A recent and interesting study has proven that early detection of diabetes and the number of insured Americans have a direct link and that link is access to affordable health care.  Dr. Vivian Fonseca, a professor of medicine and endocrinology at Tulane University in New Orleans says the following:  “We’ve known for a long, long time that a lot of people with Type II diabetes go unrecognized for many years because they don’t get screened.”  According to Fonseca, this is particularly frustrating because many of those who do not get screened don’t do so because they don’t have health insurance.

The Chief Medical Officer for the American Diabetes Association, Dr. Robert Ratner, says that early diagnosis and treatment are particularly crucial with diabetes.  If the disease is left untreated, it can lead to blindness, heart attack, kidney failure and other complications that can require the amputation of the foot or leg.  According to Dr. Ratner, “early and aggressive therapy of diabetes has a major impact on long-term complications and on quality of life.”

Interestingly enough, North Carolina is a part of what medical professionals call the “diabetes belt,” a region stretching from Louisiana to North Carolina.  North Carolina is also among the top ten states having the greatest amount of uninsured residents, meaning many of those residents are likely not being properly screened for early detection of diabetes.

Many Americans show tell-tale signs of diabetes, such as exhaustion and constant thirst.  Despite the signs, however, many of those who do not have health coverage simply choose to cope with the symptoms for fear of running up huge medical expenses.  Early intervention, however, can not only reduce health risks associated with diabetes, but also reduce long-term costs, which account for a large percentage of overall health spending.

Although there is a cost to having health insurance, ultimately there is a greater cost to being uninsured.  Diabetes is only one of many treatable diseases that can be managed, controlled and even cured through early detection and proper treatment.  If you are one of the many residents of North Carolina who still need to obtain health insurance, don’t wait.  Blue Cross Blue Shield of NC is committed to providing quality health coverage that works with your family’s budget.  Whether you enroll in Blue Advantage, Blue Value or Blue Local, having a health insurance plan that covers your costs when you need it is well worth the investment.

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.

One of the nicest parts about spring is that the sun is shining brighter and more often than during the long months of winter.  Children are heading to school without jackets wearing short sleeves, pets are spending afternoons lounging in the yard, and restaurants are offering outside patio dining once again.  Let’s face it, human beings (and our furry friends) simply love the sun!

And believe it or not, the sun is good for us, providing our bodies with essential vitamins and nutrients that help us function better.  Despite the negative press the sun has received in recent years, sunlight has many benefits.  For one, sunlight increases the oxygen content in human blood, enhancing the body’s capacity to deliver oxygen to tissues efficiently.  Sun exposure has also been known to help cure depression and related conditions, such as Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD), that come from sunlight deprivation.  In addition, the sun provides our bodies with Vitamin D, a vitamin known to increase bone health and even reduce the risk of certain cancers!

Even with all the good the sun does our bodies, however, there can be no denying that overexposure to the sun’s rays can be hard on the skin.  Known to increase the signs of aging and also for causing certain kinds of skin cancer, the sun is a pleasure we need to partake of wisely.  Luckily, research has shown that most skin cancer can be prevented.  Avoiding midday sun (from 10 in the morning to 4 in the afternoon) is one way to limit skin’s exposure to the strongest sunlight, without completely eliminating sun from your schedule.  Also, if you know you are going to be out in the harshest part of the midday sun, wear protective clothing such as a hat with a wide brim, sunglasses with UV ray protection and loose-fitting clothing that covers arms and legs.

Younger children, especially, need to be sure their skin is protected from the sun.  Some research suggests that most of the damage done to our skin happens before the age of 20 so it’s important to start young.  Babies under 6 months should rarely be in the direct sunlight and never during midday rays.  Also, babies and children should use a sunscreen with an SPF factor of 30 or above to make sure their very sensitive skin is protected.  Lip balm with an SPF of 30 or above is also a great way to protect your lips from getting sunburned or developing cold sores.

