Healthcare News & Blog

Medicare Advantage (Part C) plans offer an all-in-one alternative to Original Medicare, bundling hospital, medical, and usually prescription drug coverage. Most plans include extra benefits like dental, vision, and hearing—plus an out-of-pocket maximum to protect you from high costs.

Planning a vacation? Travel insurance can protect you from financial losses due to medical emergencies, trip cancellations, lost luggage, and more. Here's what you need to know before you go.

Freelancing offers freedom and flexibility, but it also means finding your own health insurance. This guide covers all your coverage options and what self-employed workers need to know for 2025-2026.

The Circle of Champions is a CMS recognition program honoring insurance agents and brokers who demonstrate expertise in helping consumers find and enroll in ACA Marketplace coverage. With record-high enrollment and important subsidy changes ahead for 2026, working with a recognized agent is more valuable than ever.

Vision insurance helps offset the costs of eye exams, glasses, and contact lenses. Here's what you need to know about vision coverage options in North Carolina—including what the ACA and Medicare do and don't cover.

As the gig economy grows, more North Carolinians are working as Selfemployed—and finding health coverage on their own. Here's what you need to know about your options, costs, and how to get covered.

Short-term health insurance provides temporary coverage for people in transitional periods—between jobs, waiting for employer benefits, or missing Open Enrollment. These plans aren't ACA-compliant and have significant limitations, but they can fill a gap when you need coverage fast.

Understanding how Medicare coordinates with employer coverage is essential for maximizing benefits and avoiding penalties. This guide explains primary and secondary payer rules, enrollment timing, and the pros and cons of dual coverage.

Medigap Plan C is one of the most comprehensive Medicare Supplement plans available, covering both Part A and Part B deductibles. However, it's only available to people who were eligible for Medicare before January 1, 2020. Here's what Plan C covers and what alternatives are available if you're newly eligible.

Blue Cross NC offers Pay as a Guest, a secure and straightforward way for subscribers and their loved ones to make one-time premium payments without creating an account or logging in. This feature is available for Medicare and individual under-65 members.

Medicare Advantage agents serve as your guide through the complex world of Medicare Part C plans. They help you compare options, verify your doctors are in-network, check prescription drug coverage, and find plans with the supplemental benefits you need—all at no cost to you.

As pharmacy closures create 'pharmacy deserts' across the nation, Blue Cross NC provides multiple solutions to ensure members can continue accessing their prescriptions—from Amazon Pharmacy mail-order delivery to enhanced services at independent pharmacies.

Medicare Supplement (Medigap) plans help fill the gaps left by Original Medicare—covering deductibles, coinsurance, and copays that could otherwise add up quickly. Here's what you need to know about Medigap coverage in 2025-2026.

Choosing a health insurance agent is an important decision. At Health Plans of NC, we make it easier by sharing our Google Reviews—verified feedback from real clients that helps you find the right agent for your needs.

Helping an aging parent or loved one choose the right Medicare coverage can feel overwhelming. This guide walks you through what Medicare covers, supplemental options, costs to compare, and critical enrollment deadlines.

Healthcare price transparency is more important than ever. Blue Cross NC's Cost Estimator tool empowers members to compare procedure costs across providers, estimate out-of-pocket expenses based on their specific plan, and make more informed healthcare decisions.

Under the Affordable Care Act, all major health insurance plans must cover maternity and newborn care as essential health benefits. Understanding your coverage options before and during pregnancy can help you plan for costs and ensure you receive the care you need.

Veterans can have both Medicare and VA healthcare benefits—and the VA encourages it. Learn how these programs complement each other and how Medicare Advantage can expand your healthcare options beyond the VA system.

Medicare is more valuable than ever, with new benefits like a $2,000 out-of-pocket cap on prescription drugs and negotiated prices on high-cost medications. Here's what you need to know about all four parts of Medicare in 2025-2026.

Living with allergies in North Carolina can be challenging—several NC cities rank among the nation's worst for pollen. Here's what triggers allergies in our state, treatment options, and how insurance covers allergy testing and immunotherapy.

High blood pressure is called the "silent killer" because it often has no symptoms but can lead to heart disease, stroke, kidney damage, and dementia. Here's what you need to know about monitoring and managing your blood pressure.

With federal navigator funding cut by 90% for 2026 and major changes coming to ACA subsidies, working with a licensed health insurance agent has never been more important. Here's why a local NC agent can make all the difference.

This guide explains current health insurance options for low-income residents in North Carolina, including NC Medicaid (available year-round), ACA Marketplace enrollment periods, and critical changes coming in 2026. Our licensed agents can help you find affordable coverage.

With over 2.2 million North Carolinians enrolled in Medicare and more than 56% choosing Medicare Advantage, picking the right plan is a major decision. Here are 10 important factors to consider when choosing your Medicare coverage.