As of October 1, people who do not have access to job-based health insurance can start shopping for subsidized private policies through Health Care Exchanges. In North Carolina these are being run by the federal government. Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Carolina (BCBSNC) and Coventry Health Care are the two companies offering plans on the state exchange. Information is available at www.healthcare.gov website. With media reports that there may be computer glitches to work through, some people may want to wait and see how the exchanges work before signing up. They can wait as late as Dec. 15 and still get coverage by Jan. 1.

The North Carolina Medical Society (NCMS) is preparing a one-page document that outlines everything that our members need to know about the Affordable Care Act implementation. This guide will be distributed at our Annual Meeting on Oct. 25-26 in Raleigh. Register now online for the Annual Meeting..