Long Term Care Insurance Shopper's Guide

If you are interested in learning more about long term care insurance, we are making available a free download of A Shopper's Guide To Long Term Insurance prepared by the National Association of Insurance Commissioners.  This guide provides detailed information about the need for long-term care insurance.  The booklet contains 76 pages of information about it's cost, how benefits are paid and what services are covered.

Click Here To Get Your Copy.

Long Term Care Insurance: The 3 Big Myths

Most people have heard of Long Term Care Insurance but surprisingly only a small percentage of Americans have it. There are 3 big myths that we believe keeps individuals from purchasing this very important coverage. With this video we want to explain why these myths are simply not the true facts.

The Major Retirement Expense You May Not Have Thought Of

At least 70% of people over the age of 65 will need long-term care in their lifetime, according to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

Just let that sink in for a moment. Even if you're in great health now, odds are you'll need long-term care at some point. Have you planned for it? You should, because it could be one of the biggest threats facing your retirement.

The cost of long-term careLong-term care is far more expensive than many people realize. According to Genworth Financial, in California, the average cost for a day healthcare facility is about $20,000 per year, while a home health aide costs an average of $53,000 and the average private nursing-home room costs over $100,000 annually.

Consider insuranceIf you don't have a significant asset base, you should consider long-term care insurance, especially given that health insurance plans generally cover limited types and dollar amounts of long-term care.

For example, most health insurance will only cover up to 100 days of skilled nursing that follows a recent hospitalization for a related condition. That means you're on the hook for the rest.
From this perspective, long-term care insurance starts to look really attractive, especially considering that seven out of 10 Americans could make use of it.

If you're thinking of buying a policy, then don't delay. The older you get, the more expensive you are to insure, therefore stalling defeats the purpose of the insurance. And if your health takes a turn for the worst, you may be ineligible for coverage. In fact, 45% of long-term care insurance applicants are denied coverage. That number rises to 66% for those 80 and over. So, even though it's an extra cost now, getting a policy while you're relatively young and healthy could pay huge dividends later on when you really need it. 

SOURCE:  The Motley Fool, Feb. 8, 2014 (Click Here For The Full Article)

Assisting Latinos With HCR Enrollment

Many in the Latino community are confused by the process of applying for health care reform subsidies and purchasing health insurance from the NC Health Insurance Exchange.  Carolina Insurance Market offers bilingual enrollment agents at their office at 4740 Old Pineville Road in Charlotte, NC.  (Across from the Woodlawn Road Blue Line Station)

These experienced insurance professionals can assist members of the community in determining their options from the 3 insurance companies and over 60 plans offered in the N.C. Health Insurance Exchange.  Call 704-896-1818 for more information.

Happy Veterans Day

Thank you all that served

Carolina Insurnace Market Opens Second Location

Carolina Insurance Market will have a second location for the 2015 Open Enrollment period that starts November 15, 2014.  This location will be located at


4740 Old Pineville Road Charlotte 28217  Across from the Lynx Train Station


We will also be returning to our Franklin Square location in Gastonia next to Wal-Mart.


Both locations will have Spanish speaking agents.

Open Enrollment Starts November 15

The NC Health Exchange opens up on Saturday November 15th.  If you are currently enrolled you will need to update your information in order to make sure that you are getting the most up to date subsidy.


Contact Carolina Insurance Market to help you with your update and explain the new options that are available.  Our services are no cost to you.

Open Enrollment 2015

Open Enrollment start November 15th and runs through February 15th.  If you want your coverage to start/continue you must have your enrollment completed by  December 15th.

68 Days Left to Enroll! Know the Penalties

To get a better idea of what your penalties might look like if you're not enrolled by March 31st, check out this link:

http://www.healthinsurance.org/learn/obamacare-penalty-calculator/

Carolina Health Insurance Market

Insurance Cards

Insurance ID cards have been a lingering issue due to the high number of individuals rushing to the marketplace before January 1st's deadline. Today, we received news that both insurance companies are focusing their attention on sending new enrollees their ID cards as soon as possible. It is reported that Coventry is sending out ID cards as individuals become enrolled. On the other side, Blue Cross Blue Shield is reportedly sending out a large percentage of ID cards, Thursday and Friday, January 9th and 10th, if they have not already been received. Individual who have not yet received their ID cards, and are quickly requiring doctor visits can print their ID cards online at each of the respective insurance company's websites.

Carolina Health Insurance Market
Assisting individuals purchase affordable and effective insurance.

