Healthcare News & Stories

Individual/Family

Husband and wife calculating finances
Individual/Family

Best Health Insurance for Couples Planning a Family

Starting a family can be very exciting for new couples. However, stress can easily pile up when insurance policies don’t cover an unexpected cost or monthly premiums become too high.
In fact, according to the Kaiser Family Foundation, the average monthly premium for a “Silver” plan covering a 40-year-old married couple was $1,120. That’s not considering all the possible pocket costs of growing your family.
Many unknowns can leave couples asking, “What options work best for us?  What can we expect when we decide to have children? And, what is the best health insurance for couples planning a family?”
HealthPlans of NC

happy family of three
Health, Individual/Family

Best Family Health Insurance Plans

Insurance involves monthly premiums, deductibles, categories, out-of-pocket expenses, out-of-network costs, and premium tax credits. For many people, these terms can cause stress and confusion.
Those searching for the best individual or family plan often encounter these daunting terms. It can be hard to fully understand what it means and how it impacts your bottom line. Plus, you may not know how to compare plans effectively.
In this article, we’ll dive into areas you should consider when looking at healthcare plans and why they matter. You’ll also learn about the best family health insurance plans and how to choose the right one.
HealthPlans of NC

Family happily smiling
Individual/Family

How Much Is Health Insurance For a Family of Three: All You Need to Know

Health insurance is essential, as individuals should receive comprehensive coverage for various medical procedures and expenses. However, trying to find the right insurance plan at an affordable price can feel overwhelming. Proper information lets you learn more about potential costs and what to look for when choosing a coverage plan. This article will answer the question, “How much is health insurance for a family of 3? We will tell you everything you need to know to make the best decision. 
What is the Average Cost of Health Insurance for a Family of 3
A variety of factors determine the price of health insurance. To begin, you must understand the different expenses you must pay. Every month, you will pay a monthly premium. This is a decided amount you must pay to receive health coverage. Then, there is your deductible, the amount you pay out of pocket before your insurance begins to provide coverage. Once the deductible is met, various cost-sharing methods will be implemented. 
HealthPlans of NC

A health insurance agent reassures her clients
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:
HealthPlans of NC

Health Plans of NC by Kelly Quinn

Woman smiles at camera while packing up her office for a job change
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. 
HealthPlans of NC

Health Plans of North Carolina by Kelly Quinn

Health Insurance agent team
Individual/Family, Medicare, Short Term, Group, Health

The Benefits of Choosing Your Health Insurance Agent

At Health Plans of NC, our experienced and professional team of locally based health insurance agents are here to help you. We've recently launched a new website to make it even easier for anyone living in North Carolina to access the best health insurance plan.  You can request a quote online in seconds simply by providing your zip code. It's a great way to get a quote fast, and we'll assign you to one of our knowledgeable North Carolina agents here to help you find the right plan for your health needs and budget. But if you want more control over your chosen agent, we recommend you look at our new 'Find an Agent' feature. This tool gives you the power to choose which insurance broker you use. 
HealthPlans of NC

Health Plans of NC by Kelly Quinn

View point of young families dancing at beach on ring around the rosy style - Lifestyle joy concept with mixed race people having fun moment holding hands
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.
HealthPlans of NC

Health Plans of NC, Kelly Quinn

Business team standing together
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.
HealthPlans of NC

A young woman of Indian ethnicity smiles while discussing her health concerns with her doctor. The doctor has her back towards the camera and is wearing a white scrub shirt.
Individual/Family

How To Find The Right Health Insurance In Your 20S

If you're about to turn 26, or you've just secured a job that offers health benefits, it's time to consider the right health insurance coverage to meet your needs.  For many 20-somethings, making important decisions about health care when you've never had to worry about health insurance can be confusing. It’s also not necessarily a top priority. But securing the right level of coverage can help protect you, potentially saving you thousands in the long run. 
HealthPlans of NC

Health Plans of NC, Kelly Quinn

Badge for recognition for achievement levels
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.
HealthPlans of NC

Health Plans of NC, Kelly Quinn

Portrait of Senior Woman with Grey Short Hair in the City District. Older Business Woman with Eyeglasses is Carrying a Briefcase and Talking over her Mobile Phone During the Walk in the City Center.
Health, Individual/Family, Short Term

What Is Expat Health Insurance?

Expat health insurance, also known as expatriate medical insurance, offers health insurance coverage for anyone temporarily living outside of their home country. You can usually tailor your policy to suit your health needs, regardless of where you live. These plans can be an excellent option to provide private health insurance, which can be helpful if it's difficult to source quality healthcare where you live. 
HealthPlans of NC

Health Plans of NC, Kelly Quinn

Couple with baby getting advice
Individual/Family, Short Term

What Is Short Term Health Insurance?

