 
The National Association of Socially Responsible Organizations (NASRO) is a non-profit Co-op founded by health care consultant Robert Gaw, that is working hard for you and is able to recommend the best plans for non-profits and small group that are available in North Carolina at a more affordable rate.
NASRO is more than just a broker, more than just a consultant. NASRO is an advocate for the health care consumer.
If you are preparing for your annual health plan renewal, starting a new business, are currently on an expensive COBRA plan from a previous job, expanding operations in North Carolina, or just need to lower your monthly health insurance costs then you need to know more about NASRO. You are not alone, we can help you. We have worked hard for decades to help establish a more humane health care system in North Carolina. There is still much work to be done in North Carolina. NASRO is helping to make sure that all the health plan options available in the state are communicated professionally. If you have a question or a problem please call us. We can offer advice on a wide range of health care subjects beyond health insurance rates.
If after looking at the quotes you have questions about the benefits of the plans or the enrollment application process please give us a call. We can help you complete the on line applications and prepare you to answer the questions you will be asked.
North Carolina NASRO Members Include
- Artists
- Actors
- Graphic Designers
- Film Makers
- Accountants
- Lawyers
- Medical Providers
- Writers
- Musicians
- Computer Software Developers
- Skilled Trades People
- Teachers
- Green Businesses
- Independent Truckers
- Business Consultants
- Automotive Parts and Repair Shops
- Social Workers
- Photographers
Short Cuts for Individuals and Families
For Individuals and Families paying for their own plan it is important not to wait until you have a medical condition before you purchase health insurance. Once you have a medical condition, even a minor one, as inhuman as it seems, the health insurance companies can turn you down and refuse to provide any coverage.
If you recently have had group coverage from a previous employer, you have 63 days after the end of your group plan to pick up an individual plan and not be subject to medical underwriting.
Since age rating is the only option, the younger you are the more affordable the health plans are. The older you are the more the premium costs go up. Young families may actually be able to afford more coverage to protect their children and older individuals who are healthy can find plans that provide good access to routine physicals, unlimited sick visits and prescription drug coverage and carry a larger deductible for the less likely to occur inpatient admissions.
Below is an example of one plan, but we suggest you try are on line system for quick and easy access to many plan options, provider look up information and on line fast sign up by filling out an on line application.
The Immoral Practice of Pre-Existing Conditions Underwriting and Individual Health Insurance
NASRO believes strongly that the fast growing number of individuals who need a health insurance plan in North Carolina should be provided the right to buy the same health insurance plans for the same price, as anyone else, with their own money. We believe it is a sin for health insurance companies to " play God " with the lives of people. Turning down people with any form of illness large or small is severely limiting their economic lives.
Help with some COBRA premium costs provided in the recent "stimulus bill ", is great for people who work for large employers, but most people do not work for large employers. Unemployment could rise reach 10% in North Carolina by the end of 2009 and prudent financial planning needs to be made now.
NASRO does not yet have a group plan in North Carolina that will accept individuals that have been turned down for coverage. We are working for a new National Health Care law to accomplish this mission. In the meantime, we will assist any self employed person in North Carolina that needs to know how to qualify for group coverage right now.
NASRO Personal Service
What People Are Saying About Us!
" I have nothing but praise for the good folks at NASRO ( National Association of Socially Responsible Organizations ). If you've ever dealt with insurance providers, you know that the usual goal of the person who answers the phone is to say " no " and hang up as quickly as possible. My experience with Barbara Gibson at NASRO could not have been more different.
She actually did the math on whether it would be better for me to stick with COBRA for 18 months before switching to the NASRO plan. The one time I actually had a problem with coverage for a medical condition, she not only straightened it out, but remembered to ask me if I was feeling better after the procedure.
