Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina will issue $200 million in health and wellness retail cards to members over the next two months.
Blue Cross NC subscribers can expect to receive retail cards with balances of between $100 and $500, depending on their enrollment level.
Eligible members are people subscribed to individual plans for those under the age of 65, as well as those in fully insured employer plans. The company expects to mail the cards out between October 19 and November 7.
The cards are meant to be used to help pay for health-related expenses such as over-the-counter medications, food, first aid supplies, and more, during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.
The cards are being funded by money received following litigation regarding the Affordable Care Act temporary risk corridor program, which provided a backstop on any losses insurers might have incurred when the ACA was introduced.
Blue Cross NC says remaining funds from the program are being used to help keep rates lower for many of its customers.
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