Are you ready for Health Care Reform?  Click the link below for a simple to understand presentation that may prepare you for 2014.  Our office is ready to assist you with purchasing new coverage and guiding you through the application process this fall.  Do you qualify for a subsidy?  Have you or any of your family or friends been denied coverage for health reasons?  Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Carolina will be in the exchanges well as outside of the change.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o84Xz3_BQjc&feature=youtu.be

For more information on 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 professional agents. Our agency provides coverage for health insurance in North Carolina through Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Carolina (BCBSNC). You may qualify for a 15% healthy lifestyle discount if you are in excellent health. Call us for details.

Other types of lower-cost health plans

If you feel you’re not ready for the type of high-deductible plan, you have other options. There are other types of plans that have lower premiums and higher deductibles that allow you to make certain decisions about what benefits you really need. If there are some coverage benefits you may not need, such as brand-name prescriptions, you can choose a plan without that benefit. Some plans also offer limited doctor visits and others even come with traditional copayments for primary care visits, if you’re more comfortable with a traditional plan design.

How we can help

Now that you understand more about how high-deductible health plans work, and how they compare to traditional health plans, you may feel more confident about choosing a specific health plan. Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina offers high-deductible health plan options that can fit your health care needs and your budget. Your agent can explain your options and help you choose the plan that fits you best.

The local company you can trust

When you choose Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina, you have peace of mind knowing you’re with a local company trusted by the people of North Carolina for more than 77 years. As the most preferred health care insurer in the state, we’ve also earned the trust of more North Carolinians than any other health care insurer.

For more information on 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 professional agents. Our agency provides coverage for health insurance in North Carolina through Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Carolina (BCBSNC). You may qualify for a 15% healthy lifestyle discount if you are in excellent health. Call us for details.

Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Carolina Blue Options HSA is a plan that gives you more control over your health care dollars.

Saves more money with low monthly premiums
Enjoy tax savings with a health savings account
HSA funds can be used tax-free to pay for eligible medical expenses
Combine a high-deductible health plan (HDHP) with a health savings account (HSA) and you can potentially reduce your monthly premium significantly and save money
Coverage for preventive care and catastrophes
The money you contribute to your HSA is tax-deductible
When you need to pay for medical services, you can pay for them with your HSA funds.
Your HSA rolls over from year to year. That means you keep what you put into it. It’s your HSA – it’s your money.

Get your free rate quote today through BCBSNC

For more information on 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 professional agents. Our agency provides coverage for health insurance in North Carolina through Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Carolina (BCBSNC). You may qualify for a 15% healthy lifestyle discount if you are in excellent health. Call us for details.

As we begin to look towards health care reform, it will be important for you to decide whether to keep your grandfathered Blue Cross Blue Shield plan or to switch to a new Non Grandfathered plan.

You have flexibility. If you like your current plan, you ca stay with it.   For may people, this will be the best course of action because it may be the least expensive option.

You may qualify for a premium tax credit that can be applied to health insurance premiums; however, premium tax credits cannot be applied to your current grandfathered plan.  It may still be in your best interest financially to stay with your grandfathered plan.

Before moving forward, you should take the time to evaluate both the benefits of staying with your current grandfathered plan and the benefits of 2014 BCBSNC health care reform compliant plans.

The choice is yours. Remember, avoid the penalty and keep a plan.  It is important to note: once you leave a grandfathered plan, you cannot go back to it.  If you have questions, we’re here to help.

For more information on 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 professional agents. Our agency provides coverage for health insurance in North Carolina through Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Carolina (BCBSNC). You may qualify for a 15% healthy lifestyle discount if you are in excellent health. Call us for details.

The information in this article was taken from “Health Care Reform is Coming” from BCBSNC on April 2013.

Health care reform is on many of our minds.  After all, the Affordable Care Act (ACA), will be in full swing by January 2014. But many people
still have questions about what the ACA is and how it will affect them.

We’re going to walk you through the ACA and help you understand how  it could affect your premiums, your health insurance coverage and costs.
And we’ll discuss your options for finding a plan that’s right for you or your small business.  Health care reform is on many of our minds.

Watch our informative Video and learn more about the Affordable Care Act and how it will impact you, your family and your business.  Our agency will help you make a plan selection through Blue Cross Blue Shield of NC or Blue Cross products through the exchange.  Keep in mind, if you qualify for a subsidy, you will need to select a plan offered by BCBSNC through the exchange and we will be here to guide you through that process.

For more information on 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 professional agents. Our agency provides coverage for health insurance in North Carolina through Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Carolina (BCBSNC). You may qualify for a 15% healthy lifestyle discount if you are in excellent health. Call us for details.

Health insurance can seem a bit overwhelming, so we thought a few terms defined might be helpful as you consider your current policy or look to purchase a new one!

