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Updated Tobacco Cessation Flier
The State Health Plan has updated its tobacco cessation benefits to provide greater member support for the Comprehensive Wellness Initiative. A new tobacco cessation flier detailing these benefits is available for you to print and display at your work place. |
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Coverage End Date and Terminations Reminder
Due to timing issues, not all employment changes are entered into the Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Carolina (BCBSNC) system prior to an employee's last day of coverage on the State Health Plan. Therefore, during exit interviews, it is important to remind employees of the exact date their State Health Plan coverage ends. Please explain that continued use of their State Health Plan ID card beyond their eligibility period is considered fraud, and that the former employee will be responsible for any claims dollars that are incurred beyond their eligibility period. For more information regarding coverage end date rules, see the 'When Coverage Ends' section of the State Health Plan Benefits Booklet. |
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Heartburn Prescriptions with OTC Equivalents No Longer Covered
This is a preview of an article that will appear in the January issue of Member Focus:  As of February 1, 2010, Prevacid (lansoprazole) 15mg capsules will only be covered as the OTC Prevacid ® 24HR product and brand name Prilosec (omeprazole) 20mg will only be covered as Prilosec OTC™ or omeprazole OTC. Prescription brand Prevacid 15mg capsules and generic lansoprazole capsules, as well as prescription brand Prilosec 20mg capsules, will no longer be covered under the pharmacy benefit because the same formulations are now available as OTC products. When OTC Zegerid becomes available, the equivalent prescription strength brand name and generic products will also no longer be covered.
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Benefit Changes Supporting CWI
The State Health Plan is pleased to announce benefit changes supporting the Comprehensive Wellness Initiative (CWI) that begins on July 1, 2010. The State Health Plan encourages members to participate in tobacco cessation and weight management efforts and is making tools and resources available to increase members' opportunities for success.
Click here to review the enhanced benefits supporting CWI. |
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COBRA Subsidy Extension On December 21, 2009, President Obama signed the Department of Defense Appropriations Act, 2010 (DDAA) extending the COBRA premium subsidy originally established under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA).
Click here to read more. |
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H1N1 Flu Shot Clinics
 The State of North Carolina has lifted priority group restrictions for the H1N1 vaccine in all NC counties. Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina (BCBSNC), in cooperation with the State Health Plan, is now accepting requests for on-site H1N1 Flu Shot clinics. Maxim Healthcare Services, a vendor of BCBSNC, will send a team of nurses to worksites and provide H1N1 flu shots to employees, retirees and dependents who are covered by the State Health Plan and/or BCBSNC. Maxim can accommodate all H1N1 clinic requests, so please submit your clinic request as soon as possible so that they may route vaccines to your area quickly.
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Reminder for Employees to Remove December Graduates
State employees have 30 days to remove a dependent from State Health Plan coverage after the dependent graduates from college and is no longer a full time student. Coverage under the State Health Plan ceases the last day of the month in which a child no longer meets the eligibility requirements as a dependent.
Continued health coverage is available through COBRA if the election is made within 60 days after receiving the COBRA enrollment information. Detailed information regarding COBRA can be found in the Benefit Booklet under the "Continuation Coverage Rights Under COBRA" section.
If a dependent is not removed from the State Health Plan within 30 days of the change in status, the employee will not be reimbursed for any premiums paid after that month. Also, because the dependent was ineligible for State Health Plan coverage, any claims paid after eligibility ended will be the responsibility of the employee. | |
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