Short Term also known as Temporary health insurance is a fast, affordable and easy solution for people who are currently without health coverage.  Short-term health insurance plans are generally less expensive than qualified health plans under the AFFORDABLE CARE ACT and do not offer the same level of coverage.  Short term health insurance plans are intended for people who do not want to enroll in major medical insurance or who need temporary form of limited coverage before they obtain major medical health insurance.  Among other limitations and exclusions, short term health insurance plans generally do not cover pre-existing conditions that exist at the time of application or the minimum essential coverage of the ACA.

Short-term health insurance plans are limited in duration and you will stop receiving benefits when the plan expires. Plan duration and whether you can renew or buy a new plan after plan expiration depend on the plan you choose and the laws in your particular state. After a short-term plan expires, you must reapply to receive further benefits. If you are accepted for an additional term under a short-term health insurance plan, the plan’s deductible and other amounts reset so that amounts paid (or the satisfaction of conditions) under the initial plan are ignored.

APPLY TODAY and coverage can begin tomorrow if you qualify to enroll in a plan. Call NC Health Plans/ Jerry Ballard & Associates today at our toll free number 888-765-5400 to talk with one of our qualified representatives.

For more information on North Carolina Health Insurance coverage, please visit our website at www.nchealthplans.com or call our toll free number 888-765-5400 or our local number 252-726-5400 and speak with one of our experienced and professional agents.

With the 2020 presidential election approaching, healthcare and health insurance are yet again popular topics of conversation.  The different opinions and visions of the health insurance landscape is often very distant from the realities we experience everyday in North Carolina.  The media attention that surrounds this dialog makes it more difficult to follow current changes to health insurance in North Carolina.  A couple recent changes have impacted the options for many North Carolinians.  Here, we will outline two recent changes and the details consumers should keep in mind now and moving forward.

3 Year Term- Short Term Plans

One such change is the implementation of 3 year policy periods on “Short Term Health Insurance Plans.”  An executive order was signed in 2018 making 3 year policy period Short Term Medical plans available, but the plans were not offered to North Carolina health insurance shoppers until recently.  The North Carolina Department of Insurance approved the these plans in the Spring of 2019.  The availability of Tri-Term Medical plans is significant in that longer policy period plans allow members to avoid the application process every 90 days.  The plans allow you to apply once for a coverage term of 3 years.  Prior to this option, enrolled members were forced to re-qualify by answering health underwriting questions each time the policy expired.  This meant the applicant would risk being denied the ability to re-enroll if unable to pass medical underwriting based on changes in medical conditions.  A 3 year policy period plan will minimize this risk since the applicant is not required to answer health eligibility questions as frequently.

The Short Term Health Insurance market has grown in North Carolina, particularly for consumers that do not qualify for a government subsidy.  The plans often provide non-subsidy shoppers a less expensive alternative to the ACA compliant plans.  The 3 year term plans will continue to strengthen the alternative options for this group of health insurance consumers.

Qualifying Life Event Tweaks

Ever since the introduction of the Affordable Care Act in 2014, consumers have needed a Qualifying Life Event to make changes to plans or apply for new plans when outside the Open Enrollment Period.  The specifics of these Qualifying Events have seemed to continuously change each year.  This year, most Qualifying Life Events now require the consumer to have also carried prior creditable coverage.  For example, a change in permanent residence address and a marriage are two qualifying events that now require the applicant to have carried prior coverage for at least one of the prior sixty days.

Additionally, existing members that are trying to make plan changes based on Qualifying Events must meet additional requirements in order to make changes to an existing plan.  These changes often come as a surprise to consumers that have experienced similar changes in the past and expected similar options to be available.

The healthcare discussion will only continue in the months ahead, but it’s important we don’t lose focus of the changes that are being implemented.  As insurance advisors, our commitment is to educating consumers and allowing them to make the best decisions within this ever changing market.  One way to do this is by understanding whether any of these market changes would affect you.

For more information on 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.

