Healthcare News & Stories

A licensed health insurance agent can help you find the right coverage—but only if you ask the right questions. Use this guide to prepare for your conversation.

Health insurance scams cost Americans billions each year. Learn to recognize common scams, protect your personal information, and find legitimate help for your health insurance needs.

Complete guide to pre-existing conditions and health insurance. Learn your rights under the ACA, what's covered, pregnancy protections, and how to find coverage in North Carolina.

Complete guide for North Carolina young adults aging off their parents' health insurance at 26. Compare Medicaid, marketplace plans, and Blue Cross NC options. Understand costs, subsidies, and enrollment deadlines.

Turning 26 often means losing parental coverage—time to get your own health insurance! Options include employer plans, Marketplace ACA plans (with subsidies), or Medicaid if eligible. Our North Carolina agents help you find affordable coverage that fits your needs and budget.

The Affordable Care Act requires all ACA-compliant health plans to cover maternity care, including prenatal visits, labor, delivery, newborn care, and lactation support. Pregnancy is no longer a pre-existing condition. In North Carolina, contact our agents for affordable plan options and enrollment help.

Health insurance agents save time, find affordable quotes, and provide expert guidance on plans like Medicare, Marketplace, or private coverage—tailored to your needs in North Carolina. Contact Health Plans of NC for personalized help!

Employer Guide to ICHRA explains how employers can reimburse employees for individual health insurance premiums and expenses, offering cost savings, budget control, flexibility, and tax benefits over traditional group plans.

Nestled in the Blue Ridge Mountains, Asheville, NC, thrives in 2025 as a resilient hub of arts, craft beer, and outdoor adventures. From Biltmore Estate's grandeur to the Blue Ridge Parkway's vistas, its vibrant economy and top-tier healthcare—bolstered by Blue Cross NC—make it a haven for families and seniors alike.

Fayetteville, NC, a vibrant city with a rich military and historical legacy, offers comprehensive healthcare through Cape Fear Valley Medical Center, Womack Army Medical Center, and specialized clinics. With robust senior care, primary care, and community programs, it ensures accessible, quality healthcare for all residents.

Durham, NC, the City of Medicine, boasts top facilities like Duke University Hospital and UNC Medical Center for advanced cardiology, oncology, and pediatric care. Medicare supports specialized clinics and retirement communities. Blue Cross NC offers affordable plans with preventive services, drug cost caps, and extras like dental and fitness benefits.

Greensboro, North Carolina, boasts comprehensive healthcare with hospitals like Moses H. Cone Memorial, primary care clinics such as Eagle Physicians and Guilford Medical Associates, specialized centers for cancer, heart, and orthopedics, mental health services, and senior facilities including Friends Homes at Guilford. Medicare support features tailored clinics and retirement communities. Blue Cross NC offers extensive coverage, preventive care, member perks, nationwide access, and cost savings.

A fiduciary health insurance agent prioritizes your best interests, offering transparent, tailored advice on ACA, Medicare, or group plans. Legally bound to disclose conflicts and recommend optimal coverage, they ensure cost-effective, comprehensive solutions, distinguishing them from agents who may push suitable but not ideal plans.

In North Carolina, employees of small businesses often face a critical decision: accept a Qualified Small Employer Health Reimbursement Arrangement (QSEHRA) or purchase health insurance through the Health Insurance Marketplace (Healthcare.gov). Both options aim to provide affordable access to healthcare, but they differ in terms of structure, cost, flexibility, and their impact on financial assistance. This 800-word article compares QSEHRAs and the Marketplace in North Carolina for 2025, with a focus on employees with significant medical needs, such as pregnancy, to help individuals make informed choices.
What is a QSEHRA?
A QSEHRA is a tax-advantaged arrangement that enables small employers (with fewer than 50 full-time employees) to reimburse workers for individual health insurance premiums and eligible medical expenses, including copays, deductibles, and prescription medications. In 2025, the IRS sets maximum annual contributions at $6,250 for single employees (approximately $520.83 per month) and $12,600 for family coverage (roughly $1,050 per month). These limits are prorated for partial-year coverage.

As technology reshapes industries, many wonder how artificial intelligence (AI) will impact the enrollment process for health insurance. At Health Plans of NC, we understand the concerns some agents and clients have about AI-driven tools potentially replacing the personalized service our team provides. However, we believe the future is bright for both our clients and our dedicated agents in North Carolina. Here’s why human expertise remains irreplaceable, even as AI enhances the enrollment process.
AI: A Tool, Not a Replacement
AI is making waves in the health insurance industry, streamlining tasks such as answering basic questions, comparing plan options, and processing applications. For example, chatbots can quickly explain deductibles, and algorithms can suggest plans based on a client’s budget and health needs. These tools are efficient, available 24/7, and appealing to tech-savvy consumers who value speed.

This article explores the extensive provider access available through Blue Cross NC in Charlotte, North Carolina. It highlights the robust network of doctors, specialists, and hospitals available to members enrolled in ACA, Medicare HMO, and PPO plans. The article also explains how to find in-network providers, the benefits of telehealth, and tools like Blue Connect that help members manage their care. Whether you're new to the area or comparing plan options, Blue Cross NC offers comprehensive healthcare coverage for individuals and families across Charlotte.

Health Savings Accounts (HSAs) are valuable tools for managing healthcare costs, offering tax advantages and flexibility. The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) has set the 2025 HSA contribution limits, critical for North Carolinians planning their benefits to maximize savings while staying compliant.
 2025 HSA Contribution Limits
For 2025, the IRS has established the following annual HSA contribution limits:

IRS announces 2026 HSA limits: $4,400 for self-only (+$100) and $8,750 for family (+$200). Minimum deductibles rise to $1,700 (self) and $3,400 (family), with out-of-pocket caps at $8,500 and $17,000. North Carolinians, maximize tax-free savings with Health Plans of NC. Contact us for HSA guidance!

General Coverage for Hearing Testing:
Hearing testing coverage with Blue Cross NC  depends on the specific plan you’re enrolled in.
  -  Routine Hearing Exams: 

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.

Blue Cross NC members can now enjoy the convenience of home delivery for prescriptions through Amazon Pharmacy, simplifying medication management while maintaining trusted benefits.

Blue Cross NC offers Teladoc telehealth services to individuals under 65 years old who are ACA members, providing 24/7 access to virtual care for acute conditions, mental health, dermatology, nutrition, and primary care through Primary360. Many plans include $0 telehealth visits.

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.

Complete guide to dependent eligibility for health insurance. Learn who qualifies—spouses, children, domestic partners—and explore coverage options for non-family members, including Medicare, Medicaid, and ACA marketplace plans.