| Summer is a Great Time to Enjoy More Fruits and Vegetables | |
 The summer months mean there are abundant choices for enjoying fruits and vegetables. Eating plenty of fruits and vegetables is a good choice for weight loss and weight maintenance. They are low in calories, high in fiber and provide a sense of fullness. Remember to strive for at least five servings of fruits and vegetables each day. Click here for easy ways to increase fruits and vegetables in your diet. |
| Member Tip of the Month | |
Visit the State Health Plan Website to Learn More about Your Benefits
Did you know that the State Health Plan has a wealth of information on our website? The home page of our website, www.shpnc.org, includes current news and information about the Plan as well as updates about your health benefit and pharmacy coverage.
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| Preferred Drug List Changes | |
 The Preferred Drug List (PDL) is an important tool for understanding your pharmacy benefit. The PDL lists the medications preferred by the State Health Plan and is updated quarterly, with new generic and brand name drugs added. The PDL also lists the copay tiers for each medication. The quarterly PDL updates include medication tier changes that may affect your copay. Be sure to check the most recent version of the PDL before obtaining your next prescriptions. You may download and print the PDL from our website. Please refer to the Frequently Asked Questions for more information. Click here to review recent changes to the PDL. |
| Coverage for Dependents Between 19 and 26 | |
Law Passed Extending Coverage, Regardless of Student Status
 On March 23, 2010, President Barack Obama signed into law the Health Care and Education Reconciliation Act. The provision to allow dependents up to age 26 to remain on the Plan, regardless of student status, will take place at the Plan's first renewal following six months after the legislation was signed into law. The federal legislation will go into effect for the State Health Plan on July 1, 2011. The North Carolina General Assembly ratified House Bill 1707 which allows dependents enrolled on the Plan as of May 1, 2010 to remain on the Plan if they are under age 26, regardless of their student status. This is provided that the dependent child is not eligible for other employer-sponsored health benefit coverage as a primary beneficiary or spousal dependent. If your dependent was eligible and enrolled on the Plan as of May 1, 2010 and you made a request to remove your dependent as a result of losing full-time student status, please contact your Health Benefits Representative or Customer Service at 1-888-234-2416 to verify the process for adding your dependent back on the Plan. |
