Senate Bill 287 (State Health Plan / Good Health Initiatives) was signed into law by Governor Perdue on April 23, 2009.  This bill includes the State Health Plan benefit changes and rate increases for the 2009/2010 and 2010/2011 benefit years. 

• The annual enrollment period will begin as soon as employees receive the enrollment kits.  Annual enrollment kits will be mailed beginning on May 6, 2009.  Annual enrollment forms will be due to Human Resources no later than May 29, 2009. 

• All enrollment changes, benefit changes and rate changes will become effective July 1, 2009 with the exception of the routine vision benefit.  Routine vision benefits will no longer be covered beginning January 1, 2010. 

   

All currently enrolled employees will be mailed an enrollment kit that contains:

• Instructions on how to make enrollment changes
• Benefit Changes Chart
• Rate sheet
• Information on the new wellness initiatives

• On July 1, 2009 there will be an 8.9% increase on all coverage tiers.
• On July 1, 2010 there will be another 8.9% increase on all coverage tiers.

• The 90/10 Plus plan will no longer be offered.  Employees currently enrolled in the 90/10 Plus plan should only complete a change form if they wish to move to the 70/30 plan. Otherwise, the employee will automatically be moved to the 80/20 Standard Plan, along with any dependents they currently have covered on their plan.  If an employee does not submit a completed form, they will remain on their current plan or will be automatically moved to the 80/20 plan if they are currently enrolled on the 90/10 Plus plan.  Employees who are moved to the 80/20 plan will no longer have to pay for employee only coverage.   
• Deductibles, copays and coinsurance maximums will increase, effective July 1, 2009.  Please refer to the Benefit Changes Chart for details.
• As of January 1, 2010, routine vision exams will no longer be covered.
• Prescription Drugs

• The prescription drug number of days supply for one copayment will change from 34 days to 30 days, effective July 1, 2009.

• The copay for generic drugs will remain $10. 

• The copay for diabetic supplies will remain $10 for preferred brand and $25 for non-preferred brand. 

• Prescription drug copays for preferred brand (without a generic available), and non-preferred brand will each increase by $5, effective July 1, 2009. 

• Beginning July 1, 2009, a 25% coinsurance will be charged for specialty prescription drugs up to $100 for each 30-day supply.  Members currently taking a specialty medication will receive additional information in the mail.

• The preferred brand copay tier (with generic available) will be eliminated effective July 1, 2009.

   

Please note: Beginning July 1, 2009, if a generic equivalent is available and a member chooses to have the brand name drug, or their doctor prescribes "Dispense as Written" (DAW), they will be required to pay the difference between the actual cost of the brand name drug and the amount the Plan would have paid for the generic equivalent, in addition to the generic copayment.

Due to the shortened timeframe for annual enrollment this year, it is likely that not all members will receive their ID card by July 1, 2009.  However, the ID number does not change, so providers and pharmacies will accept members’ current ID cards. Therefore, members should continue to use their current ID cards until they receive their new ID card. 

Contact Human Resources or

• State Health Plan Web site at www.shpnc.org,
• Customer Services for plan questions at 1-888-234-2416, or
• Medco Customer Services for pharmacy questions at 1-800-336-5933. 

Do you have questions or comments regarding your benefits or your benefits website? Please email us at: Human.Resources@cpcc.edu or hr@cpcc.edu. You may also contact us through our Feedback link.

Feel free to contact your HR benefits staff.
Joanette West, Benefits Coordinator (704) 330-6759
Carolyn Pence, HR Technician II (704) 330-6311