When shopping the health insurance market, you will discover many terms used to describe health insurance plans. As you read about options with Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Carolina, one of the most important terms to understand is that used to describe the network. The “Network” refers to the group of doctors and medical facilities which accept your plan. Knowing and understanding your network helps predict what to expect when utilizing your health plan throughout the year. As you learn about network options through Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Carolina, you will be able to better determine what plan is best for you and your family. Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Carolina names each plan after the associated network.

Blue Advantage and Blue Select

Blue Advantage and Blue Select are the names used to describe the largest network of doctors and hospitals available under Blue Cross NC plans. The Blue Advantage network is the broadest network, with over 95% of doctors and hospitals in North Carolina. Like Blue Advantage plans, Blue Select plans are also a broad network plan. However, the Blue Select network is broken down into two tiers. Blue Select policy holders will find that a bit more management is required when determining a facilities tier. For example, one may have different copayments for specialist visits depending on if they visit a Tier 1 or Tier 2 provider.

Blue Value

The Blue Value network option is a more limited network than Blue Advantage or Blue Select. However, enrolling in a Blue Value plan can help you save money. Where these plans lack in flexibility to see a broad network of doctors and facilities, you will find that Blue Value options offer lower monthly premiums. If your zip code falls  within the Triangle region of North Carolina, you will find the Blue Value plans are with UNC Health Alliance. Doing your research and checking to see if your doctor is in-network is necessary when enrolling in a Blue Value plan. If you are planning on visiting a specific doctor, specialist, or medical facility, it is a good idea to call the provider to confirm the network.

Blue Local

Blue Local with Atrium Health is the most limited of the four BCBSNC networks. This network with Atrium Health (also known as Carolinas HealthCare System) is available to Charlotte-area residents, including Anson, Cabarrus, Cleveland, Gaston, Lincoln, Mecklenburg, Rowan, Stanley, and Union County. Like the Blue Value network, enrolling in a Blue Local plan will be a less expensive plan option, but have a more restrictive network. If you were to visit a doctor or facility outside of Atrium Health, then you would pay out-of-network rates.

Understanding these four network options will give you a great advantage when navigating available health insurance plans. A little research could potentially translate to savings on monthly premiums and the cost of care. CLICK HERE to generate a custom quote and discover what BCBSNC network options are available to you.

As Health Insurance Open Enrollment Period approaches on November 1st, it is important to be aware of any changes to your current plan. Blue Cross Blue Shield of NC has announced that they will no longer be offering the Blue Local with Duke Health and WakeMed plan starting January 1^st, 2019. If you are currently enrolled in this plan, you will be mapped to either Blue Value with UNC Health Alliance or Blue Advantage depending on where you live. At NC Health Plans, we understand a change in your plan can be overwhelming and frustrating. However, we are here to help you navigate these changes for the upcoming year. If you are living in the Raleigh/Durham or Henderson regions and are currently on the Blue Local with Duke Health and WakeMed health plan, read below to learn more about your plan changes for 2019.

Raleigh/Durham Region

If you live in the Raleigh and Durham region, your new plan will automatically change to Blue Value with UNC Health Alliance in 2019. The most significant difference between your current plan and 2019 health plans will be the provider network. Duke Health and WakeMed are not in network with Blue Value with UNC Health Alliance. Therefore, if you visit a Duke or WakeMed doctor starting January 1^st, you will pay out-of-network rates. However, UNC Health Alliance is partnered with top-rate physicians, practices and hospitals across 700 locations.

Henderson Region

Individuals living in Granville and Vance counties who are currently on Blue Local with Duke Health and WakeMed will be mapped to the Blue Advantage plan for 2019. The BCBSNC Blue Advantage Plan has the widest network of doctors and specialists. This includes Duke Health and WakeMed. With this new plan, you will have more in-network options to choose from.

What’s next?

Open Enrollment for Health Insurance will begin on November 1^st and last through December 15, 2018. This is the time of year where you are able to make any changes to your current health insurance plan. If you would like to learn more about your BCBSNC Health Plan options, CLICK HERE to generate your custom health insurance quote. We would be happy to discuss your quote with 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.

The Annual Open Enrollment period for NC Health Insurance is in full swing, but keep in mind if you want your new 2017 health insurance plan to be effective January 1st, you must submit your application by midnight, December 15th!  That means you have one more week to apply in order to secure coverage that begins January 1st.  Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Carolina is offering Affordable Care Act plans both on and off the federal Marketplace in all 100 counties of North Carolina and the application process has never been easier.

You can get a quote, apply for a federal subsidy and enroll a 2017 BCBNSC health insurance plan in a matter of minutes by visiting our website at www.nchealthplans.com or by calling 888-765-5400.  You can do your application online or over the phone with one of our authorized representatives and have the peace of mind that comes from knowing you and your family are covered.

