Author: Ryan Hill
Oct. 15, 2018 — Open Enrollment is underway for state employees to sign up for the State Health Plan, NCFlex benefits and DHHS Supplemental Benefits Plan. But employees must take action soon! The enrollment period ends Oct. 31.
The State Health Plan is offered in the traditional 70/30 plan and the 80/20 plan. Any employee in a permanent position working 30 hours or more each week is eligible. Permanent part-time employees who work between 20-29 hours a week may also participate in the State Health Plan by paying the full cost for coverage – the employee premium and the employer share. The 70/30 plan for retiree-only coverage remains premium free.
All active and non-Medicare retired members, and eligible dependents will be automatically enrolled in the traditional 70/30 plan for 2019 if no action is taken. To enroll in the 80/20 plan, action must be taken during Open Enrollment.
Selections made during Open Enrollment take effect Jan. 1, 2019, and last through Dec. 31, 2019.
Employees can reduce premiums by $60 a month on both the 80/20 and 70/30 plans by completing the tobacco attestation. Employees must attest to not being a tobacco user or agree to visit a CVS MinuteClinic for at least one tobacco cessation counseling session within 90 days of the end of Open Enrollment on Oct. 31 or risk losing their credit.
If you wish to enroll in any NCFlex benefits or add or remove dependents from your NCFlex benefits, you must do so during Open Enrollment. You are eligible to participate in NCFlex benefits if you work in a permanent, probationary or time-limited position working 20 or more hours per week.
If you are satisfied with your NCFlex benefits and do not want to make any changes, your benefits will continue as is, with the exception of the NCFlex Spending Accounts.
Anyone contributing to the NCFlex Spending Accounts – the Health Care Flexible Spending Account (HCFSA) and the Dependent Day Care Flexible Spending Account (DDCFSA) – must re-enroll each year. The HCFSA contribution limit is increasing to $2,650 per person effective Jan. 1, 2019. The DDFSA contribution limit remains $5,000 per family.
For those who wish to enroll in or make changes to their NCFlex benefits, a Core Vision Option is available at no cost through EyeMed Vision care, which provides an annual comprehensive eye exam for a $20 co-pay.
The Core Accidental Death & Dismemberment benefit provides $10,000 worth of coverage at no cost if an employee suffers a loss. A Voluntary Accidental Death & Dismemberment plan is available for spouses and children for a monthly premium. The plans pay benefits for specific injuries and events resulting from an accident.
The Critical Illness and Cancer Plans are also available to DHHS employees during Open Enrollment, with guaranteed issue and no Evidence of Insurability (EOI) required. Critical illness premium rates are also decreasing by approximately 10 percent.
Employees can also enroll in DHHS Supplemental Benefits, which includes legal services, dental insurance, term life insurance, universal life insurance and disability insurance. For more information on DHHS Supplemental Benefits, contact your local Human Resources Office.