Healthcare News & Stories
Affordable Care Act
Health, Blue Cross NC, Affordable Care Act, Individual/Family, Medicare
Special Enrollment Period Extended to Feb. 16 for 27 Hurricane-Affected Counties
Residents in certain counties impacted by Hurricane Helene now have an extended opportunity to apply for or adjust their Blue Cross NC individual health insurance plans. The Special Enrollment Period (SEP) has been extended for these counties, offering a chance to secure health coverage or switch to a plan that better suits your needs.
Who Is Eligible?
Residents in the affected counties can use this SEP to enroll in a new plan and apply for coverage with Blue Cross NC or another carrier. They can also switch plans, updating their coverage to align with their current healthcare needs.
Who Is Eligible?
Residents in the affected counties can use this SEP to enroll in a new plan and apply for coverage with Blue Cross NC or another carrier. They can also switch plans, updating their coverage to align with their current healthcare needs.
Health, Blue Cross NC, Affordable Care Act, Individual/Family
Blue Cross NC Announces ACA Rate Increases Below National Average
Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina (Blue Cross NC) is taking steps to keep health care more affordable for North Carolinians with a modest rate increase for 2025 Affordable Care Act (ACA) plans. The North Carolina Department of Insurance (NCDOI) has approved a 3% average rate increase for individual customers and families enrolled in ACA plans through Blue Cross NC. This increase is less than half of the estimated national average rate increase of 7% for ACA Marketplace plans. “The average rate increase of 3% on our ACA plans is less than half the national average. We have worked hard to keep our ACA plans as affordable as possible, but we know any increase is too much for many families,” said Dr. Tunde Sotunde, President and CEO of Blue Cross NC. “The cost of health care – including prescription drugs – is still too high. It will take all of us, including health systems and pharmaceutical companies, to make health care more affordable.”
By Health Plans of NC Staff
Blue Cross NC, Individual/Family, Affordable Care Act, Medicare, Health
2025 Annual Open Enrollment & Special Enrollment Periods: Key Dates and Information
For Medicare, the Annual Enrollment Period for 2025 runs from October 15 to Dec 7, 2024. For individual and family plans, Open Enrollment starts November 1, 2024 and ends January 15, 2025. For more details about enrollment periods for 2025, feel free to reach out to one of our agents.
Health Plans of NC Staff
Blue Cross NC, Affordable Care Act, Individual/Family, Medicare
ACA Health Insurance: The Growing Issue of Unauthorized Plan Switching
A new concerning health insurance trend has emerged: unauthorized plan switching. KFF Health News reports that this switching is happening with surprising ease in the 32 states that serve the Federal Marketplace. Customers find themselves enrolled in new plans without their knowledge or consent. The result? Profound implications for their financial well-being and; Not being enrolled in the right plan to meet their healthcare needs.
Health Plans of NC by Kelly Quinn
Health, Blue Cross NC, Affordable Care Act, Medicare, Individual/Family
Avoiding Health Insurance Scams: Your Guide to Making Smart Coverage Choices
If you’ve just started researching health insurance coverage options, you’ll know that the industry can be complex. There are countless coverage options available at multiple price points. Unfortunately, the confusion surrounding health insurance can sometimes lead to exploitation. We’ve seen operators selling inadequate health insurance products to customers throughout North Carolina that don’t deliver the benefits clients are promised.
Health Plans of NC, by Kelly Quinn
Individual/Family, Individual/Family, Medicare, Affordable Care Act
Why Choose A Local Health Insurance Agent
Using a local agent or broker can offer plenty of benefits if you're in the market for a new health insurance plan. Not only can you access quotes for plans that support your future medical needs, but getting advice from someone nearby can mean they understand the nuances of different plans specific to North Carolina. At Health Plans of NC, our experienced agents know how to find the best health insurance plans for North Carolina residents.
Heath Plans of NC, Kelly Quinn
Individual/Family, Affordable Care Act, Medicare
Why Google Reviews Can Help You Find The Right Health Insurance
Did you know that over 50% of online shoppers in the US find customer reviews helpful when searching for products or services online? Using reviews in this way can apply to a range of products and services, with more and more Americans turning to various review sites, including Google, to help make purchase decisions.
