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You did the research. You weighed your options. You chose the right health insurance plan for you and your family and you purchased health insurance. You’ve even received your member ID card. Now you can face the next year without worrying that a health issue will leave you in the lurch.
But did you know that being a BCBSNC customer is about much more than helping you pay for health care? In fact, there are many ways you can use your health insurance that you might not be aware of.
1. Learn to talk the talk.
Premiums, copayments and deductibles…oh my! When it comes to health insurance, sometimes just learning the lingo can be half the battle. BCBSNC’s Answer Spot has a handy glossary that includes these and other important terms.
2.Take control of your health and wellness.
Blue Connect, our online member dashboard, puts control of your health and wellness right where it belongs — with you. You’ll find a quick online health assessment tool that will allow you to learn more about your current health and how you can improve it. It also offers tools that can help you manage your health. Through Blue Connect, you can also access exclusive resources and solve common customer service questions.
3.Find the right doctor at the right price.
Whether you’re new to BCBSNC insurance, recently moved or are just ready for a change, selecting a doctor is an important step toward managing your health. By doing a little legwork up front to learn which in-network doctors and hospitals are in your area, you can determine where to go if you or a loved one needs care. In-network physicians and hospitals have contracted with BCBSNC to provide care to members at a set, predetermined rate. Depending on the procedure, using an in-network provider may save you a significant amount in out-of-pocket costs.
Finding the right doctor or hospital for your specific situation can be easier when you can compare the quality and cost of care. That’s why BCBSNC created the HealthNav tool. It can help you find in-network doctors for primary and specialty care as well as urgent care, pharmacies and dental care. Before you undergo a medical treatment or procedure, HealthNav will allow you to compare doctors or facilities based on estimated costs and quality of care. The database includes price information about thousands of non-emergency procedures from doctors and hospitals statewide.
4.Access 24-hour backup for health care decision-making.
Ever had a health concern or question come up in the middle of the night? Or wondered whether you should go to urgent care or the emergency room? Health Line Blue is a free 24-hour nurse support line exclusively for some BCBSNC members. The service can save you time and money by providing real-time answers to help you make better decisions about when and where you can get the right care. Check your benefits booklet to find out if your plan is eligible. If you are, log in or register to learn more about Health Line Blue.
5. Get proactive about prevention.
You’ve probably heard the old saying: “An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.” We couldn’t agree more. That’s why our ACA plans provide a wide range of preventive care – including regular checkups and health screenings (like mammograms) – covered at no cost to you when you visit an in-network doctor. Other plans like transitional and grandfathered plans may vary, but many offer similar options. Check with your benefits specialist or give us a call if you have questions.
Why prevention? We’ve known for a long time that these annual preventive care checkups and screenings provide a better picture of your overall health. That means your doctor could potentially find or help you avoid dangerous health issues – like heart disease or diabetes – before they become serious problems. Staying healthy and receiving regular preventive care is also the best way to save money on your health care (because you’ll need less!).
6. Stop making trips to the pharmacy.
Yep, that’s right. With our PrimeMail service, there’s no wait and no hassle to receive up to a 90-day supply of medication right at your doorstep, all with no charge for shipping. If you see “Prime Therapeutics” on the back of your member ID card, you are eligible for this service. Plus, you can order refills online and check the status of your order. And it could help you save on prescription expenses, too.
7. Stay healthier for less with discounts on wellness products and services.
Blue365 is a members-only program that offers discounts that save you money while helping you live better. Blue365 Deals are available exclusively to BCBSNC members, offering savings on everything from gym memberships to eyeglasses and hearing aids to family activities and travel. BCBSNC members can learn more about the program and register to participate at any time.
Our Healthy Outcomes program offers a range of wellness benefits, including outreach from care management nurses to help you with health and insurance questions, nutritional counseling for a healthy diet and lifestyle coaching to motivate you to adopt a healthy lifestyle. Smoking cessation and weight management efforts are also supported wellness benefits.
8.Manage a chronic condition.
Chronic health conditions like cancer or COPD create risks and complications that require additional health care support. Multiple medical appointments and medications can be hard to manage alone. That’s why we’re here to help. BCBSNC’s Care Management programs allow our customers to better control chronic conditions and improve their overall health with no additional out-of-pocket costs. Our registered nurses can help you manage your condition by coordinating care with your doctors, assisting with referrals and financial issues and even helping you develop a preventive care plan that promotes healthier living.
By taking full advantage of all the benefits your health insurance coverage offers, not only will you get the most bang for your health care buck, but you and your family can live healthier, too. For more information about health insurance basics check out Answer Spot or call the number on the back of you member ID card.