Group Health Plans for Businesses

Plans and Programs Designed to Fit Your Employees' Needs

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Local Group: Companies with 50 or fewer full-time employees

Do you have 51 or more employees? 

Request a quote     or browse the topics below to learn more.

Local Group Plan Type & Network

The larger the network, the more doctors and drugstores there are in that network. Larger networks tend to have fewer limits when you need to find a doctor or prescription drugs. But, it also means the health plan may cost more.

Keep in mind that even though we offer out-of-network coverage, you'll save the most money when you see a doctor or visit a pharmacy in your plan's network.
 

Blue Options

  • Largest Provider Network
  • Integrated Rx Drug Benefit
  • Available in All 100 Counties
network map for Blue Options
 

Blue Value

  • Limited Provider and Hospital Network
  • Lower Monthly Cost
  • Limited County Availability
network map for Blue Value
 

Blue Local

with Atrium Health
  • Smaller, Local Network
  • Lower Monthly Premiums
  • Integrated Atrium Health Providers for Quality Care

network map for Blue Local with Atrium Health

Blue Local 

with Wake Forest Baptist Health
  • Smaller, Local Network
  • Lower Monthly Premiums
  • Integrated Wake Forest Baptist Health Providers for Quality Care

network map for Blue Local Wake Forest

Local Group Dual Options

Dual-Option Plans

If you have 10 or more employees on your benefit plan, you may offer your employees the ability to choose between two plans3 for the benefits that best suit their needs. All you have to do is establish your base plan and choose another plan from our many options. Often employers choose a buy-up option for their employees who need or want more benefits.

  • Employer contribution - Set your contribution to your premium as a  fixed dollar amount or fixed percentage for the base plan. Employees who want the richer benefit plan option can choose to buy up to that plan. Your cost stays the same.
  • Broad choice of plan designs - As your business needs change, you'll be able to adjust your plan choices year-to-year and keep your coverage with Blue Cross NC. 

HRAs

Take more control of your health care budget with a fund-based health plan. Our HRA offers several funding options (first dollar, last dollar, shared bridge and modified bridge). You can also pro-rate contributions for employees who join mid-plan.

Benefits:

  • You may offer a lower-cost plan with a higher deductible, and provide an HRA fund to offset the deductible
  • You may reinvest unspent HRA funds in your company
  • You have an opportunity to reduce costs, since employees will have an incentive to make more informed decisions about their health care

Balanced Funding

The balanced funding4 option offers groups with at least 20 eligible employees the advantages of a self-funding plan with the financial protection and predictable monthly payments of a fully insured plan.

Benefits:

  • Potential savings that can come from self-funding
  • Predictable monthly rates, similar to a fully insured plan
  • Integrated stop-loss coverage for protection against high-dollar claims
  • Money-back opportunity - with balanced funding, Blue Cross NC will refund a portion of your claims surplus if you renew your coverage

Local Group Dental Plans

Dental insurance is flexible, affordable - and something your employees likely want.

Choose dental-only coverage or add it to an existing health plan. When you combine a dental plan with your group medical insurance, you get:

  • One source of simplified administration
  • One point of contact
  • One bill and one place to update employee eligibility and changes
  • Consolidated dental information about your employees so case managers can evaluate overall health
  • Access to dentists in all 50 states through our national network

Learn more about our Dental Plans.

Dental Blue®

  • Same benefit levels in- and out-of-network*
  • Annual deductible
  • Broad national network
  • Visit any dentist*
  • Traditional and Rollover plan designs
  • Up to two (2) cleanings & exams per benefit period
  • Single ID card with medical

Dental Blue Select® (Shelf-Rated)

  • Same benefit levels in- and out-of-network*
  • Lifetime deductible
  • Broad national network
  • Visit any dentist*
  • Standard, Complete and Enhanced plans
  • Up to two (2) cleanings & exams per benefit period**
  • Single ID card with medical

Dental Care Resource Center

The Dental Care Resource Center has the information and tools you need to get a healthy smile. Read helpful articles, get tips for good dental health, check symptoms or find answers to frequently asked questions.

Visit Our Dental Care Resource Center

* Non-participating providers may bill members the balance for amounts higher than what is allowed for out-of-network.
** The Standard plan includes one cleaning & exam per benefit period.

Local Group Vision Plans

Blue 20/20 Vision Plans to Meet Your Employees’ Needs

Our Blue 20/20 plans offer your employees a wide network of vision options. They can choose from independent eye doctors or retail chains and online vision products. Each of our plans has unique features along with great coverage for both in and out-of-network benefits. Plus, no ID card is needed for in-network vision care.

You can choose between employer-paid or voluntary coverage. And, if you purchase with a medical plan, you’ll get one bill and one enrollment to save you time!

Learn more about our vision plans.

