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Individual Health Coverage
As most know, there is strength in numbers when buying
insurance. Of course, when you are part of a group you can
enjoy paying less on your premiums. But what do you do when
you are no longer insured by your company’s health care
provider, or you change jobs and the new one does not offer
health insurance? Individual Health Coverage is insurance
that is not connected to a business, it is insurance that
you can purchase on yourself or for your whole family.
Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina’s® Blue Advantage® individual
health coverage insurance program allows its members to see the best
doctors, hospitals and specialists in North Carolina. The
Blue Advantage® provider network is one of the largest in
the state.
Many people that find themselves needing to purchase
individual health coverage, simply overlook their situation
and decide to not purchase any insurance at all. Many find
that the prices for individual premiums are too high. Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina's® Blue Advantage®
program has two different options for individual health
coverage. Option A offers members
lower co-payments, usually just 15 dollars, and lower costs
for generic prescription drugs. Option B offers members
lower monthly premiums for those on a budget, however these
members share more in the cost of their health care and may
have to pay a little more on their co-payments.
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With Blue Advantage,
members have access to many of the best doctors, hospitals and
specialists in North Carolina. Our provider networks are large and
member copayments and coinsurance are predictable.1 Members visit
in-network providers, show their Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North
Carolina (BCBSNC) ID card and pay their copayment. The doctor
handles the administrative details and files the claims. There’s no
messy paperwork. It’s that easy.
Blue Advantage members can also go directly to in-network
specialists without a referral and have the freedom to go outside
the network for most services.2 The only difference is the
out-of-pocket cost.
Blue Advantage for individual coverage offers two plans, which
allows applicants to choose the benefits and deductible that work
best for them. Blue Advantage Plan A features a $15 copayment for
doctor visits and just $10 for generic prescription drugs. For those
on a budget, Blue Advantage Plan B offers lower monthly premiums.
Members share more in the cost of their health care on Plan B
through higher copayments.3
With Blue Advantage, members are covered across the nation and in
more than 200 countries and territories worldwide.4 To find a nearby
network provider, members can search the BlueCard® provider
directory at bcbsnc.com or call 1-800-810-BLUE (2583).
Applicants may choose to purchase coverage for their children only.
Children will receive full Blue Advantage benefits, including
coverage for well-child and well-baby care and immunizations.
Applicants can also select maternity coverage for an extra charge
when they first purchase a policy, renew a policy (if the policy has
been in effect for at least six months), or if they have a family
status change like marriage.
As BCBSNC members, Blue Advantage members have access to a variety
of resources and programs designed to maximize their health care
experience. Resources include the Member Health Partnerships,
programs that help members manage health conditions like asthma and
diabetes, and the Blue Extras® free value-added programs, which
provide members discounts on everything from vitamins to gym
memberships.5
To be eligible for Blue Advantage, an applicant must be a resident
of North Carolina, be under age 65 and not qualify for Medicare.
Enrollment processing takes approximately 30 days. Applicants may
need health insurance to cover this waiting period, or to cover the
time between the termination date of their old plan and the
effective date of their new plan.
® mark, SM marks of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association. SM1
mark of Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina. 1 Some
services and supplies received by members in an office setting or in
connection with an office visit are in fact outpatient
hospital-based services provided by hospital-owned or operated
practices. These services and supplies may be subject to your
deductible and coinsurance. 2 Referrals may be needed for certain
mental health and substance abuse services. 3 Blue Advantage Plan B
requires a $200 prescription drug deductible. 4 2004 BCBSNC Internal
Data. 5 Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina reserves the
right to discontinue or change this program at any time. All plans
may not be eligible for these programs. |
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If you have any
questions or would like more information, please contact us
888-857-4882,
email
us, or use our online request form. |
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