Don’t miss this important deadline!  Apply and enroll your 2017 coverage by midnight, December 15th.  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.

The terms “in -network” and “out-of-network” are terms you may have heard in relation to health insurance, but understanding the implications of these terms is of utmost importance as you select, enroll and manage your Blue Cross Blue Shield of NC health plan.  In fact, understanding your network and how it works can have a big impact on the cost of your health care and a little research can save you a lot of money.

The first thing to understand is that Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Carolina is not an HMO, meaning you are not required to stay within your network in order to have coverage.  This is good news in that it allows you more freedom and flexibility, as well as covering you in case you have an out-of-network provider you either prefer to use or must use for your medical needs.  The benefit of both in-network and out-of-network coverage is not something every health insurance company offers, which is one of the reasons BCBSNC is a recognized leader among health insurance providers and the only company with a presence in all 100 counties within the state of North Carolina.

That being said, it is still in your best financial interest to stay in-network. In fact, the difference between “in-network” coverage and “out-of-network” coverage can sometimes be the difference between a small co-payment and having an office visit that is subject to your medical deductible.  That is why understanding your network is so important.

Basically, BCBSNC has four different networks available:  Blue Advantage, Blue Select, Blue Value and Blue Local.  The broadest of these networks is the Blue Advantage and over 95% of doctors and hospitals in the state are a part of the Advantage network.  If you can afford it, this is always the network we would recommend as it offers you the most amount of choices when it comes to in-network providers.  Blue Select is a tiered network and though also a broad network, it will require a little more management in that some of the providers are Tier 1 providers and some are Tier 2 providers and there is a difference in the cost of these two tiers.  If you choose to go with a Blue Select plan, just keep in mind that you will need to research the tiers and providers therein prior to selecting a doctor or hospital.

Blue Value is a more limited network than either Blue Advantage or Blue Select.  In fact, the Blue Value network is not even offered in some areas simply because there are not enough participating providers to warrant that option.  However, in some instances and if your doctors and hospitals are a part of this network, choosing a Blue Value plan can be a smart way to save money as the monthly premiums are lower.  Keep in mind, however, that this is where doing your research becomes necessary.  If you have a particular doctor or specialist you must see, you may want to call his or her office and verify that they are a part of the Blue Value network and accept that plan.  Less expensive can be good, but only if you are satisfied with your choice of providers and have ample doctors and hospitals to choose from in your area.  You can always use the BCBSNC Find a Doctor tool to research providers.

Finally, Blue Local is the most limited of the four BCBSNC networks.  This is a new network with Carolinas HealthCare System and is only available in nine counties in North Carolina.  Again, this network will be less expensive, but also more exclusive.  If you do not intend to stay within the Carolinas HealthCare System, this is not the network for you as you will wind up paying out-of-network prices.

The main thing to remember is that a small amount of research can save you big bucks in the long run.  Taking a few minutes to call your doctors to determine which plans they accept and which networks they are a part of can make a drastic difference in your overall out of pocket healthcare expenses.  Blue Cross Blue Shield of NC is committed to providing a broad range of coverage at a variety of price points, allowing you to determine which networks and which plans work best for both your family and your finances.

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 NC offers several network options when selecting your health insurance plan to allow you the flexibility to choose the coverage that bests suits your needs.  It is important to understand these networks before making your final plan selection.

To gain access to the best and largest network of doctors and hospitals, go with a Blue Advantage plan.  Blue Advantage offers you a broad choice of doctors, specialists and hospitals with the largest network available that includes 91% of doctors and 99% hospitals.

Does having the option to save money by selecting a doctor from two tiers of in-network providers appeal to you? Blue Select plans offer you this opportunity. With Blue Select, BCBSNC has tiered benefits and providers to help you make the most of your health care spending. BCBSNC has evaluated doctors and specialist physician practices on their quality outcomes, cost efficiency, and accessibility and created two categories:

Tier 1 are providers who received top ratings, and you’ll receive a richer benefit when you choose these providers.

Tier 2 are providers who still meet the usual standards for being part of the network, and you’ll receive a less rich benefit when you choose these providers. By tiering the benefits and providers, you’ll save up to 6% on your monthly premium and have a clear way to save more money by choosing Tier 1 providers. You can see which tier your providers are in by visiting the Find a Doctor tool.

Is having a plan with a lower premium more important to you than having the largest network of doctors and hospitals available? If so, a Blue Value plan might work for you. Blue Value features a limited network of providers and some of the lowest costs of all the plans.  Blue Value can offer up to 9% savings, but has a limited network of doctors, hospitals, and pharmacies to lower costs. (Blue Value may not be available in all areas.)

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). It would be our pleasure to help you navigate through the Health Care Reform changes in accordance with the new regulations of Obama care. Call us for details.

Blue Advantage features a provider network that covers all 100 counties in the state at an affordable price.

