FAQs
Apply Online
Q: How can I change
my application after I've submitted it?
A: You CANNOT modify your
application once it is submitted. Please use the preview
reports to view responses PRIOR to submission.
Q: Can I submit this
form electronically?
A: Yes, at the end of the form, you will
submit your application electronically. Please do not mail
the printed version of the application.
Q: How many days will
it take for BCBSNC to process my application?
A: It generally takes about 30 days to
process your application, though processing time can vary.
If you need immediate Blue Advantage coverage, please consider
applying for Short Term coverage, as well. Short Term coverage
can be effective as soon as the day of or the day after
you submit your application.
Q: Is my information
secure?
A: Yes, the information you supply in your
online application is secure. BCBSNC respects your privacy
and has gone to extensive measures to ensure that your personal
information is safe.
Q: Will I need to
provide any additional information after submitting my application?
A: BCBSNC will contact you if we need any
additional information. Depending on many factors, BCBSNC
may ask for a simple health screening to be conducted by
a licensed examiner. In some cases, BCBSNC may ask you to
participate in a phone interview or supply medical records
from your doctor.
Q: Will the
online application guide me through all of the required
information fields?
A: Yes. You will receive an error message
if you miss a required field, and instructions will help
you with any questions you may have about how to complete
a field.
Q: Will I need to
manually sign the application?
A: No, since this application will be submitted
electronically, you are not required to manually sign the
application. However, you must provide an electronic signature
that will serve as your written signature. All applicants,
spouses and dependents age 18 and older must provide an
electronic signature.
Q: I want to buy multiple
plans. Is there one application for Short Term, Dental and
Blue Advantage?
A: At this time, you must fill out a separate
application for each plan - one for Short Term, one for
Dental and one for Blue Advantage. You can apply for each
of the plans online and sumit your applications electronically.
Q: What should I do
if I'm having problems downloading the completed application
report?
A: You must have Adobe Acrobat Reader to
view and print the completed application. If you do not
currently have this software, you can download it directly
from Adobe, free of charge.
Q: What if I'm having
problems printing the application?
A: Due to the many configurations of printers
that are available today, you should contact your printer
manufacturer's customer service department for advice.
Q: Who can I call
regarding questions about filling out this application?
A: For additional assistance with your
application, call 800-914-4220, Monday through Friday from
8:00am to 6pm to speak with a Customer Service representative.
Q: Where can I go
to learn more about BCBSNC health plans?
A: For more information about BCBSNC health
plans, visit our online Shopping section.
Q: How should I select
an effective date for coverage to begin?
A: You should select the coverage period
that best suits your health coverage needs. The effective
date varies depending on the plan you choose:
Short Term Health Care coverage
Choose your own effective date, which can be as soon as
the day after you mail your application, the day after submitting
your application online or the date that you choose as long
as it is not 30 days past your signature date.
Dental Blue
If your application is received on or before the 20th of
the month, your coverage will be effective on the first
day of the next month. If your application is received after
the 20th, coverage will take effect on the first day of
the following month. For example, coverage for an application
received May 19 will begin on June 1. Coverage for an application
received May 21 will begin July 1.
Blue Advantage
You can choose for your coverage to begin on either the
1st or 15th day of the month, following approval of your
completed application. The requested effective date must
be at least 30 days after and no more than 60 days after
the signature date.
Medicare Supplemental
Medicare Supplement plan may be effective the 1st or the
15th of the month following the applicant’s signature.
At the time of the applicant’s 65th birthday (open
enrollment), we will accept applications 6 months in advance
of the 65th birthday and until 1 month past the 65th birthday.
For applications received outside of the Medicare birthday
open enrollment period, a Medicare Supplement plan may be
effective the 1st or the 15th of the month following the
applicant’s signature date. Applications must be received
within 30 days of the signature date of the application.
For example, if an applicant signs his/her application on
July 13, an effective date of July 15 or August 1 may be
requested. An application signed July 28, may receive an
August 1 or August 15 effective date.
Q: What is a deductible?
A: A deductible is the specified dollar
amount for certain covered services that the member must
incur before benefits are payable for the remaining covered
services. The deductible does not include copayments, member
coinsurance, charges in excess of the allowed amount, amounts
exceeding any maximum and expenses for non-covered services.
Q: Can I apply for
health insurance coverage if I do not have a social security
number?
A: You must have a social security number
in order to apply for health insurance coverage.
Q: What happens if
I visit a doctor during my 10-day free trial period and
cancel my coverage within the 10 days?
A:The claim will not be paid. You will
be responsible for the total charge of the bill(s).
Q: What is maternity
coverage?
A: Maternity coverage is health coverage
related to the care and treatment of a pregnancy and delivery
of a newborn child. The maternity endorsement is only available
for females, either applicant or spouse age 18 or over,
on non-Youth-Only policies.
Q: What does it mean
to be a resident of North Carolina?
A:You are considered to be a resident of
North Carolina if you reside in North Carolina at least
6 months or more out of the year.
Q: What does "currently
covered by another health insurance plan" mean?
A: The phrase refers to whether or not
you have any other kind of health insurance coverage active
now.
Q: What does "Child
Status" mean?
A: Identify if your child is your natural,
adoptive, foster, or stepchild as determined by North Carolina
law from the date of placement in the home.
Q: What does "Handicapped
Child" mean?
A:A handicapped child is an unmarried dependent
child who is either mentally retarded or physically handicapped
and incapable of self-support. Regardless of age, a handicapped
child may continue to be covered under the health benefit
plan if the condition exists and coverage is in effect when
the child reaches the age of 19. The handicap must be medically
certified by the child's doctor and may be verified periodically
by BCBSNC.
Q: What does "Full-Time
Student" mean?
A: To be classified as a full-time student,
the dependent child must be unmarried, age 19 -26, and attend
a licensed or accredited school as a full-time student according
to the school's policies.
Q: What are all the
health questions used for?
A: These questions are used by BCBSNC to
medically evaluate your application.
Q: What is the "Hint
Question & Answer" for?
A: If you forget your password, you will
be required to answer your hint question for verification
purposes.
Q: Why am I required
to supply my email address?
A: An e-mail address is required in order
to receive your password upon correctly answering the hint
question for verification purposes.
Q: How should I select
my "Coverage Period" for Short Term insurance?
A: You should select the coverage period
that best suits your health coverage needs.
Q: What are the different
Coverage Types?
A: Self : Primary applicant that is 18
and over.
Self & Dependents : Primary applicant
that is 18 and over. Dependents must be either a spouse
or an unmarried child. Children age 19-26 must be full-time
students at an accredited university. Handicapped children
of any age may be declared as dependents.
Q: How long is my
"free-look" period?
A: For Blue Advantage, Blue Dental, and
Short Term coverage, you have a 10-day "free-look"
period. For Medicare Supplement, you have a 30-day "free-look"
period. The "free-look" period begins after you
have received your welcome kit.
Q: What happens if
I visit a doctor during my "free-look" period
and cancel my coverage within the "free-look"
period?
A: The claim will not be paid. You will
be responsible for the total charge of the bill(s).