Remember that the best plan is to never allow your skin to become burned by the sun’s rays, but if you do happen to get a sunburn, keep in mind that skin healing from a sunburn is sensitive to more damage from the sun so be especially cautious to care for already overexposed skin.  Tanning beds are also never a good idea.  Artificial tanning devices can cause skin damage and increase the risk of skin cancer without providing any of the benefits we receive from natural sunlight.

The sun is shining and we are the first to admit we love it!  A good plan of action is to maintain a balanced approach to sun exposure, enjoying the benefits of being in the great outdoors without letting your skin be overexposed.  As Benjamin Franklin said, “An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure,” and Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Carolina believes strongly in the benefits of preventive care maintenance.  Your skin is your body’s largest organ so make a plan to protect it while soaking in the sunlight!

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 rising cost of health insurance, Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Carolina understands the importance of offering customers payment options.  In the past BCBSNC has allowed members to make initial payments and one-time monthly payments online using a major credit card, such as MasterCard and Visa.  They have also allowed customers to pay their monthly premium using automatic bank draft through either a checking or savings account and Blue Cross Blue Shield NC will still allow members to use any of these convenient payment options.  In addition, however, BCBSNC has added a recurring credit card payment option online for individual members who purchase a health or dental plan either on or off the Marketplace.  What this means is that you now have the ability to set your premium payments up on automatic draft right from your credit card.

Paying online has never been easier.  Members simply register online with Blue Connect using the Member ID or Subscriber number located on your health card and manage your payments right from your home computer.  Members paying online for their health coverage may choose to pay by bank draft, having premiums automatically deducted from a bank account on a recurring basis or by credit card, making a one-time initial payment OR having premiums automatically charged to a credit card on a recurring basis.  This allows members the freedom to choose the best and most effective payment method for paying monthly health premiums.

In addition to Visa and MasterCard, Blue Cross Blue Shield of NC also now accepts Discover cards, giving members even more payment options, and if a member needs to update the credit card currently on file, they may do so through member services using Blue Connect.  Don’t forget that if you have purchased more than one policy, such as health and dental, you will be billed separately for each.  Discover the benefits of being a Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Carolina member today!

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.

Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Carolina is committed to preventive care maintenance and women’s health.  This may come as a surprise, but recent studies have shown that heart disease, not breast or cervical cancer, is the No. 1 killer of women. And although a heart attack strikes someone about every 34 seconds, many women often miss the signs, thinking they are due to less life-threatening problems like acid reflux, the flu or menopause.  A heart attack occurs when the blood flow that brings oxygen to the heart muscle is severely reduced or cut off.  This happens for multiple reasons, but primarily because the arteries that supply the heart with blood have narrowed from a buildup of fat, cholesterol and plaque. Sometimes women think the signs of a heart attack are unmistakable – severe chest pain and shooting pain in the left arm – but oftentimes the signs are much more subtle.

Some women having a heart attack say they experience upper back pain or pressure that feels as if they are in a vise grip.  Dizziness, lightheadedness or even fainting can also be signs of heart attack.

Listed below are five common heart attack symptoms in women:

Chest pain or pressure:  Chest pain is the most common symptom of heart attack, but women often experience it differently than men.  Many women report they felt more of a squeezing sensation or fullness and the pain was not limited to the left side of the chest.

Shortness of breath, nausea, or lightheadedness:  Trouble breathing means just that – trouble.  If you are having difficulty breathing and there is no good reason for it, you could be having a heart attack.  Shortness of breath, in combination with any of these other symptoms, should not be ignored.

Pain in the arm, back, neck or jaw:  This type of pain is more common in women experiencing heart attack than in men.  Sometimes women confuse this pain because they are expecting the pain to be centralized in the chest, not in the back or jaw.  The pain can come on very suddenly or gradually and it can come and go before it becomes intense.

Stomach pain:  Women often mistake stomach pain associated with heart attack for heartburn, the flu, an ulcer, or even indigestion.  Sometimes the pain in the stomach is more like an intense abdominal pressure, but either way, this is one of those subtle symptoms of which women need to be aware.

