University Human Resources wants to ensure that employees can make informed decisions regarding their benefits during annual enrollment, which will take place Sept. 30-Oct. 25, 2024, for the 2025 plan year. To prepare you for that four-week period, we’re sharing some preliminary information with you now, so you’ll be ready to make benefit elections for yourself and your eligible dependents. Carefully read the information below, and be sure to read our Howl You Know newsletter next month, when we’ll share more information about annual enrollment.
New Third-Party Administrator for State Health Plan
Beginning Jan. 1, 2025, Aetna will be the third-party administrator for the State Health Plan, replacing Blue Cross Blue Shield of NC. As the third-party administrator, Aetna will provide operational services such as claims processing, which does not affect the benefits the State Health Plan provides. Employee premiums will not increase in 2025, and there won’t be any changes to the benefits the State Health Plan offers.
During annual enrollment, the State Health Plan will put all its members into the Base PPO 70/30 plan by default for the 2025 plan year. If you prefer to be in the Enhanced PPO 80/20 plan for the 2025 plan year, you must enroll in that plan during annual enrollment.
Pick a Primary Care Provider
All members must also reselect a primary care provider with Aetna to continue enjoying lower copays when visiting that provider. You’ll be able to make your selection during annual enrollment.
Providers were required to contract with Aetna to maintain status as a primary care provider or other provider type. Aetna has tools available so members can check their current providers’ status with Aetna for the 2025 plan year. The Find a Doctor tool allows members to search Aetna providers, and the Health Concierge service is available to answer questions and assist with provider selection. The concierge service can be reached at 833-690-1037, Monday-Friday, 8 a.m.-5 p.m.
Is Your Current Address in MyPack Portal?
Be sure your current address is in MyPack Portal to ensure you receive information from the State Health Plan regarding annual enrollment and the transition to Aetna.
To see if your correct address is listed in MyPack Portal, log into the portal, make sure “Employee Self Service” is selected, click “Personal Details” and then select “Addresses.” Click “Current” if you need to update the address you see on your screen.
Here Is How To Learn More About Aetna
Aetna Events
Aetna will offer the opportunity to ask its representative questions about the transition and look up providers at more than 20 in-person events across the state. Registration is not required. Event dates and locations are on the State Health Plan website.
Flu shots will be available at the events on a first-come, first-served basis.
State Health Plan Events
The State Health Plan has scheduled webinars and telephone town hall events to help members select the best plan for them for the 2025 benefit year and learn more about the Aetna transition. Registration is open now for these events.
Tobacco Cessation
Both users and nonusers of tobacco can reduce their State Health Plan premiums by $60 per month in 2025. All employees who are State Health Plan members must attest regarding their tobacco use status during the annual enrollment period of Sept. 30-Oct. 25, 2024. Those employees who are State Health Plan members and tobacco users don’t have to wait until annual enrollment to earn the $60 premium credit. They can take action now by completing a required tobacco cessation session for free at a CVS MinuteClinic or a participating primary care provider’s office. Tobacco users have until Nov. 30, 2024, to complete a free tobacco cessation session. If you combine your tobacco cessation visit with another service, you may have to pay a copay.
After your tobacco cessation session, your provider will submit a claim on your behalf. To ensure you receive credit for your visit, request a copy of your office visit summary, then upload it into the state benefits enrollment portal. To do so, go to Employee Self-Service in MyPack Portal, click the “Benefit Details” tile and then click the “My State Health Plan” tile. After login, you’ll be taken to the state benefits enrollment portal. To upload your summary, select “Document Center” on the left side of the page and follow the prompts.
Employees who are not tobacco users will simply need to attest to that fact during annual enrollment to receive the $60 credit reducing their monthly premium.
Dental Plans
Any changes to the dental plan premiums and benefits will be communicated to employees when that information becomes available.
Health Care and Dependent Day Care Flexible Spending Accounts
The maximum amount of money you can contribute to a health care flexible saving account and the amount you will be able to roll over will increase in 2025. University Human Resources will share the maximum annual amount you can contribute to your health care and dependent day care flexible spending accounts for 2025 when that information becomes available. To view your flexible spending account, log in via the P&A Group website.
Benefit Enrollment Portals
You will need to access the UNC System Benefits portal and/or the State Health Plan portal to enroll in benefits or make changes to them during annual enrollment.
To enroll in or make changes to dental, vision accident and TRICARE plans and a flexible spending account, go to the UNC System Benefits portal. You can access that portal by going to MyPack Portal, and clicking the “Benefits Details” tile and then selecting the “My UNC & NC Flex Benefits” tile.
To enroll in or make changes to State Health Plan benefits, go to MyPack Portal, click the “Benefits Details” tile and then select the “My State Health Plan” tile.
UHR will provide those enrollment instructions in future annual enrollment communications.
Annual Enrollment Webpage
The UHR benefits team is currently gathering comprehensive information to post on this year’s annual enrollment webpage. The team will inform employees when the page is complete.
Information Sessions
The benefits team plans to host annual enrollment information sessions. When dates and times for those sessions become available, the team will post them on the annual enrollment webpage.
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