Friday, September 15, 2017
Convention delegates take the LEAP for SEANC!
Delegates gathered last week in Greensboro to decide the direction of the association and gain valuable skills to help them at work and beyond at the 34th Annual SEANC Convention!
President Stanley Drewery of District 67 was re-elected to a second term, Darius McLaurin of District 40 was elected as First Vice President, Jimmy Davis of District 4 was elected Second Vice President and Chevella Thomas of District 27 was re-elected as General Treasurer.
EMPAC presented the Lisa B. Mitchell Legislators of the Year awards to Rep. Michael Wray (D-Halifax) and Rep. Jonathan Jordan (R-Ashe). Twenty-five members won $1,000 each in the Alternative Payment Options Challenge (listed below), and The Scholarship Foundation gave away $10,000 in its annual raffle!
Please visit SEANC’s Facebook page to relive the convention, including videos from the floor, photos and more.
BCBSNC, Mission Health at an impasse as deadline looms
The ongoing contract dispute between Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Carolina and Mission Health is reaching a breaking point. In less than three weeks, without a deal in place, Mission Health’s facilities in the western part of the state will no longer be considered “in-network” for BCBSNC customers, including state employees, retirees and their families who depend on the State Health Plan.
Mission Health is a major provider of healthcare through its six facilities in and around the Asheville area. The two sides are at an impasse. Mission Health discussed the issue on its blog released today. BCBSNC has set up this website to tell its side of the story. It will also hold open houses at Park Ridge Health in Asheville on Sept. 21 and Sept. 26 for members to familiarize themselves with that facility.
The topic was the focus of WUNC’s The State of Things broadcast on Thursday. You can listen to that full discussion here. SEANC continues to press both sides to let cooler heads prevail and reach a decision that is in the best interests of the State Health Plan and patients in the western part of the state. We will keep you informed on the latest as news develops through Facebook and Twitter.Subscribe to our email list
SEANC puts the state retirement system
"In Focus"
SEANC District 39 member Mark Dearmon and Government Relations Director Ardis Watkins appeared on “In Focus with Loretta Boniti” this week on Spectrum News to discuss the future of the state pension plan. State Treasurer Dale Folwell also appeared on the episode, which focused on the future of the plan as well as the state’s ability to use it as a benefit to attract new hires.
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Wanting to get out this weekend and enjoy some adult time? Get to the State Employees Credit Union to purchase your Busch Gardens tickets for a fun-filled weekend.
Please note that this coming weekend (Sept. 16 & 17), Busch Gardens is opening at noon.
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Friday, September 22, 2017
BCBSNC, Mission still not talking; Deadline for deal is Oct. 5
With less than two weeks remaining to reach an agreement, Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina (BCBSNC) and Mission Health seem to be as far apart on a compromise as ever. In fact, the president of Mission Health, Dr. Ron Paulus, said he didn’t think an agreement would be reached before 2018.
If a new contract is not approved by Oct. 5, Mission Health will no longer be an “innetwork” provider for BCBSNC. Since BCBSNC administers the State Health Plan, state employees and retirees would be impacted by this as well.
At Tuesday's press conference to announce Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina would continue to be the State Health Plan's third party administrator, Susan Murray, Vice President and State Health Plan Executive for BCBSNC and North Carolina State Treasurer Dale Folwell were asked by reporters about the contract dispute. Click below to hear their responses.
State Health Plan open enrollment starts Sept. 30
Open enrollment for the State Health Plan is fast approaching. The enrollment period begins Sept. 30 and lasts until Oct. 31, and State Health Plan members should notice significant changes. For starters, the entire process is much less confusing and timeconsuming! This is just one of several changes that reduce complexity, maintain quality health coverage and contribute to the Plan’s long-term financial stability. Also:
Family premiums have been frozen; Copays and deductibles will not increase; You only have to complete the tobacco attestation credit, not a 34-question survey; and
The Consumer-Directed Health Plan (CDHP) is being eliminated (HRA funds must be used by Dec. 31, 2017).
To reduce complexity, members will have two plan options: the 70/30 Plan and 80/20 Plan. Both plans will have employee-only premiums, which are necessary because:
Medical costs are projected to increase 7 percent.
Pharmaceutical costs are projected to increase 8.5 percent.
The Governor and General Assembly only funded the plans at a 4 percent increase.
Each plan will have an employee-only premium. After completing tobacco attestation, members will pay:
$25 per month employee-only premium for the 70/30 Plan*
$50 per month employee-only premium for the 80/20 Plan*
You will be automatically enrolled in the 70/30 Plan unless you TAKE ACTION to elect the 80/20 Plan. Also, you must complete tobacco attestation to receive the lower monthly premium. Remember: co-pays and deductibles are not increasing. For more information and to register, go to www.shpnc.org. You’ll also receive information by mail. Please READ IT so you can pick the best choice for you and your family. For questions, call the Eligibility and Enrollment Support Center at 855-859-0966.
During Open Enrollment extended hours will be available Monday-Friday, 8 a.m.-10 p.m. ET, and Saturday, 8 a.m.-noon ET.
SEANC INSURANCE - Make a Change
As annual enrollment for Insurances approach, you might want to rethink what insurance you have, what you need and what you use. Sometimes insurance in not just about cost, it’s also about what benefits you and your family are receiving for the premiums you pay.
