Healthcare News & Blog

Older couple reviewing documents and a laptop at home
Health, Affordable Care Act, Medicare

Health Insurance for NC Early Retirees Before Medicare

Retiring before 65 in NC? Explore ACA Marketplace subsidies, COBRA, spousal plans, and cost strategies to bridge the gap until Medicare starts.
HealthPlans of NC

Woman reading paperwork at a laptop in her kitchen
Health, Affordable Care Act, Individual/Family

Lost Your Job in NC? COBRA Vs. Marketplace Coverage

Lost employer health insurance in North Carolina? Learn how COBRA, ACA Marketplace plans, and Medicaid compare — plus key enrollment deadlines to protect your coverage.
HealthPlans of NC

Parents and two children working on paperwork at the kitchen table
Affordable Care Act, Individual/Family, Health

ACA Enrollment Drop in NC: What It Means for Your Coverage

ACA enrollment fell in NC as premiums rose. Learn why it happened, who's affected, and which health coverage options still make sense for NC families in 2026.
HealthPlans of NC

Health, Affordable Care Act, Individual/Family

Health Insurance for NC Gig Workers and Contractors

NC gig workers and independent contractors can access ACA Marketplace plans, Medicaid, and HSAs. Learn your options, subsidy eligibility, and enrollment tips.
HealthPlans of NC

Health, Affordable Care Act, Medicare

How to Fight a Denied Health Insurance Claim in NC

Learn how to appeal denied health insurance claims in NC. Step-by-step guidance for ACA marketplace and Medicare plans, deadlines, documents, and free resources.
HealthPlans of NC

Wellness, Health, Individual/Family

Emergency Savings Accounts: A Practical Guide for NC Employees

NC employees can build a real financial cushion with the right emergency savings account. Learn how much to save, where to keep it, and how health coverage fits in.
HealthPlans of NC

Health, Affordable Care Act, Medicare

Cyclospora Outbreak 2026: What NC Residents Must Know

Two active Cyclospora outbreaks — including a Taco Bell cluster in 9 states — put NC residents on alert. Learn symptoms, safe foods, and how your health plan covers care.
HealthPlans of NC

Health, Affordable Care Act, Medicare

NC Health Care Affordability Commission: What It Means for You

NC's new Health Care Affordability Commission held its first meeting July 21, 2026. Learn what it could mean for your health insurance costs and coverage options.
HealthPlans of NC

Health, Affordable Care Act, Individual/Family

Health Insurance After Divorce in NC: Know Your Options

Divorced in NC? Learn your COBRA rights, ACA marketplace enrollment windows, and coverage alternatives to stay protected after losing a spouse's health plan.
HealthPlans of NC

Medicare, Affordable Care Act, Individual/Family

Health Insurance for NC Retirees: Medicare & Pre-Medicare Guide

Retiring in NC before 65? Compare ACA Marketplace plans, COBRA, spousal coverage, and Medicare options to find the right health coverage for your situation.
HealthPlans of NC

Affordable Care Act, Individual/Family, Health

ACA Metal Tiers in NC: Bronze to Platinum Explained

Learn how Bronze, Silver, Gold, and Platinum ACA Marketplace plans work in NC — and which tier fits your budget, health needs, and subsidy eligibility.
HealthPlans of NC

Farmworker couple looking at a phone at the edge of a field
Health, Affordable Care Act, Individual/Family

Medicaid Work Requirements 2027: What NC Farmworkers Must Know

Federal Medicaid work requirements take effect in 2027. Here's how NC farmworkers and seasonal workers can protect their health coverage under the new rules.
HealthPlans of NC

Three colleagues reviewing documents at an office table
Blue Cross NC, Health, Individual/Family

Blue Cross NC Returns to State Employee Health Coverage

Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina is taking over state employee health plans again. Here's what this means for NC workers, families, and your coverage options in 2026.
HealthPlans of NC

Three older women laughing over coffee
Medicare

How Much Does Medicare Supplement Insurance Cost in 2026-2027?

