Category: INSURANCE EDUCATION

Navigating infertility treatment can be overwhelming. Whether you’re seeking treatment for a medical condition or need help conceiving, the fertility journey is often complex. The acronyms alone can feel like an entirely new language: intrauterine insemination (IUI), in vitro fertilization (IVF), intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI), egg retrieval (ER)… Then add on top the emotional highs and lows of the family planning process, and it’s easy to see how fertility patients can feel bogged down. Healthcare costs and insurance coverage can … Continue reading “Infertility coverage 101: understanding your fertility benefits”

At Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina (Blue Cross NC), we know the current formula shortage has left many people and families feeling anxious. Some people are struggling to find formula for their infants, can’t find their usual brand, or have to visit multiple stores. Remember that families have more than one safe option for feeding their babies. The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services suggests talking with your child’s doctor to determine the best plan … Continue reading “Thinking about breastfeeding? Benefits for the new baby”

“I need an advocate.” The chat window blinked open on Cindy Evers’ screen. She’s a Customer Service Advocate at Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina (Blue Cross NC), working from home in Bladen County in Eastern North Carolina. “Advocate” is her title, of course, but rarely had she seen the word written with such urgency. The member in the chat window had spent hours on the phone, waiting to speak with anyone who could help explain why her … Continue reading “Caring beyond the chat window”

We all know the saying, “You get what you pay for.” It applies to almost everything we buy. But with health care, that saying doesn’t always ring true. Most people who have had a serious illness or injury know that a heavy price tag doesn’t necessarily mean a good outcome. You can pay a hefty bill and still walk away without a diagnosis or an effective treatment. In part, that’s because traditionally, doctors get paid by the number of procedures … Continue reading “The three words every patient in the U.S. healthcare system should know”

Early last year, Chris Privett scheduled an MRI of his aching left shoulder, fully prepared to receive a hefty out-of-pocket bill, as he hadn’t met his annual health insurance deductible yet. The day after he marked that MRI on his calendar, he received a call from his health insurer, Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina (Blue Cross NC), telling him he’d pay a lot less—$340 less, to be exact—if he got exactly the same procedure at another clinic. … Continue reading “How price shopping for health care can save you money (and how to do it)”

Health insurance can be complicated. Whether you’re purchasing health insurance for the first time or just needs some help navigating the marketplace, we have the answers to your most pressing questions. 1. When can you buy health insurance? If you buy your health insurance through the marketplace, not through your employer, there are a few times you’re able to purchase a plan. The first is during Open Enrollment, which occurs each November. This year, the open enrollment period will be … Continue reading “5 questions to ask before picking a health insurance plan”

Medication errors causes thousands of deaths every year. More than 30% of those errors are the result of confusing medicine labels.1 If you’ve taken a lot of prescription medications or been a caregiver for someone who does, this might not surprise you. The average American reads at the 8th grade level, but medicine descriptions are written for college graduates.2 Then there’s the small print, the acronyms, the hard-to-find warning labels… Plus, the needlessly confusing instructions (I’m looking at you, “Take … Continue reading “Knowing how to read medicine labels saves lives”

If you’ve ever gone to the doctor and left feeling more confused than when you went in, you are not alone. Hearing complex medical information can raise questions, and we don’t always feel comfortable asking our doctors to clarify when we don’t understand something. When I first got sick with a chronic illness, I felt like my doctors were speaking another language. They were throwing around six- and seven-syllable words I’d never heard before. I hadn’t taken a human anatomy … Continue reading “Embarrassed to ask questions at the doctor? Five tips to open the conversation”

Knowing where to go when you have a health scare is vital to getting the care you need, when you need it. Choosing the right place to go will also save you time and money. That’s why I was surprised recently to learn that most visits to the Emergency Room (ER) are not, in fact, emergencies. According to CBS News, the most common type of visit to the ER is one of moderate severity. (Think having a severe cough or … Continue reading “Should I go to the ER, Urgent Care or My Doctor’s Office?”

Preventive care is important to your health—and it comes at no additional cost to you. Preventive care (sometimes called “preventative care”) is routine health care that helps prevent illness, disease and other health problems. It can help you stay healthy and find out early if you are at risk for developing a health problem. It could even save your life. Many screenings and tests are covered at no extra cost to you as part of your health plan. To help … Continue reading “Take advantage of these 10 no-cost health care services”