SPOTLIGHT STATE EMPLOYEES ASSOCIATION OF NORTH CAROLINA
BOARD OF GOVERNORS MEETING
MAY 19-20, 2023
HIGHLIGHTS
SEANC signs contract with Luther Sales Eric Glikstein of Luther Sales spoke to the board after SEANC signed a contract to partner with the company on a extended payment program similar to Purchasing Power. Luther Sales offers most of the same products as our last partner, but members will now have up to three years to pay off a purchase. The company also reports payment progress to the credit bureaus, meaning members will be able to use it build their credit scores. Glickstein said members will be pleased with his company’s commitment to customer service and ability to work with members on a payment plan that works best for them. In addition to the many consumer goods members are used to purchasing, Luther Sales also includes a vacations platform with a full-service travel agency that he feels members will enjoy. The program will be available to members in about a month.
Aetna provides update on State Health Plan changes AETNA Vice President of Client Affairs Michael Driscoll visited the board meeting to discuss the upcoming change in third-party administrators of the State Health Plan. On Jan. 1, 2025, AETNA will assume the role of administrator over the Plan, taking over for Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Carolina. Driscoll told the board that AETNA has been in busines for 160 years and is now owned by CVS Health. It plans to have 600 employees dedicated to serving the State Health Plan when the transition occurs. He said state employees can expect the same plan and benefits with AETNA with some enhanced care and service options. A big concern for employees is the size of AETNA’s provider network. Driscoll said he expects that most providers now serving the Plan to be in-network, but if members encounter problems AETNA is willing to include any doctors not covered.
SECU executive discusses credit union changes State Employees’ Credit Union Chief Operating Officer Leigh Brady visited the board meeting to discuss changes currently happening at the credit union. She talked about SECU’s longstanding relationship with SEANC, which includes more than $55 million in theme park tickets sold in branches since 2002. Among the many changes at SECU, Brady touted the new customer service experience both in person and through call-in, as well as a new website and mobile app. She discussed House Bill 410 and said it is not SECU’s intention to let just anyone join. BOG members expressed their concerns about risk-based lending, the elimination of tax preparation services, and other issues important to state employees and retirees. Brady responded that she did not expect the tax services to resume because they are too costly and time consuming.