Obamacare Sign-Up Numbers

This past Sunday, the Obama Administration reported that 1.1 million individuals have signed-up for health plans available through Obamacare's exchanges. This number is a drastic increases from the dismal 100,000 reported to have signed up at the end of November. Consumers must remember that "signing-up" is not the same as "enrolling." To be "enrolled," the insurance company must have received payment from the prospective individual. It is uncertain how many individuals are actually enrolled in qualified health plans, even though sign-up numbers have been announced. Citizens are also concerned with the type of individuals enrolled and signed-up already. The entire Obamacare system requires there to be a balance of health and unhealthy individuals in order for the exchanges to continue to work properly and premiums to remain stable. Although this information is vital to the future effects and implementations of Obamacare, it is yet to be revealed.

Carolina Health Insurance Market
Assisting individuals purchase affordable and effective insurance.

Obamacare's Deadlines

Dec. 23.- Last day that insurers are required to accept enrollments for coverage that begins on Jan. 1.

Dec. 31- Payment is due to the insurance plan for a January 1st effective date.

Shoppers will need sign up by the 15th in order for it to take effect the following month. In January, for example, shoppers will need to enroll in coverage by Jan. 15 for it to take effect in February.

March 31- Open enrollment ends.

Carolina Health Insurance Market
Assisting individuals purchase affordable and effective insurance.

Confirming Enrollment Status

Individuals within the marketplace are being urged to confirm their enrollment status after their desired plan has been chosen. Although participants in the exchange might choose a plan, the coverage will not being until payment has been received and cleared. Agents and navigators are continuing to remind consumers that choosing a plan is not the final step, and follow up is necessary. Some individuals are further required to submit additional documentation through the government website. After a plan is chosen and all documentation is submitted, individuals are required to submit payment. Remember to follow up with your local agency or contact your insurance provider to confirm receipt of payment and the date coverage will begin.

Carolina Health Insurance Market
Assisting individuals purchase affordable and effective insurance.

Obamacare Data Releasing This Week

The Obama Administration plans on releasing up to date healthcare enrollment numbers this week. Of course, pressure is building from outside sources to better understand the number of participants still left to enroll before the deadline of March 31. Numbers should also determine the demographics of which individuals are successfully enrolling and those that are seeking plans on the exchange. It is said that the data will also provide information on which plans are being purchased. Before the October 1  release, it was anticipated that around 500,000 Americans would be enrolled in October, and 700,000 in November. No reports or comments have been released with regard to these numbers.

Dental Insurance Quote

Individuals looking for dental insurance information can now visit carolinahealthinsurancemarket.com for a free quote. Affordable dental plans are available for individuals of all ages. Please visit our website for more information.

Carolina Health Insurance Market Mobile Website

We've now update our website for all of our mobile users.

Check out our website on your smart phone and other devices to learn more about Health Care Reform.

NC Health Exchange Updates

The federal exchange website has been experiencing several problems with individuals logging in and completing the application process. The federal government is asking individual to be patient with the system's technical problems. Government officials report that the system is functioning properly; however, due to the high volume of traffic, users are experiencing issues when visiting the exchange. These occurrences should be fixed shortly with traffic slowly calming down, and increased support from the government.

Within the exchange, Bronze plans are optimal for those earning between 200% to 250% of the poverty level. These plans are available at no cost- giving individuals a great opportunity to take advantage of the options available through the federal exchange.

Health Sign-up Delayed for Small Business

In the latest Affordable Care Act new's updates, it has been released that small businesses in 36 states , including North Carolina and South Carolina, can't enroll their workers into health coverage until November 1st. Technological issues are being cited as the main cause for these delays, specifically in the Small Business Health Option, also known as SHOP. SHOP, the online insurance marketplace designed specifically for small employers, will still allow employers and employees to view available health plans on October 1st, but not enroll until November 1st. 

North Carolina Health Insurance Exchange Update

First Carolina Care will not be participating in the North Carolina Health Insurance Exchange, leaving only two providers. More news to come.

Health Care 'Data Hub' Updates

For months, the government has been under increasing downward pressure to complete the data hub that will ensure consumers a quick and safe enrollment process come October 1st. The chief technology officer of the United States, Todd Park, announced this past Tuesday that the system has successfully completed security testing. This test comes weeks earlier than the previously anticipated completion date of September 30th, just one day before the exchanges are expected to open. The system will verify Social Security numbers, immigration status, and an array of other information that will enable consumers to purchase health plans and qualify for subsidies in real time. This information is gathered through a number of federal agencies including the Internal Revenue Service and Department of Homeland Security. Still, with the test complete, many individuals are worrying about the hurried nature of the system's construction and the potential threat of mishaps and outside hacks occurring on October 1st. Administration officials are responding to these comments by issuing statements confirmation the rigorous tests being issued prior to October 1st, and that only qualified individuals are being given access to the information the system contains.