Health Plans of NC, Kelly Quinn
Health, Blue Cross NC, Affordable Care Act, Medicare
Why an Experienced Health Insurance Agent Is Your Best Resource in a Digital World
In today's digital age, many Americans use technology to manage various aspects of their everyday lives, from buying groceries to sourcing financial advice. With the rise of computer-generated assistants and helpful chatbots, saving time and using automated tools for the more complex things in life can be tempting - like finding the right health insurance coverage. But while you can enroll in a health insurance plan online, it's essential that you first understand your coverage options before choosing a plan. When searching for the right health insurance for your health and budget, nothing beats getting advice from an experienced and knowledgeable health insurance agent. Particularly, one who specializes in understanding the needs of people like you who live in North Carolina.
Health Plans of NC by Kelly Quinn
Individual/Family, Affordable Care Act, Medicare, Health
2024 Plan Year Open Enrollment Dates
Accessing the right level of healthcare coverage at a price that’s right for you helps ensure you can access the healthcare you need when you need it. While searching for the best health insurance plan for you and your family can be overwhelming, it doesn’t have to be. At Health Plans of NC, we can help you choose an affordable and comprehensive health insurance plan. We can also explain how open enrollment periods work and when enrollment starts in 2024.
Health Plans of NC Staff
Blue Cross NC, Affordable Care Act, Individual/Family
How a Health Insurance Agent Can Help You Navigate Healthcare.gov - For Free!
Did you know that health insurance agents can help you sign up with Healthcare.gov at no cost? While online platforms make it easier to choose your healthcare plan, getting the right one and navigating the complexities of the various available policies can still be challenging. If you need help choosing the right health insurance, our experienced, knowledgeable, and local health insurance agents can help you - for free.
Health Plans of North Carolina by Kelly Quinn
Blue Cross NC, Individual/Family, Affordable Care Act
New Consumer Protections for Individual/ Family Health Insurance
The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) has introduced changes this year to protect your information and reinforce consumer rights. The new requirements, which help ensure greater transparency when working with health insurance agents and brokers, are part of the 2024 Notice of Benefit and Payment Parameters (NBPP). What does this mean for you?
Health Plans of NC
Health, Vision, Individual/Family, Affordable Care Act, Blue Cross NC
Essential Tips for Choosing Health Insurance Turning 26
Up until age 26, you can remain on your parent's health insurance plan. But turning 26 means it's finally time to sort out your own health insurance coverage. It’s important to make sure that you find a plan that meets your health needs, and that's within your budget. In this article, we'll help you find a plan that meets your lifestyle and give you plenty of information so you can make an informed choice. At Health Plans of NC, we specialize in helping anyone from North Carolina find the right health insurance coverage. If you’re about to turn 26, here are our top recommendations for finding the right health insurance for you.
Blue Cross NC, Affordable Care Act, Individual/Family, Medicare, Short Term
Changes to Consent Requirements for Marketplace Consumers
The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) have introduced new requirements that aim to protect consumer interests. The requirements, which help ensure greater transparency when working with health insurance agents and brokers, are part of the 2024 Notice of Benefit and Payment Parameters (NBPP). These enhanced consumer protections were introduced in response to various complaints and disputes about who can act on an individual’s behalf. The rules apply to all enrollments by agents, brokers, and web-brokers, regardless of which platform they use.
Health Plans of NC by Kelly Quinn
Blue Cross NC, Affordable Care Act, Individual/Family, Medicare, Short Term
Changes to How Agencies Can Market Medicare Advantage and Part D Plan
The U.S. Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) has recently released changes to how health insurance agents and brokers can market to customers. These changes aim to improve your experience when sourcing Medicare Advantage and Part D plans. Ensuring agents and plan providers follow the new guidelines helps you to make a more informed decision about your coverage.
