“By supporting the SAFEchild Advocacy Center, we’re investing in North Carolina’s most important resource, our children,” said Kathy Higgins, BCBSNC vice president of corporate affairs. “The fantastic team at the Advocacy Center goes above and beyond to create a healing environment, and each staff member plays an important role in the health of our kids and our community.”

Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina (BCBSNC) announced today that it will host the 2013 dotBlue conference. The annual symposium focuses on using the latest digital and web strategies to address the health insurance industry’s most pressing challenges.

Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina has recognized nine hospitals in North Carolina with a Blue Distinction Center+ SM designation for delivering quality and cost-efficient cardiac care, as part of the Blue Distinction Centers for Specialty Care® program.

“Since 2012, our GO NC! initiative has worked with organizations across the state to increase access to greenways and public bicycles. We’re thrilled to expand this work to support creative and passionate youth who are keyed into new and exciting ways to promote healthy lifestyles in our state,” said Kathy Higgins, BCBSNC vice president of corporate affairs.

BCBSNC is in full compliance with all Federal and State laws and guidelines designed to protect our customers’ health information and we have numerous outside audits to confirm our adherence to HIPAA. We require the same of our business partners. ...

“The fact that Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina exceeded the federal requirement for health care spending in 2012 means that we spend at least an extra $260 million on our customer’s health care in contrast to our competitors who are issuing rebates,” said Brad Wilson, CEO and president of BCBSNC.

Approximately 1.2 million individuals in North Carolina1 will soon be making a decision about health care coverage. Recognizing health care reform is complex and the changes impact everyone differently, Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina ...

“Even if you have good health insurance, the cost of a serious health crisis can mean prolonged stress and hardship for many families,” said Sean Kerns, vice president at Mosaic Group. “Supplemental insurance can help offset out-of-pocket costs, lost wages and day-to-day living expenses, allowing customers to focus on getting better.”

“This is a heartening example of the medical community and an insurance company working collaboratively so that patients benefit from the best possible treatment plans for cancer care,” said Don Bradley, M.D., senior vice president and chief medical officer for BCBSNC. “Plans like these can minimize testing and treatments that lack proven medical benefit, improve patients’ experience with the health care system, and in turn reduce medical costs for patients.”

“North Carolina businesses have shown their commitment to providing their employees with the support and tools to get fit,” said Sean Kerns, BCBSNC vice president of Specialty Markets. “Through the Get Fit Challenge, employees worked as a team to improve their fitness levels, get healthy and lose almost seven tons of weight. This effort has jump started new behaviors and habits that will help employees improve their quality of life and reduce their health care spending over time.”