The Effects of Health Care Reform on North Carolina Health Insurance Customers

If you live in North Carolina, health insurance and health care reform is just as big of a deal to you as it is to the rest of the world. We have a massive population of seniors in our area, many of whom are increasingly concerned about the rising costs of health care and whether or not they will be able to afford their North Carolina health plans. Now, we've all heard about health care reform, but it is an incredibly complex issue and many of us are confused by it. For instance, folks are concerned that health care reform would mean a complete government takeover of health care in which medical treatment would have to be rationed out; the end of Medicare; and the end of private insurance. These myths, generally speaking, are perpetuated by those who are profiting under the status quo and seeking to misguide people away from health care reform.

There are a number of special interest groups that are using the aforementioned scare tactics and myths to deter people from supporting health care reform. President Obama has guaranteed that a health care overhaul wouldn't force people like us to surrender the North Carolina health insurance plans we are satisfied with and wouldn't cut Medicare benefits. At the same time, Obama defended his call for a government-funded public health insurance option to compete against private insurers, indicating that Americans who liked their private plans could keep them, but they would have the option to sign up for the government plan. He said such an option would keep costs down, but wouldn't amount to a government health care takeover because private insurance companies wouldn't be able to compete with a government-funded plan. Obama gave the example of Fed-Ex, UPS and the Postal Service. He said that Fed-Ex and UPS are doing just fine, USPS is the one that's always having problems.

In an effort to combat what the Obama administration considers to be misinformation about the issue of health care reform, the White House has launched a Health Insurance Reform Reality Check Web site, which features Obama aides discussing aspects of health care reform. Those who back the health care overhaul believe that such a change is necessary to ensure that virtually all Americans have access to health insurance and that there will be long-term economic stability in our country. Because of stalwart opposition, however, congressional action on health care reform has slowed considerably.

The general basis for the opposition is that health care reform will inevitably lead to a government takeover of the entire health care system and prove too costly to sustain. As North Carolina health insurance customers, we can do our part by learning the facts and not contributing to false rumors that keep any kind of reform from progressing. Remember that despite what changes may take place in the health care system in the coming years, you can rest assured in knowing that your North Carolina health plans are safe and not going anywhere.

BCBSNC Customers Save Millions and Stay on Medications with Free Generics Program

Chapel Hill, N.C. – Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina (BCBSNC) is helping customers save money and stay on their medications with the generic copay waiver program. BCBSNC customers saved at least $15 million in out-of-pocket expenses since the program started January 1, 2009. The program will run until June 30.

The generic copay waiver program is in effect until the end of the year for eligible customers taking generics to treat chronic conditions such as hypertension, congestive heart failure, high cholesterol and diabetes.
“In this tough economy, the generic copay waiver program allows BCBSNC customers to control out-of-pocket costs by using generic drugs,” says Ron Smith, PharmD, BCBSNC vice president of employer health and corporate pharmacy. “The savings our customers see through the program reaffirms that the generic copay waiver program helps people to better manage their health and not be forced to choose between medication and paying their bills.”
The 2009 generic copay waiver program applies to nearly 1 million BCBSNC customers and eliminates customer copays for covered generic drugs. Eligible BCBSNC customers include:

· Blue Advantage customers (once they meet their annual prescription deductible, if applicable).
· Medicare Supplement customers who have prescription coverage on their policies (once they meet their annual prescription deductible, if applicable).
· Members of insured employer groups (if their employer group has pharmacy benefits through BCBSNC).
· Members of self-funded employer groups (if their employer group has pharmacy benefits through BCBSNC and has chosen to participate in the program).

Generic drugs are equivalent to corresponding brand name drugs in active ingredients, dosage, strength, safety and performance, but they cost a fraction of their brand name counterparts. Since prescription drug costs are a key driver of rising medical costs, the long-term increased use of generics also impacts future premiums for the benefit to BCBSNC customers.

With or without the copay waiver, generic medications cost less out-of-pocket than brand-name medications. Generic copay waiver programs increase those savings and highlight the benefits of generic medications.

Top questions to ask about NC health insurance

Choosing NC health insurance can be a confusing process. There are many options available for NC residents to consider. To make the process easier, talk with an experienced NC health insurance agent who can walk you through all the health plan options and give you an understanding of each health plan benefit and the limitations. You don’t want to be surprised later when filing an insurance claim, or getting medical treatment.