Health Plans of NC by Kelly Quinn
Health, Individual/Family, Affordable Care Act
Special Enrollment Period: Life Events that Make You Eligible for Health Insurance
No matter what stage of life you’re at, having the right level of health insurance can be crucial. The right coverage gives you (and your loved ones) financial protection and peace of mind that you can access quality healthcare services - when you need them most. Whether you live in North Carolina or any state in the U.S., you can purchase the right level of health insurance coverage through the Health Insurance Marketplace. Usually, you’re only eligible to purchase during what’s known as the annual Open Enrollment Period. But, for certain life events and special circumstances, known as Special Enrollment Periods (SEPs), you can enroll or change your health insurance plans outside of the regular enrollment period.
Health Plans of NC by Kelly Quinn
Health, Individual/Family, Affordable Care Act
Why You Need a Health Insurance Agent for Complex Cases
What is a Complex Case?
A complex case refers to specific healthcare needs for you or your family based on your circumstances.
Here are some examples where seeking advice from a health insurance agent can be beneficial:
A complex case refers to specific healthcare needs for you or your family based on your circumstances.
Here are some examples where seeking advice from a health insurance agent can be beneficial:
Health Plans of NC by Kelly Quinn
Individual/Family, Affordable Care Act, Blue Cross NC
Changing Jobs? Get a Better Deal With Health Plans of NC
Life can be full of planned events and some that are a little more unexpected. If you're changing jobs or facing unemployment, and need to reconsider your health plan, our local North Carolina health insurance agents are here to help. Our agents work hard every day to find clients a better deal than COBRA. So before you use COBRA, call us to see how we can help.
Health Plans of North Carolina by Kelly Quinn
Short Term, Health, Affordable Care Act, Individual/Family
Child Only Plans
As a parent, the right health insurance can provide peace of mind if your child becomes ill, experiences an injury, or requires urgent medical attention. Our agents at Health Plans of NC regularly help families find the right health insurance for their entire family, including recommendations for child-only health insurance.
Health Plans of NC, Kelly Quinn
Individual/Family, Affordable Care Act
What Are The Benefits Of Working With A Health Insurance Agent?
When finding the right health insurance for you and your family, there are many benefits of using a health insurance agent or broker.
Individual/Family, Affordable Care Act
What Is The Health Insurance Marketplace Circle Of Champions?
The Marketplace Circle of Champions is a yearly program that recognizes all Marketplace-registered brokers and agents' work, service and expertise. These brokers partner with the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) to help Americans find the best health insurance plans to support their short and long-term health needs.
Health Plans of NC, Kelly Quinn
Individual/Family, Affordable Care Act, Medicare
Why We Use Google Reviews
Google Reviews are considered reliable and credible. Google verifies the accuracy of each customer review before it’s published on Google.
Glynnis O'Donoghue with Health Plans of North Carolina
Individual/Family, Affordable Care Act
How The Family Glitch Proposed Rule Changes Could Save You Money
In April 2022, the Biden-Harris Administration proposed a rule to strengthen the Affordable Care Act (ACA) by fixing the ‘family glitch’ that could save families across America hundreds of dollars each month. The goal of this proposed rule is to revise the existing interpretation of eligibility relating to premium tax credits for families. If finalized, the rule will extend the ACA Marketplace health insurance subsidies to millions more people throughout America, including many North Carolina residents.
Health Plans of NC, Kelly Quinn
Health, Affordable Care Act, Individual/Family, Medicare
Medicaid Program Underway in North Carolina to Help with Food and Shelter
In March 2022, Medicaid launched the Healthy Opportunities Pilot, a program to support up to 20,000 low-income North Carolina residents. The program, a $650 million initiative, aims to test whether Medicaid funding should be used differently to better support the social problems that affect people’s health.
Health Plans of NC, Kelly Quinn
Individual/Family, Affordable Care Act
What Are The Dates For Open Enrollment & Special Enrollment Periods 2022?
Open enrollment 2022 for Affordable Care Act (ACA) health insurance has ended. However, it’s still possible to get health insurance if you meet specific criteria. Read on to find out more about how you can access health insurance, or contact one of our local NC Health Insurance agents to find out how we can help. Our team can explain when is open enrollment for health insurance and what it means for your coverage.
Health Plans of NC, Kelly Quinn
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