Now that Open Enrollment Period has ended, it is important to know what Health Insurance options are available to you during the Special Enrollment Period. During Special Enrollment Period, you must have experienced a Qualifying Life Event in the past 60 days in order to enroll in an ACA-Compliant plan, also referred to as “Obamacare”. If you have missed Open Enrollment for 2019 health coverage, and do not have a qualifying life event, Short Term health insurance may be a great option for you!

What is Short Term Health Insurance?

Short Term, or Temporary Health Insurance, is a type of health plan that is considered Non ACA or Non Affordable Care Act Compliant. Because the plans are not compliant with the federal guidelines that are in place under the Affordable Care Act, there is not an Open Enrollment or Special Enrollment Period for these plans. This means that you can apply for the plans any time of year. You can also apply for coverage to start as early as the next day.

If comparing Short Term plans vs. ACA compliant plans, it’s important to understand that Short Term plans exclude coverage for pre-existing conditions, which is a requirement under Obamacare.

How Long Can You be Enrolled in a Short Term Plan?

Although these plans are labeled as “Short Term”, you can now enroll in a plan for up to 360 days a year under one application. This allows beneficiaries to bridge the gap until the following year’s Open Enrollment Period.  Another benefit of Short term plans is the simple application process. It takes only minutes to complete the online application! CLICK HERE to see Short Term plans and/or get started on your application.

Is it Affordable?

Short Term health coverage was originally designed to bridge gaps in coverage. However, their attraction has grown as some individuals and families began to enroll in these plans as a more affordable alternative. People are often shocked at the cost of ACA compliant health plans in today’s market, especially those who don’t qualify for government provided premium tax credits or subsidies. When filling out a Short Term Health Insurance application, one must answer a few health questions in order to be eligible to enroll. These factors allow Short Term premiums to be significantly less expensive than ACA plans and are therefore, often utilized by individuals and families to save on monthly premiums! Generate a Short Term Quote to view the rates and plan options.

If you have missed the Open Enrollment Period, don’t have coverage, need to bridge a gap in coverage, or are simply trying to save money on your health insurance, don’t go at this alone! Give us a call to speak with one of our professional agents and see if a Short Term Health insurance plan could benefit you and your family. We look forward to hearing from you!

For more information on 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.

Whether you are enrolled in Medicare, Health Insurance, or are uninsured, there are some concepts, rules and requirements to consider outside the Annual Enrollment Periods.  Here is a list of a few basics to consider about insurance despite currently being outside the heavily publicized Open Enrollment Periods.

1. 1095 Tax Forms– As most are filing taxes this time of year, don’t forget the IRS may require you to show proof of health insurance. The 1095 tax forms serve as proof of health insurance coverage.  These 1095 forms can be provided by the Health Insurance Marketplace or by a private insurance carrier, depending on how you are enrolled.  We recommend consulting a Certified Public Accountant for more information on about the need for these forms.
2. Short Term Health Insurance– If you are currently uninsured and have not recently experienced a Qualifying Event that would allow you to enroll in a qualified health insurance plan, a short term health plan may be an option. Short term plans do not comply with the Affordable Care Act regulations which allows shoppers to enroll in these plan outside the Open Enrollment Period.  You could qualify for coverage to begin as early as the next day.
3. Medicare Supplements “Blue to Blue”– If you are an existing Blue Cross of NC Medicare Supplement member, you are currently able to make a change to your Medicare Supplement plan during the month of May to take effect on June 1^st. See rates for alternative Medicare Supplement plans here.  The capability to change plans during this time frame is through the Blue to Blue program.
4. Dental Insurance– Don’t forget your smile! Dental insurance plans can be enrolled in anytime throughout the course of the year.  These plans are not regulated like health insurance plans by separate enrollment periods.  Learn More about BCBSNC Dental Insurance
5. Qualifying Life Events– If you have experienced a Qualifying Life Event, this could allow you to make a change to your health plan or enroll in a new plan. Get a Blue Cross Quote to see whether any of the Qualifying Events apply to you.
6. Report Income Changes to the Marketplace– If you are enrolled in a health insurance plan through the Health Insurance Marketplace and you have experienced an income change, it’s important to report this change to the Marketplace. Income changes can impact health insurance plan rates and 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.