Coinsurance is the percentage of covered medical expenses that you pay after you’ve met your deductible. Coinsurance is usually listed as a percentage. For example, if your plan lists coinsurance at 20% of covered medical expenses after you’ve met your deductible, then the plan pays 80% of covered services, and you pay 20% until you reach your coinsurance maximum.Coinsurance maximum The coinsurance maximum is the total amount of coinsurance that you’re required to pay for covered medical services in a plan year. Once you reach the coinsurance maximum, your plan usually covers 100% of all covered services for the remainder of the benefit period. Under a traditional health plan, you would continue to pay any copayments for covered services, such as office visits or prescription drugs. Under a high-deductible health plan, your covered medical services would be paid 100%.

Out-of-pocket maximum

Your out-of-pocket maximum is the maximum amount you would be required to pay in a plan year for covered medical expenses. With a high-deductible health plan, this amount is usually the total of your deductible plus your coinsurance maximum. Knowing the definitions of some common terms associated with health insurance may help you make better decisions about choosing a plan that’s right for you.

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Health care reform will be different for everyone, so it’s important to know your options.  We’re here to help.

One of the first things you will need to do is determine if you have a grandfathered plan (which refers to health insurance plans that were in effect prior to March 23, 2010.  If you are not sure, we will be able to find that information for you.

If you DO NOT have a grandfathered plan:

We will automatically move you to a 2014 BCBSNC health care reform compliant plan that most closely matches your current plan.  Your new plan will look a lot like what you have today.  You always have the option to change this plan during the annual open enrollment period. You will want to determine if you are eligible for a premium tax credit.  If you are, this can be applied to your new plan to lower your monthly premiums.

Remember, avoid the penalty and keep a plan!

For more information on 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 professional agents. Our agency provides coverage for health insurance in North Carolina through Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Carolina (BCBSNC). You may qualify for a 15% healthy lifestyle discount if you are in excellent health. Call us for details.

The information in this article was taken from “Health Care Reform is Coming” from BCBSNC on April 2013.

Another benefit of having a high-deductible health plan is that it makes you eligible for a health savings account (HSA) that enables you to pay for qualified medical expenses tax free.

The funds you contribute to your HSA, up to the annual contribution limit, are not taxed. That means you can save up to $300 on taxes for every $1,000 you contribute. When you use your HSA funds to pay for qualified medical expenses, such as office visits, prescriptions, lab tests, hospital stays, medical procedures and much more, the withdrawals are also not taxed. For a list of qualified medical expenses visit www.irs.gov and reference Publication 502.

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We want to make you aware of the Healthy Outcomes program offered by Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina to our currently enrolled customers. You can earn a $50 gift card by spending only 15 minutes of your time completing a health assessment. Simply log in or register at www.mybcbsnc.com and click on the “Wellness” tab. From there you can continue earning rewards, including up to a $125 premium credit on your December 2013 bill. The amount of premium credit you can earn is based on the number of years you have been enrolled.

This convenient online program is available to all current BCBS members and provides valuable educational health information. The Healthy Outcomes Program will end on September 30th so act today and start earning your premium credit and $50 gift card!

For more information on 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 professional agents. Our agency provides coverage for health insurance in North Carolina through Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Carolina (BCBSNC). You may qualify for a 15% healthy lifestyle discount if you are in excellent health. Call us for details.

Health care reform mandates that all new 2014 compliant plans include 10 Essential Health Benefits.

Have a look. Some of these benefits already existed, so new or expanded benefits are listed in bold:

• Ambulatory patient services
• Emergency Services
• Hospitalization
• Maternity and newborn care now automatically covered
  
• Increased benefits for mental health and substance use disorder services including behavioral health treatment
• Prescription drugs
• Rehabilitative and habilitative services and devices
• Laboratory services
• Preventive and wellness services and chronic disease management
• Pediatric services, including oral and vision care

For more information on 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 professional agents. Our agency provides coverage for health insurance in North Carolina through Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Carolina (BCBSNC). You may qualify for a 15% healthy lifestyle discount if you are in excellent health. Call us for details.

The information in this article was taken from “Health Care Reform is Coming” from BCBSNC on April 2013.

Trust that Jerry Ballard & Associates will provide you with the tools and resources that will navigate you through the Health Care Reform process!

Blue Map: This is an interactive, easy-to-use web application designed to provide you with a personalized recommendation explaining the options you in choosing a plan.  BCBSNC will be sending you information on how to use Blue Map, so look for it in the mail.  In addition, we will provide support and assistance to you via our website and by calling our office.

Events will be held throughout North Carolina to explain the nuances of health care reform and provide an opportunity for attendees to ask questions. BCBSNC will let you know when we’re coming to a town near you.

A variety of BCBSNC plan options should make finding the right solution easy for each and every member.

The BCBSNC health care reform website has content that clarifies health care reform as well. As your agent, we are ready to assist you.

For more information on 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 professional agents. Our agency provides coverage for health insurance in North Carolina through Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Carolina (BCBSNC). You may qualify for a 15% healthy lifestyle discount if you are in excellent health. Call us for details.

The information in this article was taken from “Health Care Reform is Coming” from BCBSNC on April 2013.