Healthcare News & Blog

Medicare

Individual/Family, Affordable Care Act, Medicare

Why We Share Our Google Reviews: Transparency You Can Trust

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.
HealthPlans of NC

Senior Couple On Autumn Walk In Countryside Together
Medicare

Helping a Parent or Loved One Choose Medicare Coverage in North Carolina (2025-2026 Guide)

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.
HealthPlans of NC

Woman in a military uniform and a man at a desk with a laptop and a cup with small American flags
Medicare

Medicare and VA Benefits for Veterans: How They Work Together (2025-2026 Guide)

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.
HealthPlans of NC

Two couples smiling with a ferris wheel in the background
Medicare

Understanding Medicare: Parts A, B, C, and D Explained (2025-2026 Guide)

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.
HealthPlans of NC

Family walking in a field holding hands
Health, Medicare

Allergy Testing and Treatment in North Carolina: Insurance Coverage Guide (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.
HealthPlans of NC

Family with kids and grandparents laughing together
Health, Affordable Care Act, Individual/Family, Medicare

5 Reasons to Work with a Licensed Health Insurance Agent in North Carolina (2026 Guide)

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.
HealthPlans of NC

Two couples sitting outside
Medicare

10 Important Considerations When Choosing Medicare Plans in North Carolina (2025-2026 Guide)

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.
HealthPlans of NC

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

Health Insurance Agent Vs. Navigator: What's the Difference? (2025-2026 Guide)

Both health insurance agents and government navigators can help you enroll in coverage—but they work differently. Here's what you need to know about each option and which may be right for you.
HealthPlans of NC

Two couples taking a selfie on a hiking trail
Medicare

Your Step-by-Step Guide to Medicare Enrollment in North Carolina (2025-2026)

Enrolling in Medicare doesn't have to be complicated. This guide walks you through each step—from signing up for Original Medicare to choosing additional coverage—so you can make informed decisions about your healthcare.
HealthPlans of NC

Man reading bills at kitchen counter
Health, Medicare, Individual/Family

How to Read Your Explanation of Benefits (EOB) and Medical Bill

Your EOB shows what your insurance covers and what you owe. Always wait for your EOB before paying a medical bill to avoid overpaying.
HealthPlans of NC

4 people at a desk looking at a laptop
Medicare

Health Insurance Options for Early Retirement in North Carolina

Early retirees face a coverage gap before Medicare eligibility at 65. Here's how to find affordable health insurance during those in-between years.
HealthPlans of NC

Five older people smiling after exercising
Medicare

Who Is Medicare For? Eligibility, Enrollment, and Coverage Start Dates

Understanding Medicare eligibility is the first step toward getting the health coverage you need. Here's who qualifies for Medicare, when to sign up, and what happens if you miss your enrollment window.
HealthPlans of NC

Individual/Family, Affordable Care Act, Medicare

Why Customer Reviews Matter When Choosing a Health Insurance Agent in North Carolina

Online reviews are one of the most trusted sources of information when choosing a health insurance agent. Here's why reviews matter, what to look for, and how they help you find an agent you can trust.
HealthPlans of NC

A couple looking at something and smiling
Medicare

Does Medicare Cover Dental and Vision? Your Coverage Options in North Carolina

Medicare Parts A and B don't cover routine dental or vision. Here's how to add these benefits through Medicare Advantage or standalone insurance plans in North Carolina.
HealthPlans of NC

Health, Medicare

Dual Special Needs Plans (D-SNPs) in North Carolina: Benefits, Eligibility, and How to Enroll

Dual Special Needs Plans combine Medicare and Medicaid benefits into one plan, offering extra coverage and care coordination at little to no cost.
HealthPlans of NC

Mature Asian lady with positive grey haired friend spend time together sitting at small table in street cafe on nice autumn day
Medicare

Medigap Plan L: 75% Coverage with an Out-of-Pocket Maximum

Medigap Plan L is a cost-sharing plan that covers 75% of most Medicare out-of-pocket costs. It includes an annual cap to protect you from unlimited expenses.
HealthPlans of NC

Full length of encouraged calm retired man and woman are talking to each other while standing outdoors. They are carrying a suitcase while looking at each other with love.
Medicare

Medicare Coverage When Traveling: What's Covered in the U.S. and Abroad (2025 Guide)

Planning a trip? Understanding how your Medicare coverage works away from home is essential. While Medicare provides solid protection domestically, international coverage is limited—prompting many travelers to consider supplemental options.
HealthPlans of NC

Child blowing bubbles
Individual/Family, Individual/Family, Medicare, Affordable Care Act

Why Use a Local Health Insurance Agent in North Carolina? Benefits of Working with a Licensed Broker

Working with a local health insurance agent gives you expert guidance, access to multiple plans, and personalized service—without paying extra.
HealthPlans of NC

woman arranging paper works
Medicare

Medicare Advantage and Employer Insurance: How They Work Together (2025-2026 Guide)

With more Americans working past 65 than ever before, understanding how Medicare Advantage plans coordinate with employer insurance is essential. This guide covers your coverage options, who pays first, and how to make the best decision for your situation.
HealthPlans of NC

Does Medicare Cover Dental Care?
Medicare

Does Medicare Cover Dental? Your Guide to Medicare Dental Coverage (2025-2026)

Dental care is essential to overall health, yet Original Medicare provides almost no coverage for routine dental services. Here's what Medicare members need to know about their options for dental coverage.
HealthPlans of NC

Senior Couple on computer applying for medicare
Medicare

What Else Should I Consider When I Apply for Medicare? (2025-2026 Guide)

Once you've enrolled in Medicare, there's more to know. From reviewing your annual plan documents to understanding preventive services, here's what you should consider to get the most from your Medicare coverage.
HealthPlans of NC

Four multi-ethnic mature and senior adults sitting indoors at a table, drinking coffee, conversing and smiling. The main focus is on an African-American couple in their 50s. Their friends are a senior couple in their 70s.
Medicare

Medigap Plan K: Lower Premiums with an Out-of-Pocket Maximum

Medigap Plan K is a cost-sharing plan with lower premiums. It covers 50% of most Medicare out-of-pocket costs, with an annual cap that limits your total spending.
HealthPlans of NC

Two active seniors walk their dog
Medicare, Blue Cross NC

Medicare Part D $2,000 Out-of-Pocket Cap: How It Works and What It Means for You (2025-2026)

Major relief for Medicare prescription drug costs is here. The Inflation Reduction Act caps annual out-of-pocket spending at $2,000 in 2025 and introduces Medicare-negotiated drug prices in 2026, saving millions of beneficiaries thousands of dollars annually.
HealthPlans of NC

Family smiling and waving at a phone
Health, Blue Cross NC, Affordable Care Act, Medicare

Why Working with a Health Insurance Agent Beats AI Chatbots and Online Tools

Technology makes health insurance research easier, but choosing the right plan requires more than a chatbot can offer. Here's why working with a local health insurance agent in North Carolina gives you an advantage—at no extra cost.
HealthPlans of NC

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