“Obamacare” is a popular term used to describe the Affordable Care Act.  As insurance advisors, one question customers frequently ask is “Do you offer anything other than Obamacare?”  Understanding this question is most important before answering it.

First, Affordable Care Act compliant plans are not only health insurance plans offered through the Health Insurance Marketplace or “Exchange.”  They are also health plans offered “Off Exchange” or directly through insurance companies, as long as they meet all requirements under the Affordable Care Act.  In North Carolina, Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Carolina offers the vast majority of the ACA compliant health plans both on and off the Exchange.  Blue Cross offers plans in all 100 counties and in 2017 was the only company offering “On Exchange” plans in 94 of the 100 North Carolina counties.  When considering alternatives to ACA compliant plans, the most common is Short Term, also known as Temporary Health Insurance.

Temporary health insurance plans are not compliant with the ACA regulations which allows customers to enroll outside the Open Enrollment Period without the requirement of a Qualifying Life Event.  In the past, these plans were created and structured to bridge gaps in coverage.  However, recently their attraction has grown and individuals and families have begun enrolling in Short Term plans for extended policy periods as an alternative to the ACA compliant options.  The ACA compliant plans lack the flexible plan structure and low premiums that are attractive aspects of Short Term health insurance.  Short Term plans exclude coverage for pre-existing conditions which is a requirement under Obamacare.  Additionally, you must answer health questions on a Short Term application in order to be eligible to enroll.  For these reasons, the plans are usually significantly less expensive than ACA compliant plans.  These factors and others drive the premium prices down and often surprise shoppers when making a price comparison.

Furthermore, the Short Term health insurance regulations are expected to change on April 1, 2017.  The policy periods will be limited to 3 months.  For applicants that enroll prior to April 1, the policy period can last until Dec. 31, 2017 with certain carriers like United HealthOne.

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.

Health Insurance is still available! If you are one of the countless Americans who missed open enrollment. There are options for you.

Short-term/Temporary health insurance is designed for healthy individuals and families, and is a low- cost, affordable option to protect yourself and/or your family from unforeseen and emergency medical costs.

Short term plans are not compliant with the Affordable Care Act (Obamacare), so they are still available year-round. If you missed open enrollment and do not have a qualifying event that allows you to purchase an ACA compliant plan, a short-term policy can be a good choice to bridge the gap until open enrollment begins again.

Short term plans are not renewable, but some companies allow you to purchase another plan once your plan has lapsed, but you are required to answer all the health questions and qualify as you did initially.

It is important to know that short term plans are not considered minimum essential coverage under the Affordable Care Act, so people with short term health insurance could be subject to the ACA’s individual mandate penalty unless they are otherwise exempt from it.

Remember, short term plans do not cover any pre-existing conditions. They are not required to cover the ACA’s essential health benefits.  Although their sale is not limited to the ACA open enrollment period, short term plans do use basic medical underwriting to determine an applicant’s eligibility for coverage.

These plans are considerably less expensive than ACA-compliant major medical plans.  And you can get coverage as early as the next day once you answer some basic health questions.

With health insurance premiums on the rise, people are looking for creative solutions to help alleviate the financial burden of health care expenses.  If you are currently uninsured, but need some relief when it comes to paying for medical expenses and prescription drugs, a Prescription Discount Card could be the solution.  The Discount Card is not traditional health insurance, but it can help you save 10-50% on qualified health care services. In addition, your Discount Card can help save you money on weight management programs, fitness centers, and other wellness-related products and services.

