Tag Archive for 'health care costs'

BCBSNC customers now in the drivers seat when it comes to cost information

Published on February 7, 2012 in BCBSNC. 0 Comments Tags: , , , .

A newly redesigned Member Services website has recently been launched by Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina. The website contains enhancements to the “Find a Doctor” search presenting customers with cost and quality information that includes out-of-pocket estimates for 9 non-emergency procedures. The search permits customers to comparison shop for their health care and enables them to make better decisions about costs without giving up quality.

This new website is yet another example of how BCBSNC is constantly searching for better solutions when it comes to lowering health care costs. Now their customers have the information they need so that they can save a substantial amount on their health care.

The following is a link to the news release that includes a short video about the search tool: http://mediacenter.bcbsnc.com/pr/bluecross/bcbsnc-puts-customers-in-the-driver-228024.aspx.

BCBSNC and UNC Health Care to initiate innovative patient-centered practice

Published on January 24, 2011 in BCBSNC. 0 Comments Tags: , , .

On January 11, 2011 BCBSNC and UNC Health Care announced their partnership to work together and form a totally new type of medical practice where patients will be the main focus of care. This cutting-edge type of medical practice will reach beyond what is known as the ‘medical home’ and will allow teams of health care providers to work together with patients and families to provide excellent coordinated care.

This new type of practice is expected to open sometime in the fourth quarter of 2011 and will most likely be located in Orange or Durham county. This practice will be the first product of an ongoing team effort for BCBSNC and UNC Health Care. They will be working with each other to improve health care quality, efficiency and effectiveness and bring down health-care costs.

BCBSNC President and CEO Brad Wilson said that “the team approach to care emphasizes patient involvement and allows more time for clinical interaction and patient education and support. We believe this approach will result in improved health and fewer complications – both of which will help control rising health care costs.”

Around 5,000 BCBSNC members will be able to use this new practice. It will focus on patients with chronic conditions such as hypertension, diabetes, obstructive lung disease, coronary artery disease, major depression and asthma.

Continuous care will be available with the new practice, because coordinated care will extend across a variety of settings and provider types. The practice was created to allow more effective patient-provider interactions, resulting in increased patient satisfaction and better health. Also, this practice will supply an extended set of services and better access to these services which include:

  • On-site mental health
  • On-site pharmacy and medication management
  • On-site nutritionist
  • On-site laboratory
  • Non-traditional visit formats (e-visits, tele-visits, home monitoring)
  • Case management and coordination of care for patients requiring hospitalization
  • Extended weekday and weekend hours
  • Group and educational visits
  • State-of-the-art information technology

BCBSNC and UNC Health Care will share the cost of leasing and equipping the practice.

Ways to decrease your individual health insurance premiums

Published on February 18, 2010 in Health Insurance. 0 Comments Tags: , , , , , , .

There are three key elements that can substantially affect the cost of individual health insurance. These are the deductible, the coinsurance percentage and the co-pay benefit.

The deductible is the amount that the insured pays before they can receive the policy benefits. Of course higher deductibles will mean lower premiums’ but it will usually take longer to reach your deductible if you choose this type of plan.

Coinsurance is a percentage that you may be required to pay once you have paid the deductible. It can range anywhere from 50% to 0%. You will need to pay this percentage until you get to your annual “out of pocket limit”. Higher coinsurance percentages normally mean you will pay lower premiums.

Co-payments are what many are asked to pay at a doctor’s visit or when a prescription is filled. It is a flat amount that you pay at the time of service or when the medication is received.

Once you have paid your annual deductible and out-of-pocket limit, the co-pay is waived for the rest of the year. Usually the co-pay benefits are an optional feature since they have a big influence on the premium.

Each individual or family should consider their current health situation, need for prescription medication and frequency of doctor visits so they can get the plan that best fits their needs. An agent from http://nchealthcarecoverage.com will be glad to take the time to help you find the policy that best fits you and your family’s needs. Or if you prefer, you can call (800) 797-0327 to talk to a friendly agent 24/7.

If you or your family hardly ever has to see the doctor other than for an annual check up, a plan that has a higher deductible and coinsurance percentage without a co-pay benefit may substantially reduce your overall health care costs.