Fatigue:  One of the most commonly overlooked symptoms of heart attack is fatigue.  Some women experiencing a heart attack feel exhaustion, even when they have been still or restful.  If you find yourself feeling overly fatigued without having expended any energy, this may be a sign of heart attack.

The main thing to remember is that heart attacks are serious and heart attacks in women are a growing concern among medical professionals.  Some doctors suggest that because women tend to be caretakers and are often tired and worn down, they may fail to take these symptoms seriously and seek the professional help they need.  The good news is that heart disease is preventable.  Make sure you see your healthcare provider regularly and ask to have your risk for heart attack assessed.  Also, if you smoke, it’s time to quit.  Studies suggest that one year after quitting smoking, you can cut your risk of heart disease by a substantial percentage.  Exercise, eat right, and get plenty of rest and most importantly, don’t ignore the signs and symptoms of heart attack.

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.

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.

Perhaps you are among the many Americans who received a federal subsidy to help reduce the cost of your Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Carolina health insurance in 2014.  If so, there are some things you may need to know.  Although as insurance agents we don’t have all the answers, we can offer some helpful information as you enter into tax season.  For more specific details about how your subsidy will affect your personal taxes for 2014, we recommend speaking with your tax adviser or the federal Marketplace.

What we can tell those of you who received a federal subsidy for health insurance is that the Obama administration stated earlier this month that it will begin sending out tax reporting forms that you will need in order to fill out your 2014 tax return.  These forms are specifically for individuals who got tax credits under the Affordable Care Act.  This form is important, so make sure you are looking for it in the mail and take it with you when you file taxes.  The form is called 1095-A and according to the administration, the form comes filled out with all the pertinent information from the federal healthcare Marketplace.   The form lists the members of each household that received a subsidy and how much the government paid each month toward the health insurance premium.

Secretary Sylvia M. Burwell said in a statement, “In the coming weeks, HHS will work with other agencies, tax preparers and community organizations to arm… consumers with the information they need to know as they prepare to file their taxes.”

As most people getting a federal subsidy already know, the amount of tax credit you receive is based on a formula that takes into account your income and the number of people you claim on your tax form.  According to the IRS, those individuals who received too much of a subsidy will see a reduction in their tax refund and those who received less of a subsidy than they were entitled to will receive a refund.

Some important things to keep in mind:

• If you normally file Form 1040EZ, you can no longer do that if you received subsidized health care.  You will have to file a longer form
• If you were only in the healthcare Marketplace exchange for a few month, vice the whole year, you will still need your 1095-A to account for any subsidy you received.
• You could get more than one 1095-A, which could happen for various reasons.  You will need to keep all of them for filing taxes.
• Contact the healthcare Marketplace if you think there is a mistake on your 1095-A.

If you did not receive a subsidy for 2014, but are interested in seeing whether or not you may qualify for a premium tax credit toward your BCBSNC health plan for 2015, you may generate a quote and enter income information to help estimate your potential subsidy.

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.

As a consumer, shopping around to determine the cost of a particular medical procedure or surgery has not been a simple task – until now.  In early January, Blue Cross Blue Shield of NC introduced a new public search tool – The Treatment Cost Estimator. This new search tool allows consumers to compare the cost of more than 1,200 medical procedures by simply typing the name of the procedure into a search box. BCBSNC has taken the data they have accumulated from paying thousands of health care claims each day and made that data available to the general public allowing consumers to become more informed and make more educated decisions about their medical care.

Now consumers can easily search to determine how much a surgery or procedure might cost them. They will also have the ability to compare the costs among medical facilities and doctors in their area. The search tool is not only available to members of BCBSNC, but to the general public as well. Anyone can access the search tool on the BCBSNC website.   It also enables consumers to compare the cost of common health care procedures at hospitals and other health care providers based on BCBSNC’s broad-network Blue Advantage plan and its narrow-network Blue Value plan. The Treatment Cost Estimator is so innovative it even caught the attention of Forbes Magazine. Forbes’ contributor Dan Munro writes, “Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina is among the first (if not the first – certainly as a major) to offer these closely guarded, negotiated rates to the general public.”

