• Federal Option Closes Enrollment - click here to download the letter.


• State Option Closes Enrollment- click here to download the letter.

The Board of Inclusive Health is pleased to present its John Friesen annual awards to recognize individuals who have made a significant contribution to the high risk pool in the last year. These awards are given to recognize the contributions to the risk pool of health insurance agents, health care providers and hospitals, and advocates.

Traditionally, the agent award has gone to the top three individuals in terms of successful applications in the prior calendar year. The 2012 recipients and Top Producer's were:

• Steven Holtzer - Contemporary Benefits Designs 146
• Ken Ubertini - Jerry Ballad & Associates, Inc. 114
• Michael Osborne - Osborne Insurance Services, Inc. 105

Steven Holtzer
This is the third year running for Steven - he was also a recipient of the award in 2010, 2011 and 2012. He is from the Charlotte area and has many office locations across the state. In 2012, Steven referred 146 individuals to Inclusive Health for both the State and Federal Options in 2012. To compare, he referred 104 individuals in 2011 and 49 in 2010. Steven is also a member of Inclusive Health and has participated in several enrollment events throughout the state and signed many individuals at these events.


Ken Ubertini
2012 is the first year that Ken has been recognized as the recipient of the John Friesen Agent Award. Ken referred 114 individuals for the State and Federal Options in 2012. He is from the Wilmington area. Ken was unable to be with us today and his award will be presented to him at the upcoming NC Health Underwriter's Association Meeting in Wilmington by Hughes Waren.


Michael Osborne
This is also the third year running as the recipient of the Agent Award for Michael. He was the Top Producer in 2010 with 61 individuals referred and was 2nd in 2011 with 101 individuals referred and referred 105 in 2012. Michael's primary line of business is with Blue Cross and Blue Shield, but he knows that when someone is denied from BC/BS, that he can refer them to Inclusive Health. He has also participated in enrollment events with Inclusive Health.

Robert Morrell, MD
Dr. Morrell is being recognized this year as the recipient of the John Friesen Award for his dedicated service on the Inclusive Health Grievance Committee. Rob is a charter member of the Grievance Committee which considers second level appeals to coverage and eligibility denials. As the Committee's only physician member, Rob is particularly valuable in interpreting the complicated clinical issues that surround the coverage decisions faced by the Committee. Rob's dedicated insight and passion has helped guide the Committee and the interests of members whose appeals have come before it, compassionately and intelligently through these reviews. We are very grateful to Rob and all of the hard working volunteer members of the Grievance Committee.

SMART NC
Smart NC is being recognized for their work with Inclusive Health applicants and members in their role as the Ombudsman for the Department of Insurance. A number have been able to turn to Smart NC for assistance over the last year with questions about their Inclusive Health application and eligibility. Smart NC has worked with Inclusive Health as a keen advocate for these individuals in ensuring prompt attention to their concerns. We are pleased to present this award to Susan Nestor, who directs Smart NC and Bianca Cogdell.