Weight Loss Medication Management

In 2012, it is expected that the first new medications to treat obesity in 10 years will be approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). These new medications appear to be effective. However, there will be certain patients who should not take these medications, and all patients should review precautions for use due to side effects. Also, as with the older weight loss medications, therapy has been shown to be more effective when used in conjunction with diet, exercise and/or behavior modification. Before deciding to start therapy with any weight loss medication, there needs to be a provider-patient discussion of the drugs' side effects, the lack of long-term safety data, and the temporary nature of the weight loss achieved with medications. read more...

Active Employees with Medicare Eligible Spouses - Who Pays First?

Active employees with Medicare eligible spouses on their plan may have questions about whether or not the spouse needs to purchase Medicare Part B. As long as the employee is actively working, the State Health Plan will pay as primary whether or not the dependent is Medicare eligible. The only exception is when the spouse is Medicare eligible due to End Stage Renal Disease (ESRD). read more...

Finding Relief with OTC Allergy Medications

Now that it is allergy season, it is a good time to think about the best way to treat your seasonal allergy symptoms and consider the many choices available in allergy medications. Allergy medications are used by many members and present an excellent opportunity for cost savings. An easy way for State Health Plan members to save money is to use over-the-counter (OTC) medications instead of more costly prescriptions. read more.... 

Relax! April is Stress Awareness Month

Stressed out? You are not alone. From finances to family to work, stress affects everyone. April is Stress Awareness Month, a perfect time for taking stock of any issues causing you anxiety, and finding ways to ease that stress. While it is difficult to completely avoid stress in our lives, you can find ways to manage it. read more....

Shop Smart with NC HealthSmart

Let NC HealthSmart make healthy grocery shopping easy! Now with the new Nutritional Scoring System, NuVal^®, you will be sure to have the most nutritious food in your cart. NuVal is a nutritional scoring tool developed by a team of medical and nutrition experts that can be used to search nutritional scores on more than 60,000 foods. It is a quick and simple tool you can access online on your home computer or while at the grocery store on your mobile device. read more ...

Get Blue Cross Blue Shield on the Go!

Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina (BCBSNC) recently launched a mobile website that provides its customers with easy access to their health care information on the go.

Users simply type bcbsnc.com into their mobile web browser for secure login directly to BCBSNC's Member Services site. The new mobile website is compatible with Android and Apple (iOS) devices, with no app download required. read more ...

Member Tip: Ways to Save on Out-of-Pocket Costs

These days, many State Health Plan members are watching their health care pennies carefully. If that sounds like you, click here for a few ideas to help stretch your health care budget.

Eat Smart, Move More, Weigh Less Online Begins April 23!

Eat Smart, Move More, Weigh Less (ESMMWL) online is a 15-week weight management program that uses strategies proven to improve and maintain good health. You can attend class from your home at a time that works best for you. Registration closes April 18. Don't delay! Click here to register today or for more information.