TASTY & LIGHT RECIPE OF THE MONTH
 |
|
REMINDER: SUBMIT PAYMENTS IN A TIMELY MANNER
The State Health Plan appreciates the efforts made by the employing units to work with the Plan and Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina to ensure payments are submitted in a timely manner and discrepancies are resolved.
However, there are several groups that continue to carry unresolved discrepancies for several months. Groups must clear all discrepancies before the employer portal launches in the spring of 2013. Thank you for your attention to this important matter. |
|
Do you have employees interested in being tobacco-free? Click here to learn about the NC HealthSmart resources available to help them quit.
|
|
|
|
|
|
GRAB YOUR WALKING SHOES AND GET READY!
Join North Carolina Treasurer Janet Cowell for a special one-mile Walk around the Capitol to kick off the Step Up Carolinas program for State Health Plan members.
The walk will take place on Wednesday, March 27, 2013 at 10:00 a.m. We will have registration information for Step Up Carolinas available. Be sure to encourage your members to attend!
For more information, please contact us at NCHealthSmart@nctreasurer.com. |
|
COMING SOON: ANNUAL ENROLLMENT 2013
 The State Health Plan will conduct Annual Enrollment May 20-31, 2013. Members do not need to do anything during Annual Enrollment if they are satisfied with their current plan. If they take no action, they and any dependents will remain on their current plan. There are no changes to member or dependent premiums.
During Annual Enrollment members can:
- Enroll in the State Health Plan
- Switch between plans
- Add or remove dependents without a qualifying event
To learn more about Annual Enrollment 2013, click here. |
|
READY, SET, GO CHALLENGE: STEP UP WITH YOUR COWORKERS
 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, and end May 26, 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 get fit with coworkers. 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. Winners will receive valuable gift cards.
Click here for more information on the Step Up Carolinas challenge.
|
|
NC HealthSmart Corner
EAT SMART, MOVE MORE, WEIGH LESS BEFORE SUMMER BEGINS
 As you and your employees prepare for summer, don't forget about your health! Check out Eat Smart, Move More, Weigh Less Online, a 15-week weight management program that works because it is not a diet - it's a lifestyle! State Health Plan members can participate in Eat Smart, Move More, Weigh Less Online for ONLY $5*.
All weekly classes are live and conducted by an experienced instructor. Participants can conveniently attend classes from their home or office computer. Early morning, lunchtime and evening class times are available.
Click here for more information on Eat Smart, Move More, Weigh Less. | |
|
ATTENTION: eBENEFITSNOW GROUPS
The State Health Plan requests that groups in the eBenefitsNow system pay special attention to the following two items:
- Exception Request Reminder
Benefitfocus Account Managers are not allowed to make enrollment changes requested by HBRs for members when the change is outside of the Plan's rules. HBRs must follow the process as outlined in the Exceptions Process.
Click here for the Canceling Coverage Reminder for Future Retirees. | |
|
UNDERSTANDING WHEN PRE-EXISTING CONDITIONS APPLY
 When enrolling in the State Health Plan, new employees may have questions about whether or not their benefits will cover a pre-existing condition. It is important to understand if, and for how long, a pre-existing term may apply.
If an employee has not had a break in coverage longer than 63 days, no pre-existing conditions will be applied to their coverage. The employee or any dependents over age 19 are considered to have no gap in coverage. However, if the employee or dependents over age 19 have a break in coverage longer than 63 days, pre-existing conditions will apply.
Click here for more information on understanding when pre-existing conditions apply. | |
|
CONSIDERING KNEE REPLACEMENT? IMPORTANT NEWS FOR STATE HEALTH PLAN MEMBERS!
 The State Health Plan has some good news for members facing knee replacement surgery. Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina and Triangle Orthopaedic Associates have teamed up for a new payment program for knee replacements. Under this program:
- Plan members age 18-64 pay a fixed price for knee replacement surgeries received at North Carolina Specialty Hospital, which is physician-owned.
- Patients can make one payment to Triangle Orthopaedic Associates. This avoids multiple bills from the surgeon, hospital, physical therapist and others.
- Medical teams can work together more closely to reduce complications and prevent readmissions.
Click here for more information on bundled payments. | |
|
NEW TO MEDICARE OR TURNING 65 SOON?
 The Seniors' Health Insurance Information Program (SHIIP), a division of the North Carolina Department of Insurance, provides free unbiased counseling to Medicare beneficiaries and caregivers about Medicare, Medicare supplements, Medicare Advantage, Medicare Prescription Drug coverage and Long-term care insurance.
Click here for more information on the Seniors' Health Insurance Information Program. | |
|
EARN REWARDS BY PROMOTING NC HEALTHSMART!
 The State Health Plan has created an NC HealthSmart trainer incentive program to encourage and reward employees who volunteer to become educated on NC HealthSmart products and services and conduct member outreach efforts on behalf of the Plan.
NC HealthSmart trainers will earn rewards based on the number of members they educate about NC HealthSmart resources. Rewards include an NC HealthSmart T-shirt, certificates of recognition, Visa gift cards, and an article in the Plan's newsletter, Member Focus.
Click here to learn more about earning rewards promoting NC HealthSmart. | |
|
KEEP EMPLOYEES INFORMED AND HEALTHY WITH NC HEALTHSMART PRESENTATIONS!
 Do you and your staff want to learn how to improve your health and wellness? The State Health Plan would like to visit your worksite to educate members on the free and low-cost resources offered through NC HealthSmart. NC HealthSmart presentations last about one hour with time to answer questions. The presentations also provide guidance to members on how to complete their Health Assessment to become eligible to win an iPad®.
Click here to learn more about hosting an NC HealthSmart presentation in your office. | |
|
SEND US YOUR HEALTHY ACTIVITY PICTURES
 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!
The Plan will select the most suitable pictures and post them to our new Kudos Corner page on the Plan website. We will let you know when the page is ready for viewing, so you can share your efforts with colleagues statewide. Send your photos to communication@nctreasurer.com.
|
|
NEW IPAD® WINNER ANNOUNCED
 Healthy eating is an ongoing goal for State Health Plan member Noreen Wimbush, who is the newest winner in the Plan's latest monthly iPad drawing.
Ms. Wimbush, who works for Murdoch Developmental Center in Butner, participated in the recent Your Roadmap to Good Health pilot project and is familiar with the benefits of the Plan's NC HealthSmart health and wellness initiative.
Click here for more information on winning an iPad®.
|
|
|
|
|
