For applications received on May 1, 2010 and after, Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina (BCBSNC) made these important changes to their individual under-65 product portfolio (Blue Advantage and Blue Options HSA):

• BCBSNC will no longer decline any applicant under the age of 19 who applies for one of these products.
• BCBSNC will waive pre-existing condition waiting periods for any applicant under the age of 19 who applies for one of these products.
• These changes apply to both new sales (those under age 19 applying for their own policy) and existing policies (policy holders adding an under-19 dependant to an existing policy).

For the initial phase of this transition BCBSNC has developed manual processes to implement these changes. If an application would have been considered medically ineligible for coverage under the old rules, the application will continue to be declined in the Buy Online system; however, BCBSNC will re-set the final rate tier and call the applicant or agent on the next business day to notify him/her of the application’s status. BCBSNC plans to automate these processes at a later date.

This is a welcomed change and kudos to BCSBNC for implementing it before the September timeframe that was outlined in the recent Health Care Reform Legislation. If you have questions about these changes, please contact IBD Insurance at 800-615-5980.

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