The State Health Plan's Board of Trustees recently approved new health plan options for teachers and state employees that reward a range of healthy activities, including smoking cessation, taking an online Health Assessment and naming a primary care physician.

Beginning Jan. 1, 2014, these options will be made available for Active and non-Medicare Primary members. In addition to providing more options, this new plan focuses on helping members understand and improve their health. A healthy and engaged member population leads to cost savings and improves the long-term financial stability of the State Health Plan.

During a recent listening tour, in surveys and through focus groups, members consistently expressed the desire for more options and incentives for healthy choices.

To learn more about health plan changes and expanded member options, click here.

The State Health Plan would like to provide an update on changes as a result of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA). The Plan will continue to provide regular updates in upcoming newsletters.
 

• Prohibition on Rescission Sec. 2712
  As the Plan communicated in the January HBR Update, a group health plan must not retroactively cancel coverage unless there has been an act or practice that constitutes "fraud," or an "intentional misrepresentation" of material fact as prohibited by the terms of the plan or coverage.
  
  It is imperative that HBRs adhere to the eligibility rules as established in the North Carolina General Statute 135 Article 3B to ensure that only eligible members are enrolled on the Plan and that coverage is terminated in a timely way when a member loses eligibility.
  
  This law does not apply to terminations that are processed within the State Health Plan rules.
   

Click here to continue reading the Health Care Reform Update.

The State Health Plan has begun validations with HBRs to verify if proper documents are being requested and validated on employee dependents.

Please remember that the Plan will contact the HBR's office concerning recent employee life event changes and eligibility documents.

We appreciate your cooperation.

The State Health Plan would like to recognize you and your employees' efforts to take steps toward a healthier lifestyle. The Plan is asking Health Benefits Representatives and Wellness Coordinators statewide to submit pictures of their employees participating in a healthy activity.

Have you had a walking challenge recently, or sponsored a wellness run or other healthy activities involving Plan members? If so, we want a picture!

Click here for more information on sending in your healthy activity pictures.

The State Health Plan is sponsoring Plan members' participation in the Step Up Carolinas exercise and weight loss challenge.

Step Up Carolinas is an eight-week, online, team-based wellness competition that will begin on April 1, 2013. Plan members who choose to participate will receive a free pedometer and have access to online tools to form teams, set goals, track progress, and motivate others. Plan members can participate in one, two, or all three divisions within the Step Up Carolinas challenge that include pedometer steps, exercise minutes and weight loss.

For more information on how you and your employees can participate in the Step Up Carolinas challenge, click here.

Steve Simpson Henderson County Public Schools

State Health Plan member Steve Simpson of Hendersonville, N.C., is the proud owner of a new iPad^® after winning the State Health Plan's latest monthly drawing.

Mr. Simpson, a career elementary and middle school teacher, retired from Henderson County Public Schools in 2006 but continues to work part-time in the county school system as a math co-teacher and tutor. To earn his chance to win, he just had to complete an online Health Assessment on the NC HealthSmart Personal Health Portal.

Click here for more information on winning an iPad^®.