Fill the gaps in Original Medicare with a plan that fits your budget.
HealthPlans of NC

smile employee group computer
CHOICE Arrangements, Group

What to Know About CHOICE Arrangement Adoption Before You Make the Switch

CHOICE Arrangements explained to employers: what employee friction is and how to manage it.
HealthPlans of NC

Older woman leading a group exercise class
Health, Medicare

Move More, Live Better: An Introduction to SilverSneakers

SilverSneakers offers gyms, community classes and online fitness programs for older adults, and it’s included with many Medicare plans. Here’s what it offers and how to get started.
HealthPlans of NC

Smiling carpenter in a workshop
CHOICE Arrangements, Group

CHOICE Arrangements and Tax Day: What North Carolina Employers Should Know

CHOICE Arrangement reimbursements are 100% tax-deductible and exempt from payroll taxes — making them more tax-efficient than a traditional group plan or a cash stipend. This article breaks down five ways North Carolina employers can reduce their tax liability while offering better, more flexible health benefits to their employees.
HealthPlans of NC

Smiling baker in a commercial kitchen
CHOICE Arrangements, Group

Which Businesses Should Consider a CHOICE Arrangement — and Which Should Keep Their Group Plan

Restaurants, multi-state employers, construction companies, and startups thrive with a CHOICE Arrangement. Older, stable workforces may not. Here's how to tell the difference.
HealthPlans of NC

Employee meeting with a manager at a desk
CHOICE Arrangements, Group

How Employers Can Make CHOICE Arrangement Coverage Match the Protection of a Group Plan

Seven proven strategies to close the coverage gap between CHOICE Arrangements and group health plans — from over-funding to dependent subsidies and supplemental benefits.
HealthPlans of NC

A group of coworkers eating lunch
CHOICE Arrangements

Your Employer Is Switching to a CHOICE Arrangement: What It Means for You

More employers are replacing traditional group health plans with CHOICE Arrangements (formerly called Individual Coverage Health Reimbursement Arrangements, or ICHRAs). If your employer is making this switch, here's what you need to know about how it works, what changes for you, and how to choose the right health plan.
HealthPlans of NC

Enchanting well-groomed aging boss speaking on the phone in office
CHOICE Arrangements, Group

How Medicare Works with CHOICE Arrangements: A Guide for North Carolina Employers

CHOICE Arrangements and Medicare work together seamlessly, offering significant advantages for employers with Medicare-eligible workers. This guide explains what expenses qualify for reimbursement, how to structure contributions, and the tax benefits for both employers and employees.
HealthPlans of NC

Smiling older couple reviewing a document together
Medicare

Types of Medicare Plans in North Carolina: Part D, Medigap, Medicare Advantage, and Special Needs Plans

Beyond Original Medicare Parts A and B, you have several options to get additional coverage. More than half of Medicare beneficiaries are now enrolled in Medicare Advantage plans, while millions more use Medigap or standalone Part D plans. Understanding your options can help you find the right coverage for your health needs and budget.
HealthPlans of NC

Pregnant woman sitting in a chair and using a laptop
Individual/Family

Maternity Coverage in North Carolina: What's Covered, How to Enroll, and Your Options (2025-2026 Guide)

Thanks to the Affordable Care Act, maternity coverage is now a required benefit on all individual and small group health plans. Pregnancy can no longer be treated as a pre-existing condition, and many preventive services are covered at no additional cost. Here's what you need to know about maternity coverage in North Carolina.
HealthPlans of NC

A woman doctor explaining medical help to an older woman
Medicare

Dual Special Needs Plans (D-SNPs) in North Carolina: What They Are, Who Qualifies, and How to Enroll

If you have both Medicare and Medicaid, a Dual Special Needs Plan (D-SNP) can simplify your healthcare while providing valuable extra benefits at little to no cost. Nearly 6 million Americans are enrolled in D-SNPs, and North Carolina residents have multiple plan options. Here's everything you need to know about eligibility, benefits, and enrollment.
HealthPlans of NC

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