Choose from Three Flexible Plan Options:

Blue 20/20 Exam Only Blue 20/20 Exam Plus           

Blue 20/20 Lens and Frame Only
Coverage for routine comprehensive eye exams Coverage for routine comprehensive eye exams No coverage for routine comprehensive eye exams
  Coverage for lenses or contact lenses, and frames.  No frame formularies Coverage for contact lenses or complete glasses (frames, standard lenses and lens options in one purchase.) No frame formularies
Additional In-network Savings

 

 
Discounts for glasses (up to 40% off) 40% off additional complete sets of glasses at any in-network location anytime during the benefit year 40% off additional complete sets of glasses at any in-network location anytime during the benefit year
Discounts for Lasik or PRK Discounts for Lasik or PRK Discounts for Lasik or PRK
  20% off non-covered items including non-prescription sunglasses 20% off non-covered items including non-prescription sunglasses
  20% off any remaining balance above your frame allowance 20% off any remaining balance above your frame allowance
Special offers on Blue Connect for discounts on frames and lenses, contacts, and other vision services and items Special offers on Blue Connect for discounts on frames and lenses, contacts, and other vision services and items Special offers on Blue Connect for discounts on frames and lenses, contacts, and other vision services and items

 

Local Group Health & Wellness

Blue Connect℠ Member Site

Log in or register on Blue Connect

Blue Connect is your personal guide to the tools you need to manage your health plan and health care. You can:

  • View your deductible, claims and benefits in an instant
  • Access important documents like your digital ID card no matter where you are.
  • Get health tips, articles and videos on everything from weight loss to prescription costs to dental health.
     

Log In or Register

Blue Rewards Program

Our Wellness Programs - pdf

Our Blue Rewards program encourages participation in activities that can improve your employee’s health and wellbeing. Rewards come in the form of gift cards for activities like registering for Blue Connect, sharing  contact preferences or participating in a condition care or care management program.






 

Blue Rewards (PDF)

Blue365® Health & Wellness Discounts

Learn more about Blue365

Blue365 gives you access to savings across all aspects of your life– including 20 percent off on Fitbit devices and over $800 off Lasik, discounts on healthy, organic meal delivery services like Sun Basket, and much more!5






 

Blue365

Preventive Care Covered Services

Our Preventive Care Services

In-network preventive care is covered at 100%. Our Preventive Care Services List shows you which services and prescriptions are considered preventive and covered at 100%.


 

Preventive Care Services

Health Line Blue℠ Nurse Line

Learn more about Health Line Blue

Health Line Blue connects you to a trained nurse, 24/7, to get your health questions answered.6




 

Health Line Blue

Prime Therapeutics Prescriptions by Mail

Prime Mail Overview - pdf

Prime Therapeutics Prescriptions by Mail delivers a 90-day supply of medications by mail. No driving. No waiting.



 

Prime Overview (PDF)

Local Group ACA Requirements

Based on your company size, you may be subject to a penalty if you choose not to offer your employees health insurance.7 But you may be eligible for Small Business Health Care Tax credits if you have fewer than 25 full-time employees.8

More information is available through the Health Insurance Marketplace at healthcare.gov.

Local Group Insurance Form

We'd like to help you make the right choice for your business. Please fill out the following form, and we'll get in touch with you.

Use this form for less than 51 full-time employees.

Use this form for more than 50 full-time employees.

U20826

  • 1.

    Certain preventive care services are covered at 100% before deductible when received in an in-network office or outpatient setting. Other covered services may be subject to deductible and coinsurance. When you receive preventive care out-of-network, you may pay more. Visit BlueCrossNC.com/preventive for a full list of preventive services.

  • 2.

    Covered in more than 200 countries and territories worldwide through BlueCard® program. Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association. Not all plans have statewide coverage and not all plans are available in all counties.

  • 3.

    Covered in more than 200 countries and territories worldwide through BlueCard® program. Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association. Not all plans have statewide coverage and not all plans are available in all counties.

  • 4.

    Special conditions apply. Please contact us at small.business@bcbsnc.com for more details.

  • 5.

    Blue365 offers access to savings on items that Members may purchase directly from independent vendors, which are different from items that are covered under the policies with Blue Cross NC. The Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association may receive payments from Blue365 vendors. Neither Blue Cross NC nor the Blue Cross Blue Shield Association recommends, endorses, warrants or guarantees any specific Blue365 vendor or item. This program may be modified or discontinued at any time without prior notice. This program is provided by BCBSA and not Blue Cross NC.

  • 6.

    Blue Cross NC offers Healthy Outcomes programs as a convenience to aid you in improving your health; results are not guaranteed. Blue Cross NC contracts with Optum, an independent third party vendor, for the provision of certain aspects of Healthy Outcomes programs and is not liable in any way for goods or services received from Optum. Optum does not provide Blue Cross and Blue Shield products or services. Blue Cross NC reserves the right to discontinue or change Healthy Outcomes programs at any time. The programs are educational in nature, and are intended to help you make informed decisions about your health, and to help you comply with your doctor's plan of care. Decisions regarding your care should be made with the advice of your doctor.

  • 7.

    Consult your legal or tax advisor for guidance.

  • 8.

    Final determination of eligibility and/or amount of Small Business Health Care Tax credits can only be obtained through the Health Insurance Marketplace.