The Treatment Cost Estimator is another example of Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Carolina’s strong presence in the health care industry and their commitment to providing consumers with the tools necessary to make informed decisions about their medical care and coverage. Unexpected medical costs can create a huge burden on a person or family and having the ability to shop prices among facilities and doctors can help consumers lessen that burden.

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

*Information provided by BCBS of North Carolina and BCBSNC Blog post dated January 7, 2015

Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Carolina understands that insurance can be complicated and one of the biggest questions consumers have is:  What is the Difference Between an HMO and a PPO?  It’s a good question and the answer can have significant impact on your health care coverage.

A Health Maintenance Organization (HMO) is a type of health insurance that contracts with health care professionals and facilities to create a “provider network.”  In our opinion, HMO insurance is among the least flexible types of health insurance plans and when you sign up for one of these plans, you must choose a primary care provider (PCP). If your current physician is not in the plan, you will have to find another doctor, or pay to see your current physician.  With the exception of emergency care, which is always covered following Affordable Care Act reform, HMOs only cover visits to in-network providers, facilities, and pharmacies. This means that an HMO subscriber who visits an out-of-network provider will have to pay for any and all health care services out of pocket, as if he or she were completely uninsured. Usually HMOs manage care by assigning patients to a particular primary care physician who then further refers them to other specialists within the HMO, as needed.

Typically, HMOs will not pay for non-emergency care if it is performed by an out-of-network physician or facility, meaning if you go out of network you could be without coverage.  You will also need a referral from your Primary Care Physician to see a specialist.  Before you choose an HMO, you should understand your options for seeing providers outside the HMO’s preferred network and investigate the benefits and networks offered through these plans prior to purchase.

PPOs, on the other hand, are less restrictive than HMOs and will cover visits to both in-network and out-of-network providers, though they prefer for subscribers to receive their care from within the network. A preferred provider organization (PPO) also enters into contractual agreements with health care providers and creates a “provider network,” but unlike HMOs, PPO health insurance will cover out of network cost of care administered by out-of-network providers though you may pay more out of pocket. Care received from out-of-network providers is likely to be covered less than care received from in-network healthcare providers and copays and coinsurance costs are likely to be higher.  Nonetheless, PPOs will offer some assistance even if you do happen to go out of network and some coverage is always better than none.  Also, Preferred Provider Organization (PPO) plans also do not require a referral for you to see a specialist; you always have a network to visit.

Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Carolina offers coverage both in and out of network and a referral is not necessary.  In fact, BCBSNC has reciprocal agreements with every state in the United States, meaning that when you travel out of state you will still have provider networks available to you.  If you travel out of the country, you have the confidence of knowing that Blue Cross Blue Shield of NC has provider networks in over 200 countries outside of the United States.

In the U.S., health insurers tend to have networks of healthcare providers with whom they have special contracts. Insurers agree to encourage subscribers to see certain providers in return for a discount. The negotiated rates between insurers and healthcare providers are significantly lower than the list price that providers bill to uninsured patients. If a patient visits a doctor or hospital that her health plan has made a deal with, she is visiting a provider who is “in-network.” If a patient visits a provider who is not recognized by her health plan, she is “out-of-network.” In most cases, visiting an in-network provider will be easier and cheaper than visiting one who is out of the network.

Today, one of the biggest differences between HMOS and PPOs lies in how much patients are deterred from visiting out-of-network providers, but this difference can significantly affect not only your healthcare, but also your wallet. When choosing a health plan either on or off the federal Marketplace, make sure you know what you are purchasing and what kind of in-network and out-of-network coverage you will be offered.

