If you live in North Carolina and you buy your own health insurance, there are several options available to you. One of the individual health insurance plans in North Carolina, the Blue Advantage plan from Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina (BCBSNC), is one of the best plans available in the country. The Blue Advantage has three different plans that are available for North Carolina subscribers. All three plans have good benefits. The differences in the health insurance plans allow you to chose less coverage for less monthly premium.
The Blue Advantage Plan A has the best benefits and is the most expensive each month. It is also the most popular of the three Blue Advantage plans. Doctors visits are just $15 with no deductible required. Specialists are a $30 copayment with no deductible. Prescription drugs also have first dollar coverage on Plan A with copayments of $10 for generics, and $35 or $50 for name brand drugs. The Blue Advantage plan A also includes vision care. For a routine eye exam each year, you just pay a $15 copayment. The hospitalization portion of the Blue Cross of NC plan comes with your choice of four different hospitalization deductibles. Once the deductible is met, you choose either 100% or 80 coverage after the deductible is met for hospitalizations.
The BCBSNC Blue Advantage health insurance plan B is similar to plan A, but costs less per month. Doctor copayments for plan B rise to $25, with a $50 copayment for specialists. Vision care is not included for plan B. Prescription drug copaymets are the same as the Blue Advantage plan A, but there is a $200 annual prescription drug deductible that must be satisfied before you get to the 10/35/50 copayments. There are also four hospitalization deductibles that you can choose from. The coinsurance after the deductible is 70% for plan B up to an out of pocket maximum of $3,000 per year after which the insurance picks up 100%.
Plan C reduces benefits even further, but the costs come down significantly each month. The Blue Advantage plan C is a new plan that was introduced in January of 2006. Doctor visits are a $30 copayment and specialists are a $60 copayment. The prescription drug copayments are the same as the Blue Advantage plan A and B, but there is a $500 annual prescription drug deductible on plan C before you get to the copayments. For hospitalization, the coinsurance after you meet the deductible that you choose is 50% to an out of pocket maximum of $3000 per year.
Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina (BCBSNC created these health insurance programs to fit different individual and family needs. Before you select one policy or another, you need to know the differences so that you are not surprised with unexpected costs when you use medical services. If you have any questions about plans or want more information, or you just want to go ahead and apply, speak to your local NC agent, or stop by websites like http://www.thackeragency.com to meet your needs. Agents are available to answer any questions that you might have and help you sign up for the best policy for your needs. Agents get paid by the insurance company so they serve you at no cost to you.