91% of doctors and 99% of hospitals in the state are covered

Coverage in North Carolina, the United States and worldwide

More pharmacy and prescription drug options

Flexibility in how much you pay for doctor visits and prescription drugs

Preventive care covered at 100%

Blue Advantage is ideal for those who want choices: choices in which provider to see and choices for how much to pay for doctor visits and prescription drugs.

Benefit Choices

Blue Advantage offers a variety benefit choices to give you options for how much you pay for medical expenses: copayments, and deductible and coinsurance plans.

Copayment plans are what most people think of as traditional plans. They offer a fixed copayment for things like primary care office visits and prescriptions. While you’ll know what you’re going to pay with copayment plans, they come at a higher premium. These plans are ideal for someone who wants predictable costs and doesn’t mind paying more in premiums. (more…)

We are pleased to announce that Kennon Wainwright has joined our agency as an Authorized Blue Cross Blue Shield Agent.  Kennon grew up on the coast in beautiful Morehead City, North Carolina.  He attended Virginia Episcopal for High School before entering The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.  He graduated from UNC-CH with a Bachelor’s Degree in Peace, War and Defense.   He began his insurance career in 2009 with experience in Property and Casualty.  He currently holds insurance licensing in Health & Life, Property & Casualty and is also working towards his Accredited Advisor in Insurance Designation.  Kennon is excited to assist North Carolina residents with their health insurance needs.  He looks forward to sharing the wide range of exceptional Blue Cross Blue Shield Products such as Blue Advantage, Blue Options HSA, and Dental Blue.  Kennon is confident that he can find a plan that best suits your needs and situation.

In his spare time, Kennon enjoys spending time on the water, hunting with his chocolate lab, Goose and cheering for the Tar Heels.  Kennon is a tremendous asset to our agency and brings knowledge about the BCBSNC products to best serve you and your insurance needs.

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 and Blue Shield of North Carolina (BCBSNC) offers three primary health care plans for individuals and families. All of our plans offer unique benefits and multiple deductible options. And, they all cover preventive services received within our extensive network at 100%. With options like these, you’re sure to find a plan that works for you.

You can generate a quote today and compare your plans with numerous plans offered by Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Carolina.   You can select from our Blue Options HSA, Blue Advantage and Blue Saver plans.  You do not pay any premium when you apply, once your application has gone through underwriting for a final decision, you can change to any plan you want prior to making payment.  You are not under any obligation to enroll once your application has been approved.  Apply today

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.

You can purchase a Blue Advantage, Blue Advantage Saver or Blue Options HSA policy to cover your child or adopted/foster child without being covered by the policy yourself. Your child will receive full plan benefits, including immunization, well-child and well-baby care coverage. When you apply, be sure to enter your child’s information (name, gender and birth date) as the primary applicant. If you plan to cover multiple children, each child must have his or her own policy, so you’ll need to apply for each policy separately. Multiple children may be covered on the same policy, as long as the parent is also covered by that same policy. You can cover children up to age 26 on your policy, as long as they are your legal dependents. However, children under age 18 are not eligible to have their own health savings account. Children under age 18 are subject to certain tax guidelines. Consult a tax professional for more information.

The information above is provided by BCBSNC, 2011 Plan Information Guide.

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.

BCBSNC offers an optional maternity rider to females (policy holder or spouse) ages 18 and over who are NOT pregnant when they apply for coverage unless their most recent creditable coverage was underwritten by BCBSNC and included maternity coverage. If you elect not to purchase the maternity rider when you first apply, you can add at the following times so long as you are not pregnant at the time:

1. During the annual renewal period (November for a January 1 effective date) as long as the policy has been in effect for at least 6 months

2. Within 30 days following marriage (requires copy of marriage certificate)

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Our classic health insurance plan

• Features low copayments for doctor visits and prescription drugs
• A wide range of deductibles for medical and prescription drugs
• You get the most comprehensive coverage we offer
• You pay more in monthly premiums, but you pay less when going to the doctor
• Preventive care is covered at 100%

The information in this article is from bcbsnc.com, product benefits.

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.

GREAT COVERAGE STARTS HERE:  For most all non-grandfathered plans offered by Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Carolina now offer 100% coverage for all preventive services….no more co-payments or deductibles.  Some of these benefits include adult annual exams, urinalysis, blood test, screen test, immunizations, well-baby care, well- child care, mammograms, colonoscopies, polyp removal and obesity evaluation and management.

Also being offered are our new lower costs plans by BCBSNC ,  Saver 1, 2 & 3 plans offering high deductibles as well as limited office visit co-payments, limited prescription coverage and plans offering no co-payments with deductibles as high as $10,000.00 and $20,000.00.    Of course, Blue Options HSA and Blue Advantage plans are among the most popular plans being sold today.  Now you have the ability to select from a broad array of plans that will work best with your budget.

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.