It’s more important than ever to be a savvy health care consumer.  You can take charge of your health by knowing where your money goes and committing to live a healthier lifestyle. 

What we all pay out-of-pocket is a small percentage of the overall cost of health care.  BCBSNC continues to look for more ways to make health care less of a burden and more of an advantage. 

You can take your dollar further by enrolling in free and discounted programs:

• Improve your health and save money by joining Member Health Partnerships.  These programs offer special tools and savings to help you lose weight, manage stress, quit tobacco and manage a host of other conditions.
• You might be eligible for discount programs including chiropractic care, vitamins and supplements, vision and Lasik, hearing aids, and weight management.
• Enjoy Blue365 Discounts with savings from selected companies on healthy lifestyle products and services.

Stay in-network:  Visiting in-network health care providers save you out-of-pocket costs.  You can check out the online provider directory to see what doctors participate in our network and what deductible and coinsurance amounts may apply to your visit.

Save money with generic drugs:  Did you know that some drugs can cost 80 percent less than their brand-name counterpart?  Make a habit of asking your physician or pharmacist if a generic option is available.

The information above is brought to you from BCBSNC, A Guide to a Healthier You, 2009.

For more information on health insurance coverage in North Carolina and how to utilize My Member Services, please visit our website at www.nchealthplans.com or call our toll free number 888-765-5400 and speak with one of our qualified agents. Our agency provides coverage for health insurance in North Carolina through Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Carolina (BCBSNC). You may qualify for a 15% healthy lifestyle discount if you are in excellent health. Call us for details.

“Why?”  That is the question some of my family and friends asked me when I told them I was going to participate in the Nelson Bay Challenge, a local sprint triathlon.  “Aren’t you getting a little old to push yourself so hard?”  That was another question, with concerns that I might actually kill myself during the training process or the race itself.  I only had one answer - why not?  I have always liked setting specific physical fitness goals for myself and I thought a sprint triathlon could help add some spark to my workout routine.  Another perk………the training program could also help me win some prizes through Blue Points, the health and wellness program offered by Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina to promote physical fitness activities.
(more…)

QUIT SMOKING - YOUR HEALTH COVERAGE THROUGH BLUE CROSS BLUE SHIELD OF NC (BCBSNC) CAN BE RATED AS MUCH AS 30% HIGHER IF YOU SMOKE.  IF YOU QUIT SMOKING, NOT ONLY DO YOU GAIN THE HEALTH BENEFITS, BUT YOU ALSO PAY LOWER HEALTH INSURANCE PREMIUMS.  Call our agency for more details about healthy lifestyle discounts and how to reduce your premiums - 888-765-5400.  The following article on Nicotine Addition came from a a post from the American Heart Association. (more…)