Short-term health insurance provides temporary coverage that typically lasts from a few months to a year. This type of health plan isn't regulated by the Affordable Care Act (ACA), so they're not required to provide the minimum essential health benefits other plans mandated by the ACA do. If you're in between health insurance plans, short-term health insurance can be an affordable option if you're looking for health coverage. Depending on your circumstances, short-term plans can even be more affordable than a major medical plan. 
HealthPlans of NC

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.
HealthPlans of NC

Glynnis O'Donoghue with Health Plans of North Carolina

Pregnant person using a laptop
Individual/Family

Questions About Maternity Coverage?

A Quick Overview
It is mandatory for all health insurance providers to provide maternity care coverage. In 2014, the Affordable Care Act became law, requiring coverage for pregnancy, labor, delivery, and newborn care.
How Has Maternity Coverage Changed?
HealthPlans of NC

Health Plans of NC, Kelly Quinn

Family with kids and grandparents laughing together
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.
HealthPlans of NC

Health Plans of NC, Kelly Quinn

Pregnant woman using a tablet computer on a sofa
Individual/Family

What You Need to Know About Health Insurance if You’re Trying for a Baby

If you’re trying to have a baby, there’s a lot to think about. You may be wondering how long does it take to get pregnant and whether you’re ready for this life change. It’s also a great time to consider your health care needs and ensure you have the right level of health insurance coverage for your care.
HealthPlans of NC

Health Plans of NC, Kelly Quinn

Woman holding Covid-19 rapid test
Individual/Family, Covid 19

Reimbursement Available For Over-The-Counter Covid-19 Rapid Tests

Did you know that insurance coverage has now been extended to cover at-home Covid rapid tests? Since January this year, private insurers are now required to cover the cost of rapid at-home tests when purchased over-the-counter.  
HealthPlans of NC

Health Plans of NC, Kelly Quinn

Man carrying grocery bag talking to female grocery store employee
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.
HealthPlans of NC

Health Plans of NC, Kelly Quinn

Girl with two other women on a sofa
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.
HealthPlans of NC

Health Plans of NC, Kelly Quinn

Five professionally dressed people smiling in an office hallway
Health, Affordable Care Act, Individual/Family, Medicare

The Top Three Benefits of Using a Health Insurance Agent

It’s only natural that you’ll have questions if you’re considering enrolling in a health insurance plan. The good news is that the Affordable Care Act means you can get assistance when selecting your plan. You can either work with an experienced, licensed health insurance agent or an authorized individual Marketplace representative called a Navigator to help answer your questions. Although a licensed agent and a Navigator do share some similarities, there are some differences. It can be more beneficial to use a licensed agent over an unlicensed, government-trained representative. Here are our three top benefits of why you should choose a licensed agent.
HealthPlans of NC

Health Plans of NC, Kelly Quinn

Man giving family a grocery bag
Individual/Family, Affordable Care Act

You May Qualify for Enrollment in an NC ACA Health Plan for $0 Premium

Low-income earners that do not exceed 150% of FPL in North Carolina can qualify for ACA health insurance for $0
HealthPlans of NC

Health Plans of NC, Kelly Quinn

Woman standing over an office desk using a laptop and holding a phone
Individual/Family, Affordable Care Act

What You Need to Know About Health Insurance If You’re Self-Employed

In the United States, approximately 16 million workers identify as being self-employed. Self-employment can offer many benefits, including greater flexibility and being your own boss. It also provides an entryway to entrepreneurship and small business ownership.
HealthPlans of NC

Health Plans of NC, Kelly Quinn

Woman working at a counter in a shared workspace tying on a laptop
Individual/Family, Affordable Care Act, Individual/Family

What the Self Employed Need to Know About Health Insurance

In 2021, around 59 million Americans worked freelance, representing over one-third of the US workforce. Although many people take freelance gigs to supplement their primary employment, about 28% of Americans who freelanced in 2020 did freelance work as their full-time occupation. And Upwork, an online freelancing platform, believes these numbers will continue growing as more people turn to freelance. Regardless of whether this trend is a part of an overarching lifestyle choice, as many social pundits suggest, this shift does have significant implications for areas like healthcare coverage.
HealthPlans of NC

Health Plans of NC, Kelly Quinn

Man and woman talking at a desk
Health, Affordable Care Act, Individual/Family, Medicare

Do I Need a Health Insurance Agent?

Selecting the right health insurance can be time-consuming and often overwhelming. There is a vast range of medical health insurance available via the Health Insurance Marketplace and private insurance agencies.
HealthPlans of NC

Health Plans of NC, Kelly Quinn

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