Tools Available to Help BCBSNC Customers Meet Their 2011 New Year's Resolutions

CHAPEL HILL, N.C. – As the new year approaches, many North Carolinians are preparing to make changes that can positively impact their personal health. Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina’s (BCBSNC) Member Health Partnerships ^SM1 program offers customers customized benefits, materials and resources to help them achieve healthier lifestyles.

 

“The beginning of a new year is the perfect time to evaluate your health and wellness habits, and to look for ways to make positive changes,” said Dr. Don Bradley, BCBSNC chief medical officer. “Member Health Partnerships, which helped more than 45,000 new program participants in 2010, provides customers with access to customized care tools and information. This supports their efforts to manage their overall health and unique health conditions.”

 

Through Member Health Partnerships, customers can manage specific health conditions or risk factors including pregnancy, asthma, diabetes, migraines, fibromyalgia, heart disease and tobacco cessation.

 

“We understand that making a lifestyle change is a big step for many of our customers. We hope customers will use the tools available through Member Health Partnerships to help meet their health goals in 2011,” said Bradley. “Steps that customers take to improve their personal health not only lead to healthier lifestyles, but also contribute to lower medical costs, which helps keep health care accessible and affordable.”

 

Customers interested in the Member Health Partnerships smoking cessation program can receive materials with tips focused on setting a quit date, advice on coping with cravings and weight gain, and information about medications that may help customers quit smoking. Participants also receive discounts on over-the-counter nicotine replacement therapy, and can elect to receive supportive messaging via email or automated calls.

 

The Member Health Partnerships Achieving a Healthy Weight program provides customers access to free educational materials that can help them manage their weight and track calories. Members also receive a step counter and may opt for emails or automated phone calls with helpful messages and information. BCBSNC also covers nutrition counseling, and customers pay no copayment for these visits with an in-network  dietitian.   During visits, customers learn how to: make healthy choices when eating out, pick the best portion sizes, read food labels, choose healthy recipes and build a well-balanced meal plan.

 

Customers can enroll in BCBSNC’s Member Health Partnerships program by logging into the Member Services page at bcbsnc.com and typing “partnerships” into the search box, or by calling (800) 218-5295 and selecting option 1. A tailored version of the program is also available for children. Benefits available through the Member Health Partnerships program are subject to a member’s current benefit plan. This benefit is not available to members enrolled in the State Health Plan or Federal Employee Program. BCBSNC reserves the right to change the program at any time.

 

 

Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina is a leader in delivering innovative health care products, services and information to more than 3.7 million members, including approximately 900,000 served on behalf of other Blues Plans. For 77 years, the company has served its customers by offering health insurance at a competitive price and has served the people of North Carolina through support of community organizations, programs and events that promote good health. Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina is an independent licensee of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association. Access BCBSNC online at bcbsnc.com.

 

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