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 all the talk surrounding the Affordable Care Act and government subsidies, it’s easy to think that a subsidized health plan through the federal Marketplace is the only kind available to you; however, that is not the case.  ACA approved unsubsidized health plans are still available to all consumers and there is no need to visit the Marketplace to apply.  In fact, every Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Carolina health plan is ACA compliant, meaning they cover the 10 essential benefits required under the Affordable Care Act and you are able to purchase the plans either with or without a federal subsidy.  Federal subsidies are based entirely on income, and though many Americans do qualify for a tax credit to offset the costs of their monthly health insurance premiums, many other Americans do not.  Initially this may seem like bad news, but it is not entirely without benefit.

If you currently do not qualify for a federal tax credit based on your income, although your monthly premiums may be higher, the application process itself will be much simpler.  In fact, you can get an unsubsidized ACA approved BCBSNC health plan in only a few short minutes.  With the exception of tobacco use, you will not have to answer any questions about your health and no income or tax information will be required.  Furthermore, your health coverage will in no way impact your federal income tax, other than the fact that maintaining a health insurance policy will save you from incurring a tax penalty.  Fluctuations in income will not need to be reported to the federal government because your health insurance premium is not being subsidized.

Another important fact to remember is that being eligible for a subsidy and being eligible for coverage are two different things.  Just because you may not qualify for a subsidy does not mean you are ineligible for insurance.  For example, your child might qualify for Medicaid and thus be unable to receive a federal subsidy; however, you can still purchase an ACA approved unsubsidized BCBSNC health plan for that child.

The main thing to keep in mind is that insurance plans and federal subsidies are two separate things and sometimes bypassing the Marketplace altogether is the smarter choice depending on your circumstance.  Either way, Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Carolina can offer you coverage unlike any other.  With the largest and most extensive network in North Carolina, BCBSNC is the best choice for you and your family – either on or off the Marketplace.

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.

Perhaps like so many Americans, you still have questions about the Affordable Care Act and what constitutes an ACA approved health plan.  One common misconception is that the federal government has created its own individual health policies, sometimes referred to as Obamacare plans, but that is not the purpose of the Affordable Care Act.  The Affordable Care Act is a federal program designed to ensure that 10 essential health benefits are a part of every ACA approved insurance plan and to help subsidize the cost of health insurance for those who qualify.  Subsidy qualifications are based entirely on income and the number of people per household and insurance companies do not regulate or control federal subsidies.

Basically, what this means is that consumers can still purchase ACA approved plans, or plans that include the 10 essential health benefits, and they can do so without ever visiting the federal government’s health care Marketplace.  In fact, if you do not qualify for a federal subsidy based on your income level, the application process is really quite simple.  You can apply for an ACA approved BCBSNC health plan in just a few short minutes.

If you do qualify for a federal subsidy based on income level, you will still begin the application process right here, but you will be redirected to the federal Marketplace when it comes time to apply for the subsidy that will be credited to your BCBSNC plan.  Once you have completed your application for subsidy, you may see plans available to you other than Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Carolina because there are multiple companies with insurance plans available on the Marketplace; however, none can offer you and your family the same quality of coverage.

Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Carolina understands that as consumers you have choices, which is why BCBSNC is committed to offering plans that boast the broadest network of providers throughout the state of North Carolina.  In fact, when you become a part of the Blue Advantage Network, you gain affordable access to over 90% of doctors and hospitals in the state.  Even the more limited Blue Value and Blue Local Networks allow you  many exceptional choices when it comes to your healthcare provider. Keep in mind, BCBSNC is the only insurance company that offers plans that are accepted in all 100 counties in North Carolina and because unlike other companies offering plans on the Marketplace BCBSNC is not an HMO, you will still have out of network coverage should you happen to need it.

Furthermore, Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Carolina is so committed to your health and wellness that included in every plan is preventive care covered at 100%.  And if you have a plan that includes co-payments, whatever is coded as part of that doctor’s visit on that particular day will be covered by the appropriate co-payment.  That means you have the confidence of knowing there are are no hidden costs.  Make sure to view your plan’s summary of benefits and coverages for a complete list of covered health services.

Purchasing insurance may be a bit more complicated these days, but with BCBSNC you can still have the assurance of knowing you are getting the best health coverage available to you and the ones you love.

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.