April 2009
UNC Asheville
Employee Benefits ROUNDUP
Retirement Plan Lunch 'n' Learn Planned
Worried about your retirement plan in this economy?
Join us for a financial education seminar entitled “Staying On Track In a Volatile Market,” at a Lunch ‘n’ Learn program to be held on Thursday, May 14, at noon in PDR 100/200. The seminar will be presented by Frank Molpus, a representative from TIAA-CREF, one of our ORP and 403b Supplemental retirement plan vendors
The education session will include information about how to understand equity market volatility, finding positive opportunities when markets move downward and balancing potential risk through asset allocation in your retirement plan, as well as other topics.
This seminar will be most helpful to those interested in learning more about current or future retirement options.
To reserve your seat for this free seminar, register online at http://www.unca.edu/hr/training/Registration/SOStayingOnTrack.asp or call Tamika Carter at 877.267.4505. Please make reservations early, as seating is limited.
The News is:
No Definite News Yet On State Health Plan
The North Carolina General Assembly is still reviewing the State Health plan (SHP). While separate measures have passed in both the Senate and the House, a consensus has not yet been reached. Legislators are attempting to move quickly enough to have a new plan in place by the July 1 plan year; however enrollment will have to happen rapidly after a final bill passes for July enrollment.
As the State Health Plan proposal continues to make its way through the legislative process, Jack Walker, Executive Director of the State Health Plan, issued a Member Update. In the posting, Walker informed members that the plan is experiencing a temporary delay in paying some providers.
“This process should not impact your medical care experience,” Walker stated, “However, if you have any concerns or questions about your State Health Plan, please contact customer service at 1-888-234-2416.”
The Member Update can be found on the State Health Plan’s website at
http://www.shpnc.org/mem-
In the interim, various pharmacy changes
will take effect May 1st. The most significant change would
take place for some migraine medications. In addition to a coverage
review, some medications will have an increased co-pay after May 1st.
Pharmacy benefit information, including recent changes, can be reviewed
on the SHP website at
http://www.shpnc.org/pharmacy.
The SHP also recently released a "2008 State of Member Health: Trends and Interventions for Plan Members" report.
The report highlighted the plan's commitment to wellness with various data since the NC HealthSmart program was launched in 2005. According to SHP data, the plan has experienced a slowdown in rising costs among members with a chronic condition. The cost of care for the chronically ill rose 19.5% between 2001 and 2004. Yet between 2004 and 2007, the cost increase slowed to 13.3%. The slowdown was attributed to the NC HealthSmart's one on one health coaching and specialty care management in addition to the SHP's PPO model which attempts to provide members quality preventative health care services.
The full report can be found on the SHP's
website at
http://www.shpnc.org/pdf/nchs-
FYI: 2008 Participant Statements for Teachers' and State Employees' Retirement System members will be mailed to home addresses in mid-June!
Spotlight ON:
Smoking Cessation
I am considering quitting smoking. What benefits are available to me?
With the NC General Assembly discussing smoking bans, a sharp increase in Federal taxes per pack, a possible increase in State tax, and proposed health insurance reductions for smokers, more employees are calling the Human Resource office and asking, "what resources are available to help me quit?"
Several resources are available for UNC Asheville employees to help them with smoking cessation.
Through the State Health Plan, tobacco cessation programs include not only a health coach for support, but cost-savvy ways to end tobacco use, including a way to request a co-payment override for generic over-the-counter nicotine replacement therapy patches. A 10-week course of therapy is covered annually at a cost of $5 per prescription (the number of prescriptions may vary by individuals); however, there are two ways to receive the over-the-counter patches for free. More information about the co-pay waiver can be found in a flyer located on the State Health Plan's Wellness page
In fact, the State Health Plan utilizes a multi-dimensional approach to smoking cessation. Phone services including personal health coach support at 800.817.7044 In addition, the Health Plan participates in the NC Quitline program at 800.QUIT.NOW - a hotline armed with specialists who can assist members with quitting, goal setting, medication questions and locating local tobacco cessation resources. The Quitline can send participants educational materials by mail and then make follow-up support calls.
For those who prefer a web-based approach to ending nicotine addiction, the State Health plan offers NC HealthSmart. Designed by an ex-smoker, the internet-based Stop Smoking program gently guides eligible members through the quitting process over four weeks. This program and numerous other resources are available through the NC HealthSmart website.
Check out a summary
of the State Health Plan Tobacco Benefits 2009 at:
http://www.shpnc.org/pdf/