Coverage of family and individuals
To understand the specific health plan coverage, asking your agent several questions about each option will make it easier to decide on a health plan to suit your budget and medical care needs.

Who is covered under the NC health plan?
What are the age limitations of coverage for my children? Will they be covered if they work or go to college?
What about group health insurance coverage for my family? What are the limitations of employer health insurance? Is it more cost effective to cover my children on an individual policy instead of a group policy? What are the benefits and limitations of each health plan?

Cost of premiums and deductibles
Comparing the financial cost of different NC health plans with their benefits is an important aspect to consider. Many NC health plans have several monthly premium options to suit your budget.

Can I lower the monthly premium to decrease costs?
What are the claims caps for my health plan?
Does the cost of the health plan decrease or increase with claims?
What are the annual rate increases?
Can I get a preferred rate because of good health?
Can I raise or lower my co-pay or deductible?
Do my premiums increase if someone gets sick?


Limitations and Exclusions
Always read the fine print on a health insurance policy and ask a reputable health insurance agent to tell you about all the limitations, claims caps, and exclusions of each health plan. Here are some questions to ask:
Do I have to go to certain doctors in the network or can I choose my own doctor?
What is the coverage if I seek treatment outside the network of doctors and providers?
How do the premiums change and what are the maximum deductibles and pay-outs of this policy?
Does the health plan provide coverage medical care when I travel?
What are the specific exclusions and benefits of this health plan?

All of these questions can be discussed with a reputable health insurance agent who knows the answers. North Carolina residents can contact Judi Goloff at 800-438-5834 or visit NC Health Plans Online, for Blue Cross NC rates and quotes.

How to lower your NC Health Plan costs

Many North Carolina residents are seeking to lower their health insurance costs because of the economic times. Good health care coverage is an important investment in your future so smart shopping can save you time and money in insurance premiums. Here are a few suggestions for cutting costs on health insurance:

Ask a reputable NC health insurance agent to help

Getting expert help from an experienced insurance agent does not increase your health insurance premium costs and will usually save you valuable time and money. A reputable agent understands all the terms and benefit options that can decrease your monthly rates while offering medical care benefits to suit your needs. It is very important to seek advice on several health insurance policies and compare the benefits and costs involved. They can also give advice about existing medical conditions and whether you will qualify for reduced monthly premiums.

Invest in a Health Savings Account or HSA

The main benefit of HSA plans is the savings from having a higher deductible and no co-pays for doctors and drugs. These health plans are less expensive per month and the out-of-pocket expenses can be lower than the actual co-pay type plans if you require hospitalization or major medical treatment. Make sure to get a reputable insurance carrier that has a good track record and reputation for paying insurance claims.

Increase your deductible on your existing health plan

If you already have an insurance plan but can’t afford the monthly premiums, consider increasing the deductible to save money on monthly premiums. This can actually save hundreds of dollars a year if you are healthy and require few doctor visits and medications.

Consider a specialized insurance plan

These health plans are always cheaper because they usually cover only hospital and surgical expenses. Many cover a specified amount for each day in the hospital and certain surgical expenses for common surgeries. Accident plans cover certain accident related medical injuries. These plans are helpful in case of medical emergencies and provide coverage that can save you from financial crisis if you are involved in an accident.

Consider Major Medical Plans

For those in good health, check out the options with major medical insurance that covers only certain illnesses like heart disease, cancer, and other major health problems. These plans will be a lot less expensive than comprehensive health plans but still cover you in case of future illness and common health problems.


All of these options can be discussed with a reputable health insurance agent who knows the affordable approaches to getting quality health care coverage based on your specific needs. For North Carolina residents, contact Judi Goloff at 800-438-5834 or visit NC Health Plans Online, for Blue Cross NC rates and quotes.

NC health plans with affordable North Carolina Health Insurance options

Are you looking for affordable NC health insurance options that offer quality medical care coverage? At NC Health Plans Online, we offer the best health insurance coverage for individuals and businesses in North Carolina.

Our choices of premiums and plan options can not be beat for the value of medical services and large network of doctors and providers available.

Call Judi Goloff at 800-436-5834 with any questions regarding the wide range of health plan options and affordable premiums for groups and individuals. She can walk you through the complex process of selecting the perfect NC health plan to suit your medical care needs. Judi has helped hundreds of North Carolina residents and continues to provide award winning service to her current customers.

Higher or lower deductibles in NC Health Insurance?

