Blue Cross NC announces prices for PPACA plans

By AP Staff Writer

September 06, 2013 at 09:41 AM

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CHAPEL HILL, N.C. (AP) — North Carolina's largest health insurer is telling consumers how much it will charge individuals under terms of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act.

Blue Cross and Blue Shield North Carolina announced Thursday that it will offer 26 plans on the health insurance exchange. Prices will range from as little as $145.18 for a 25-year-old subscriber to one of two catastrophic plans, up to nearly $594 for one of six plans for a 60-year-old.

A news release from the provider said catastrophic plans will have higher deductibles and will be available for consumers under age 30 and those who get what is described as "hardship exemptions."

Blue Cross has opened at least a half-dozen offices across the state to educate people about the ACA. It will begin enrollment in October.

"The ACA will make coverage available to many who have never had it and will enhance benefits for most consumers. These are good things, but they come at a cost," said Patrick Getzen, BNBSNC vice president and chief actuary.

"After the impact of subsidies, we expect about two-thirds of our individual customers will see the amount they pay for coverage increase similar to previous years – or they may pay less," Getzen said. "The remaining one-third of our customers will see fairly substantial increases due to the requirements of the ACA."

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