As a Discount Card member, you will receive discounts on all sorts of health care products and services from participating health care professionals, including retail chains and online providers.  This includes doctor visits, urgent care, specialists, physical therapy and more.  You can also save 18-20% on generic and name brand prescription drugs at leading drugstores and supermarkets, which sometimes price leading drugs below the discount rate.  With the minimum discount guarantee, however, you are guaranteed to receive the lowest price available at that drugstore or supermarket on that day (this guarantee does not apply to pharmacies), meaning you can be sure to get your prescription drugs at the most affordable price.   Your card can be used at drugstores nationwide, including Costco, K-Mart, Rite-Aid, Target, Walmart and many more.

The application process is simple and your Discount Card can be used to save on health care products and services for you, your spouse, and your dependent children.  Your Discount Card can also work in conjunction with other health plans you may have such as Critical Illness or Temporary Health.

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 temporary student 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 tend to be 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 joined the insurance bandwagon as they realize the benefits of knowing their students are covered in case of accident or illness.  Most colleges and universities now require a proof of insurance before students can begin taking classes, which can present an interesting problem.

College classes typically begin in late August or early September, but Open Enrollment for health insurance does not begin until November, with plans taking effect in January.  Unless you have a qualifying life event, you will not be able to enroll in an ACA-approved qualified health plan outside of Open Enrollment and that can leave parents and new students who are uninsured in a bind.

The good news is that many colleges and universities offer health insurance on a semester basis.  The bad news is that many university 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 short term health insurance. (more…)

Summer is one of the best times of the year!  The sun is shining, the beaches are packed and kids are out of school and off to camp. In fact, health insurance may be the last thing on your mind.  Unfortunately, being uninsured can often limit summer fun and keep your kids from being able to participate in many of the activities otherwise available to them.  For instance, most camps and sports clinics require a proof of insurance in order for your child to participate.  Often parents are unaware of this fact until the last minute and can find themselves scrambling to try and find sufficient coverage.  Because Open Enrollment will not begin until November 1st, unless you have a qualifying life event, temporary health plans are the best option to ensure your family has the coverage they need this summer. (more…)

Summer is here and 2016 is almost half over, but if you still lack health insurance, a short term plan could be the solution.  Temporary health plans are a viable option for people who are experiencing gaps in coverage due to a job change, a move or other life circumstances.  They are also great for individuals who may be exempt from the individual mandate (tax penalty) to buy health insurance or those who may just choose to buy health insurance outside of Open Enrollment.

There are many benefits to a short term health plan.  For instance, most temporary insurance plans are less expensive than regular health insurance plans.  In fact, they are a low-cost solution that could protect your financial security should you be faced with an unexpected illness or injury.  You can also be approved for short term plans as soon as the very next day and coverage can be in place anywhere from 1 month to 11 months, whatever your circumstances require.  Temporary health insurance is a great way to fill gaps during times of transition or change. (more…)

Summertime is here and college students are heading home for a much needed break, but what about health insurance?  Although many colleges and universities offer student health insurance plans, most of those plans are only good for the school year, leaving students with a three month gap in coverage.  Because of the rules of the Affordable Care Act, these students cannot simply apply for another health plan outside of Open Enrollment, so what is available to them?  The answer is temporary health insurance.

A temporary health plan can fill gaps in coverage and also offers students the ability to enroll in health insurance when they need it.  In fact, these plans can be in effect as soon as the very next day and are typically very affordable. In addition, you can select temporary coverage anywhere from 1 to 11 months and you can choose to make one lump sum payment or pay monthly, whichever works best.  Short term plans ensure that students have the coverage they need over summer months when they are working part-time jobs that usually don’t provide health insurance and when students are more active than ever. (more…)

Temporary health insurance is becoming increasingly popular in the ACA market.  Due to rising health insurance premiums and stricter guidelines on enrollment periods, many people are turning to short term insurance as a long-term solution.  Because short term health plans are not subject to the laws of the ACA, they are less-expensive and can be purchased outside of Open Enrollment.  For individuals and families who have either missed Open Enrollment or who simply cannot afford an ACA-approved Qualified Health Plan, short term coverage is a viable option. (more…)