We invite you to take a look at the insurance SEANC offers to our members. Below are some of the Highlights:
Dental
SEANC offers three dental plans (Basic, Core and Premium) through United Health Care to meet the needs of you and your family.
Nothing compares to the $5,000 Annual Maximum and $5,000 Orthodontia Lifetime Maximum (Children up to age 25 if a Full Time Student) you get with the Premium plan. The Core plan offers In Network Incentives and all three plans offer preventative care 2 times per a 12 month period. Healthy teeth are essential to a healthy life.
Vision
You might think all vision plans are the same but this is simply not true. You get what you pay for…..did you know that SEANC offers three vision plans (Standard, Enhanced Option 1 and Enhanced Option 2)? Like with any insurance plan - look at the cost, what are you getting for the cost and does it meet the needs of you and your family?
Not only do we offer Frame Benefits and discount on Lens Upgrades, but were you aware that with the vision plan through Spectera you will have access to Discounted Laser Vision Correction, Discount on Contact lenses and Preferred Pricing on Hearing Aids.
Term Life
These are just a few Insurances we offer. We invite you to contact us and let’s chat about the needs of you and your family, what works, what don’t and what SEANC can do to help you make a change. Call an Insurance Specialist today 919-833-6436 or 800-222-2758.
THEME PARK TICKET SEASON
As summer comes to an end, Water Parks have already closed and at the end of September the State Employees
Union will no longer offer tickets to the Theme
Parks. Don’t be sad because that is not The End.
Did you know that a few parks stay open until Christmas?
With a Busch Gardens Ticket you can Howl-O-Scream:
And let’s not forget SCarowinds:
Buy your tickets Now to keep the tradition alive or Start A New One!
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Friday, September 29, 2017
State Health Plan open enrollment starts tomorrow
Open enrollment for the State Health Plan begins tomorrow! The enrollment period lasts until Oct. 31, and State Health Plan members should notice significant changes. Among the highlights:
• Family premiums have been frozen;
• Copays and deductibles will not increase;
Each plan will have an employee-only premium. After completing tobacco attestation, members will pay:
• $25 per month employee-only premium for the 70/30 Plan*
• $50 per month employee-only premium for the 80/20 Plan*
You will be automatically enrolled in the 70/30 Plan unless you TAKE ACTION to elect the 80/20 Plan. Also, you must complete tobacco attestation to receive the lower monthly premium. Remember: co-pays and deductibles are not increasing.
For more information and to register, go to www.shpnc.org. You’ll also receive information by mail. Please READ IT so you can pick the best choice for you and your family. For questions, call the Eligibility and Enrollment Support Center at 855-859-0966. During Open Enrollment extended hours will be available Monday-Friday, 8 a.m.-10 p.m. ET, and Saturday, 8 a.m.-noon ET.
To help you navigate the changes, the State Health Plan staff has put together a series of videos for Active, non-Medicare and Medicare-eligible members. Please watch the videos below.
Active working members https://youtu.be/eryjBYa9UiA
Non-Medicare retirees https://youtu.be/mxSDUaeyftw
Medicare eligible members https://youtu.be/Epjhnu6HKZo
Mission Health, BCBS still at odds, deadline this week
No agreement has been reached in the ongoing contract dispute between Mission Health and Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Carolina, making it more likely that no compromise will be reached by the Oct. 5 deadline. This means that State Health Plan members will not be able to use Mission Health facilities as an in-network provider after that date.
BCBSNC has put together a list of other in-network providers in the Asheville area as well as important information about the dispute here. Please read through this website, and know your options before Oct. 5. SEANC continues to work with the State Treasurer’s office to encourage both sides to resolve the issue promptly.
LAST CHANCE – THEME PARK TICKETS
Today is the last day the State Employees Credit Union will sell Theme Park Tickets.
If you miss out and decide you want to join in on the fun at Busch Gardens Howl-OScream, SCarowinds or Kings Dominion’s Hunt, give SEANC a call at 919-833-6436. We will have tickets available for purchase in the office.
October 30th – WWE Live
Save up to $15 off the Gate price
Don't miss WWE LIVE! See your favorite WWE Superstars in action including:
SHINSUKE NAKAMURA vs WWE Champion JINDER MAHAL with The Singh Brothers
United States Champion AJ STYLES vs KEVIN OWENS
RANDY ORTON vs “The Bulgarian Brute” RUSEV
Tag Team Championship Three Way Tag Match
NEW DAY vs BREEZANGO vs Tag Team Champions The USOS
SAMI ZAYN vs BARON CORBIN
CHARLOTTE FLAIR & BECKY LYNCH vs TAMINA, LANA & CARMELLA with James Ellsworth
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*Lineup card subject to change.
Seating Chart Link: https://www.thepncarena.com/assets/img/WWE217_Map4a91c768c2.jpg
Link to purchase: https://www1.ticketmaster.com/wwe -live-raleigh-north-carolina-10-302017/event/0E00531CEBE096DD?camefrom=CFC_RBC
Give us a call for the Promo Code 919-833-6436
Everyone is talking about Insurance
SEANC is the go-to place for your insurance needs. We have a variety of insurance plans for Active Members as well as Retired Members at competitive rates. Give an Insurance Specialist a call to compare with other products you have recently reviewed. It’s good to be knowledgeable about your coverage and we can help you!
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