BlueCross BlueShield of North Carolina Health Insurance

Onslow County Government offers full-time employees two health plans through BlueCross BlueShield of North Carolina (BCBSNC)offers you the largest network of doctors and hospitals and the freedom to go outside that network for care.  If you use a network provider, you will be responsible for a lower amount of the bill than if you used an out-of-network provider.  Annual physical exams, annual ob/gyn visits, pap smears, mammography screening, prostate screening, standard immunizations, and an annual eye exam are preventive procedures that are included. Other options offered to you are a 24-hour health information resource, Blue ExtrasSM free value-added discount programs, programs for asthma, diabetes, pregnancy, and many chronic conditions, and finally bcbsnc.com – manages your healthcare online.  

Blue Options PPO

Blue Options PPO offers you a convenient copayment for doctor's visits and prescription drugs. Annual physical exams, annual ob/gyn visits, pap smears, mammography screening, prostate screening, standard immunizations, and an annual eye exam are preventive procedures that are completely covered by the plan.

Blue Options HSA 

Blue Options HSA is a high deductible or consumer-driven health plan. There are no co-payments on this health plan and everything you pay for doctor's visits and prescription drugs goes towards meeting your annual deductible and maximum out of pocket spending allowances. Annual physical exams, annual ob/gyn visits, pap smears, mammography screening, prostate screening, standard immunizations, and an annual eye exam are preventive procedures that are completely covered by the plan.  This plan may result in less out of pocket expenses for certain individuals.

If the employee has no other health insurance, this plan is paired with a Health Savings Account through the Local Government Federal Credit Union into which the County and the employee can contribute money that can be used to pay for eligible medical expenses.

If the employee has other health insurance, this plan is paired with a Health Reimbursement Account through Gilbsar into which the County can contribute money that can be used to pay for eligible medical expenses

Health Risk Assessment Program

The Health Risk Assessment is a voluntary, two-part process involving the completion of a self-reported questionnaire and a health screening that includes tests such as blood pressure, weight measurement, cholesterol and blood sugar. The health risk assessment process is designed to help identify potentially modifiable health risks.

All individual test and health risk assessment results are private and confidential and considered to be Protected Health Information (PHI). All PHI will be managed in accordance with Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) regulations. Assessment results will not be used by BlueCross and BlueShield of North Carolina (BCBSNC) or Onslow County to determine insurance rates or eligibility for coverage. Onslow County will not have access to individual responses or results and will only receive aggregate reports.

Employees who participate in the health risk assessment will receive a $50.00 per month discount on the employee’s portion of the insurance premium.

Coverage

We have five different levels of coverage for you to choose from when deciding your health insurance.  You may choose from the following:

Employee Only
Employee + Child
Employee + Children
Employee + Spouse
Employee + Family

Your premium for coverage will vary, depending on the level of coverage you select.

Monthly Premiums for Active Employees

Dependent Eligibility 

The following dependents are eligible for enrollment:

• Your spouse 
• Your (or your spouse’s) dependent children till their 26th birthday, including newborn children from date of birth, stepchildren, adoptive children from date of placement for adoption, foster children from date of placement in foster home, and children for whom health benefit coverage is required under a court or administrative order. 
• An unmarried dependent child who is either mentally retarded or physically handicapped and incapable of self-support may continue to be covered under the Plan regardless of age if the condition exists and coverage is in effect when the child reaches the age of 26.  The handicap must be medically certified by the child’s doctor and may be verified annually by BCBSNC. 

Enrolling/Making Changes

Employees have 30 days from the date of a qualifying life event or 30 days from their date of hire to enroll or make changes to their health insurance policies. Otherwise, employees can only make changes during our annual open enrollment period.

Qualifying Life Events 

If you experience a qualifying life event, you must make changes to your health policy within 30 days of the event.  Any change that you make must be consistent with your qualifying event. 

Qualifying events include, but are not limited to:

• Marriage, divorce, or legal separation,  
• Birth or adoption (or placement of adoption) of a child,  
• Death of a covered dependent  
• Loss or gain of eligibility for insurance coverage for you or a covered  
• Change in full-time student status  

If you experience a qualifying event, you must notify Human Resources at (910) 937-1363 and provide documentation within 30 days of the event to update your benefit selections.  You will need to present documentation, such as a marriage, birth, or death certificate, divorce decree, or eligibility of loss or gain of other coverage.  If you miss the 30 day deadline, then you will need to wait until the Open Enrollment period to make changes to your policies.

Open Enrollment 

Open Enrollment is held annually each May.  All Onslow County Government employees will be notified directly of an upcoming open enrollment period before it begins.  If you wish to make changes or enroll in a benefit program, you will be able to do so during this time.