain a health plan for 2015 before the deadline, there are a few things to keep in mind.  First of all, under the guidelines of the Affordable Care Act you are now required by law to carry health insurance or incur a tax penalty.  The tax penalty is increasing in 2015: a minimum of $325 per year per person or up to 2% of annual individual income (whichever is greater).  To avoid paying this tax penalty, you cannot go uninsured for more than three months in the calendar year.

Also, if you are applying for a federal subsidy to help reduce the cost of your health insurance premium, you must complete a subsidy application before choosing your health plan.  As February 15th approaches, both the Marketplace website and phone lines will be busier and busier.   The sooner you complete your application, the easier it will be.  Keep in mind that not all plans offered through the federal Marketplace are equal.  A Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Carolina subsidized health plan offers the broadest network of providers in the state of North Carolina and because it is not an HMO, you will still have coverage even if you happen to go out of network.

If you complete your application for a subsidized health plan by February 15th, your coverage will begin March 1st and that is the soonest effective date available to you at this point.  However, if you are applying for an unsubsidized health plan, you can still receive an effective date of February 15th if you complete your application by midnight, February 8th.  Either way, all applications for health insurance must be completed by the end of Open Enrollment or be subject to the rules of Special Enrollment involving Qualifying Life Events.

For more information on Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Carolina health insurance coverage, the Marketplace and healthcare gov  to apply for your subsidy, 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.  Let us help you navigate through the Health Care Reform changes in accordance with the new regulations of The Affordable Care Act, also known as Obama care.

With the holidays just around the corner, the last thing on your list may be health insurance, but Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Carolina wants to remind you that Open Enrollment 2015 is in full swing and in order to ensure that your health coverage begins January 1st, your application must be completed by midnight, December 15th.

This is the season for giving and one of the nicest things you can give yourself or the people you love is peace of mind.  A BCBSNC health plan offers just that.  Providing health plans that cover preventive care at 100% and a large network of providers across the state of North Carolina, a Blue Cross Blue Shield of NC health plan will give you the confidence of knowing your family is covered for all of their health care needs.

We understand this is a busy time of year and that is why we are committed to helping you get into an affordable health plan as quickly as possible.  Negotiating Open Enrollment 2015 can be tricky and we don’t want you to get lost in the process.  At Jerry Ballard and Associates, we understand your time is valuable and never more than during the holidays.  We know you don’t have hours to waste being stuck on hold or being unable to speak with a live person and that’s where we come in!

The holidays are rapidly approaching, but don’t be caught off guard.  As you are marking your calendar with all sorts of important holiday plans, don’t forget… in order to receive an effective date of January 1st, your application must be completed by midnight, December 15th!  Start the New Year out right by joining BCBSNC and experience the benefits that come from being a Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Carolina member.

For more information on Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Carolina 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 experienced and professional agents.  Let us help you navigate through the Health Care Reform changes in accordance with the new regulations of The Affordable Care Act, also known as Obama care.

Annual Enrollment 2015 is rapidly approaching and Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Carolina has you covered.  Every Blue Cross Blue Shield of NC member is a valued customer and as Open Enrollment gets underway there are some things you may need to know.  First of all, if you are happy with the BCBSNC health plan you currently have, you can keep it for another year.  Your plan will automatically renew.  Keep in mind, however, that you may still have a little work to do with regards to the renewal process, depending on the type of plan in which you are currently enrolled.  In order to make this easier for you, BCBSNC has created Blue Map, a tool developed especially for members who purchase individual plans.

If you are not yet a Blue Cross Blue Shield member, but are interested in purchasing a health insurance plan, Annual Enrollment is the time to do it.  The Annual Enrollment Period (AEP) is the once-a-year window when you are able to renew, update, change, or enroll in an Affordable Care Act (ACA) plan.  If you do not do so, keep in mind that you cannot make changes or enroll a new plan once AEP ends unless you have a Qualifying Life Event that makes you eligible for the Special Enrollment Period.  The Annual Enrollment Period ends on February 15th, 2015.

Here are some important dates to keep in mind:

• Late Oct.-Early Nov:
• All BCBSNC members will receive information about your 2015 rate and any other changes to your benefits.
• Nov. 15, 2014:
• The Annual Enrollment Period begins.  This is time to make limited changes to your current plan, change to a new plan, or enroll in a BCBSNC health plan for the first time.
• Dec. 15, 2014:
• This is the deadline to make changes to your plan or enroll in a new plan in order for coverage to begin on January 1, 2015.
• Jan. 1, 2015:
• Coverage and new rates for your 2015 plan begins (provided you met the deadline of Dec. 15).
• Feb. 15, 2015:
• This is the last day you can make changes to your plan before the end of the Annual Enrollment Period.

Annual Enrollment doesn’t have to be overwhelming.  Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Carolina is here to provide not only the best coverage you can buy, but also guidance when you need it most.

For more information on Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Carolina 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 experienced and professional agents.  Let us help you navigate through the Health Care Reform changes in accordance with the new regulations of The Affordable Care Act, also known as Obama care.

With all the changes in health insurance due to the Affordable Care Act, you may be facing Open Enrollment 2015 with a sense of dread, but don’t worry!  Jerry Ballard and Associates is here to help.  We understand how difficult and confusing the process of applying for health insurance can be and it is our pleasure to help you make it through with as little stress as possible.  If you are our customer, and need assistance making changes to your existing BCBSNC health plan or you are trying to obtain new health coverage, we are more than happy to help you choose the perfect plan for you and your family.

Because of the changes brought about by the Affordable Care Act, it is more important than ever for you to have a BCBSNC Authorized Agent to assist you with your application and other insurance needs.  Negotiating the government Marketplace and trying to determine subsidy eligibility can be overwhelming to say the least.   Between effective date deadlines, trying to make payments, and understanding various plans and benefit coverages, it is easy to feel lost.  Having an agent who is knowledgeable, concerned and easy to talk to can make all the difference in the world.  Further, there is almost nothing more frustrating than being placed on hold for extended periods of time or being unable to speak to a live person when you need it most.  At Jerry Ballard and Associates, we guarantee that will not be your experience.

Insurance is what we sell, but customer service is what we do best and we are committed to giving our clients the very best of our knowledge and attention.  We value your time and understand your concerns and we are prepared to meet the challenges of Open Enrollment 2015 with your family’s needs in mind.  November 15th and the start of Open Enrollment is just around the corner and we know you have a choice when it comes to your health insurance agent.  Let us show you what makes not only a Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Carolina health plan the very best you can buy, but also what makes Jerry Ballard and Associates the agency you want in your corner.

Whether you are looking for Blue Advantage, Blue Select, Blue Value, or Dental Blue, Jerry Ballard and Associates is your agency of choice for Open Enrollment 2015.

For more information on Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Carolina 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 experienced and professional agents.  Let us help you navigate through the Health Care Reform changes in accordance with the new regulations of The Affordable Care Act, also known as Obama care.