Deborah Elizabeth Finn
P. S. Full disclosure. NASRO does not compensate me in any way for praising it immoderately. I am just a fan."
NASRO Members Include
- Community Builders Worker Cooperative
- Jobs with Justice
- Act Blue
- Women In Film and Video
- Alliance to Defend Health Care
- Health Care For All
- National Pancreas Foundation
- Working Assets
Affordable Individual Health Insurance Plans
Anthem Blue Cross
of North Carolina
Anthem Blue Cross Life and Health
Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina
Aetna
Humana
Celtic
WellPath Select
United HealthCare
CIGNA
CIGNA Individual & Families Brochure
CIGNA Open Access Plan Comparison
CIGNA Health Savings Account Plans
Affordable Health Insurance Plans for Small Business and Non-Profits
Anthem Blue Cross of North Carolina
BlueCross and Blue Shield of North Carolina
Humana
Celtic
Aetna
North Carolina Plan Guide
United Healthcare
CIGNA
WellPath Select
Affordable Group Dental Insurance Plans
Metropolitan Dental
Delta Dental
Anthem Blue Cross
Blue Shield of North Carolina
Coventry
Group Vision Plans
VSP Signature Plan
VSP Specialty Care
VSP Voluntary Plan
Term Life Insurance Plans
Find Out the Rates and Apply On Line for Term Life Coverage
NASRO does not recommend Life Insurance as an investment tool, but for basic protection for a spouse and dependent children it remains an important part of prudent financial planning. In the event of an untimely death, income for the family to continue on with the basic needs being met can be achieved for a modest monthly premium.
Carriers
Banner Life
West Coast Life
Lincoln Benefit Life
American General
United of Omaha Life
Nationwide Life
Genworth Financial
Short Term & Long Term Disability Insurance
Metropolitan Life Insurance Company
UNUM Life Insurance Company
West Coast Life Insurance Company
See through the mist and confusion surrounding health insurance plans with the help of a recognized non-profit like NASRO.
NASRO Eastern Office
Two Canal Park, Fifth Floor
Cambridge, Massachusetts
02141
617-308-1525
NASRO Washington D.C. Office
3204 18th Street N.W.
Washington D.C. 20010
800-638-8113
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NASRO of North Carolina News
Friday, August 19, 2011
Employers Expect Rise in Health Costs
Large U.S. employers expect their health care costs to increase by an average of 7.2% next year, according to a according to a survey by the National Business Group on Health, Modern Healthcare reports (Daly, Modern Healthcare, 8/18).
The increase is slightly less than the 7.4% mean increase for health care costs that the companies reported for this year. However, the new figure "is on a higher base, and it still outpaces the economy's anemic growth and business conditions," according to NBGH President and CEO Helen Darling (Reichard, CQ HealthBeat, 8/18).
According to the survey, more than half of businesses plan to pass at least some of the extra costs to workers. Darling said employers are shifting away from copayments, where workers pay a fixed dollar amount for health services, and instead are charging workers a percentage of the total costs. This makes employees more aware of the total cost of health care they use, The Hill's "Healthwatch" reports.
Darling said shifting from copayments to the coinsurance model is "a more subtle way to increase what the consumer pays." She said that eventually only governments and unions likely will offer fixed copayments (Baker, "Healthwatch," The Hill, 8/18).
Darling said the federal health reform law has contributed to rising costs. She attributed one full percentage point of the increase to a provision allowing young adults to stay on their parents' insurance until age 26. She said, "I think that most employers didn't think that (the requirement) was a good idea," noting that individuals with jobs and substantial benefits can stay on their parents' insurance to avoid more cost-sharing (CQ HealthBeat, 8/18).
According to Darling, the financial strain of the ongoing increases in health care costs has created "an unsustainable model for our country" (Modern Healthcare, 8/18).
Educate Yourself
• NASRO's mission in health care particularly concerns the situation facing small businesses, non-profits, individuals, self employed people and independent contractors.
Please read this excellent resource developed by the North Carolina Health Care Foundation and call NASRO at 800-638-8113 with any questions and for a rate proposal on the health plans you are interested in looking at.
Developing the Right Criteria For Selecting Your Next Health Plan
Right now in North Carolina if you are an individual who has a pre-existing medical condition and you are middle income the plans available for so called high risk people are beyond the financial reach of many people. If you are high income and have pre existing conditions you will be able to find a plan that you can afford. For the insurance industry to deny North Carolinians who are sick access to health insurance is a sin. Other states have provided coverage for 20 years and their insurance companies are doing well.
The size of the population of individuals in North Carolina is huge, with many hundreds of thousands of new people moving from being covered by an employer to being responsible for their own health plan throughout any year.
Rules Governing NC Individual Insurance Market
• NASRO does have individual plans available from a wide choice of carriers
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Employer groups and self employed people are now free to join NASRO at no cost. With its growing numbers NASRO is leveraging our membership to change the economics of North Carolina health insurance. Membership is confidential and not subject to distribution to any outside groups.
Contact
NASRO
800-638-8113
info@nasro-co-op.com
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