Determining the better payment plans for NC health insurance depends on your financial needs. Which options are optimal for your economic situation can be answered with a little advice from your health insurance agent. There are payment options with a high deductible and lower monthly premiums, or lower deductibles and higher monthly premiums. What is better for your finances and health care needs?

To answer that question you need to figure out how much health care you or your family will need each month. For individuals and families that have a history of good health with few doctor visits then a lower monthly premium and higher deductible may be an economical option. On the other hand, if you are considering starting a family and planning for pregnancy, have children who are active in sports, or need monthly prescriptions for a family member, then a lower deductible with higher premiums may be the better option.

If your family will require frequent medical care and need prescription drugs for certain medical conditions then choosing the higher premium may help keep your monthly budget since your costs will be fixed. The difference in premium charges can also fluctuate according to how much coverage you choose in the beginning. Some pre-existing conditions cost more each month to cover. Also, check the policy carefully when choosing to get the best option available for regular prescription drug coverage.

If you visit the doctor frequently, you may find that the difference between the high deductible and low deductible comes out to be the same at the end of the year. With the lower premiums, you are paying the insurance company less per month with a higher “out of pocket” deductible to the health care provider. This option can mean savings if you rarely visit the doctor or seek medical care during the year.

Always check to see the emergency coverage limits to make sure you are covered if major medical care is needed. This is important with children who are in high injury sports or have a medical condition. Many insurance policies will cover certain medical conditions and sports injuries but require higher monthly premiums.

As stated before, the advantage of higher premiums is the ease of having a fixed monthly budget. Also with the higher premiums, many policies will cover additional services that may be available with the insurance carrier. Talk with a reputable insurance agent to guide you through this process of choosing premium payments that you can afford. With so many options, a trusted agent can save you money and help you budget for a health care plan that covers the necessary medical needs of you and your family.

Judi Goloff is an independent insurance agent with BCBSNC®. Call her for experienced advice about your health insurance options. Call 800-438-5834 or visit NC Health Plans Online, for Blue Cross NC rates and quotes.

Need Help with NC Health Insurance Options?

If you are shopping around for NC health insurance, you need to know the questions to ask when choosing the health care plan for yourself and your loved ones. There are so many options available that it is very important to know the ins and outs of each plan and consider the important points before choosing. Finding a reputable insurance agent to walk you through the process can save time and money in the long run. Here are some valuable tips to help with your insurance purchase.

Choosing your Doctors and Specialists for Medical Care

The first consideration in any health insurance plan is the doctors and specialists that are available with your coverage. If you have a regular doctor that you see, make sure they are in your network of coverage. Otherwise you may have to seek out other doctors that are part of the insurance network. Take the time to review their background and experience. For specialist treatment, check the policy to find out your options and coverage for certain treatments. Many policies will cover specialist medical treatment after a referral from a primary care physician. Check to see what treatments are covered and read the fine print on each policy.

Getting Coverage for Pre-existing Conditions and Emergency Care

For pre-existing medical conditions, check carefully to find out if it is covered in the insurance policy. There are many conditions that are covered or have limited coverage. Don’t get caught later without any coverage because you did not check the details prior to purchase. Ask your insurance agent who will be able to give you advice if you have a pre-existing condition. Check all details about emergency care and how much the health plan will cover if such a situation arises.
Other Health Insurance Tips to Consider

Here are some tips that many forget to consider. During this period of economic downturn, many are having a hard time just keeping up with regular monthly payments. For your piece of mind and continued health insurance coverage, check to see if there are grace periods for monthly premiums in case you fall behind on payments. Some policies give a certain grace period so the policy holder can continue coverage. Also check to see if your doctor has higher deductibles for certain treatments in order to keep your monthly premiums down.

Other considerations for those with limited budgets are the discounts offered in many health care plans. Ask an agent to check for the discounts that may apply to you and your family. There are many options that can help you save money in the long run so make sure to check them out. Choosing several different policies for coverage may not be a money saving option. It is better to get coverage with a reputable insurance company and use an experienced agent to help. They can help you get the discounts and policy options available to you.

Finally, always include any additional health care services that you need in your plan. Many forget to check on mental health care, hospice care, long term care and dental care. If these are services you need, then make sure to go over the options with an agent who can help you compare costs and discuss the best available health insurance for your individual needs.

Judi Goloff is an independent insurance agent with BCBSNC®. Call her for experienced advice about your health insurance options. Call 800-226-0092 or visit NC Health Plans Online, for Blue Cross NC rates and quotes.