Annual Enrollment is May 20-31, 2013.

You do not need to do anything during Annual Enrollment if you are satisfied with your current plan. If you take no action, you and any dependents will remain on your current plan. There are no changes to member or dependent premiums.

During Annual Enrollment you can:

• Enroll in the State Health Plan
• Switch between plans
• Add or remove dependents without a qualifying event

Click here for more information on Annual Enrollment 2013.

Effective April 29, 2013, certain services are transitioning away from Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina (BCBSNC). This means that members who enroll through eEnroll, formerly known as eBenefitsNow, will have new contact numbers when requesting assistance with State Health Plan related questions.

Click here for a list of updated contact numbers regarding the State Health Plan. Please review the list and update your records accordingly.

For more information regarding new contacts, click here.

The Traditional Pharmacy Benefit Preferred Drug List, which  is updated quarterly, includes the following new generic and brand medications:

Click here for additional information on new medications and the Preferred Drug List.

Allergy season is upon us, and State Health Plan allergy sufferers may need an allergy medication (antihistamine) to help relieve symptoms of sneezing, runny nose, scratchy throat and itchy eyes. Generic over-the-counter (OTC) allergy medications are a safe, effective way to relieve allergy symptoms and provide an excellent opportunity for cost savings.

For more information on allergy medications, click here.

April is Stress Awareness month, a great time to start managing your stress through exercise. Walking is one of the easiest exercises you can do, as it requires no equipment and can be done anywhere. Not sure how to include walking in your busy schedule? Check out the tips for ideas on how to get started.

Click here for more information and tips on how to include a stress-reducing walk in your day.

Wellness is a winning strategy for State Health Plan member Esther Cheruiyot, who was the winner of a new iPad^® in the Plan's latest monthly drawing.

Ms. Cheruiyot, who works for the N.C. Department of Health and Human Services' Central Regional Hospital in Butner, is a current participant in a Wellness Wins pilot project. As a project participant, she has taken her online Health Assessment and was automatically entered in the drawing.

"This has motivated me even more to pay attention to my health, change my lifestyle (and) watch my diet by moving more and eating healthier," Ms. Cheruiyot said of winning the iPad.

With one drawing each month, you can win a chance for a new iPad® and get healthy at the same time. Log on to the Personal Health Portal* and complete a Health Assessment to be entered.

Monthly drawings for an iPad will be conducted for all eligible members age 18 and older who have completed their Health Assessment since Jan. 1, 2011. For more information on taking your Health Assessment, click here.

*Members eligible for NC HealthSmart services are members whose primary health coverage is through the State Health Plan. Federal law prohibits the Plan from using your personal health information to discriminate against you in any way or from giving this information to your employing agency/school or other unauthorized third party, unless required by law.