Issue 2 Reporter 2022-23

Aetna chosen over BCBSNC for State Health Plan

State Treasurer Dale Folwell announced on Jan. 4 that the State Health Plan will switch from longtime administrator Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Carolina (BCBSNC) to Aetna in 2025.

The administrative contract, awarded by the State Health Plan Board of Trustees, oversees health care spending of more than $17.5 billion over five years. BCBSNC, which has administered the plan for more than 40 years, and United HealthCare both filed appeals against the board’s decision, but were denied.

It’s important to remember that this change will not take effect for two years. It will not affect Humana Medicare Advantage plans for retirees.

“Partnering with Aetna, which already employs over 10,000 people in North Carolina, will create a lot of new opportunities for the Plan and the members we serve,” said State Treasurer Dale Folwell. “A change of this magnitude is a

great opportunity for a fresh perspective, and we look forward to working closely with Aetna to create new ways to provide price transparency, increase access and quality while lowering the cost of health care for those who teach, protect and serve, and taxpayers like them.”

As the leading voice for state employees and retirees, news outlets turned to SEANC for our opinion on the change. SEANC Executive Director Ardis Watkins appeared in stories from several news outlets, including the News & Observer and Charlotte Observer, WRAL-TV, CBS-17, and the Associated Press.

Watkins also sent a message alerting all members of the change, making it clear that SEANC would stand up for our members’ interests.

“I have already spoken with representatives of Aetna to let them know we will represent the best interests of our members in this process, she stated. We

want to help make this transition as smooth as possible. Our ultimate goal is for our members to continue seeing the doctors they want without incurring a cost increase.”

SEANC has worked with the Treasurer’s office for the last five years to ensure your premiums and out-ofpocket costs did not increase. The Plan is now at a crossroads, where without drastic changes, members would likely see rising costs in the next three years to stay solvent.

While this change will save $140 million, we will only achieve the savings required to keep the State Health Plan affordable to employees, retirees, and their families by fighting for true price transparency and savings on what the Plan pays hospitals.

Folwell said Plan members will start receiving more information regarding the changes in 2024 prior to Open Enrollment for the 2025 benefit year.

Retirement Board asks for bonuses rather than COLAs

The General Assembly opened its 2023 long session on Jan. 11 and by all indications legislators could be in Raleigh into the fall. Lawmakers hope to finish the state budget by late June, then turn their attention to redistricting once again.

SEANC’s Government Relations team is tracking every bill to identify anything related to state employees and retirees. As is the case every year, the fight for raises, cost-of-living adjustments (COLA) for retirees, and full funding of benefits will be chief concerns.

The Retirement System Board of Trustees met in late January and made its final recommendation of a 2% bonus

for retirees in both 2023 and 2024, paid by the general fund. The board made its decision based on an actuarial analysis that stated a COLA would cost the same as gains made by the system.

High vacancy rates across state government means fewer state employees paying into the system, while the number of retirees has increased. Therefore, the legislature would have to decide to increase its contribution to pay for a COLA.

It’s important to note that a recommendation by the Retirement System Board does not mean an appropriation for a COLA will happen. However, the legislature does put a certain amount of reliance on the

recommendation.

SEANC has made it clear to legislators that retirees demand a true cost-of-living adjustment, not just another bonus. We will continue to press lawmakers to invest in a true COLA in the upcoming state budget debate.

With the legislature now in full swing, it’s more important than ever for members to BE READY TO ACT. Please scan the QR code below and fill out the form to ensure you receive our email alerts and text messages. And be ready to call or email your legislators to make your voices heard.

State Employees Association of North Carolina

RETIREE FOCUS

8 questions to ask your doctor or pharmacist

Submitted

Medication works best when you understand how and why to take the medication, as well as any potential side effects that may occur. If you have questions about your medication, do not stop taking the medication without talking to your doctor or pharmacist. Here is a list of questions you might want to ask your doctor or pharmacist if you have concerns:

1. How does this medication work?

2. Why did my doctor prescribe this medication?

3. What are the possible side effects of this medication?

4. How long do I need to take this medication?

5. What can I expect the medication to do for me?

6. How should this medication be taken?

7. What should I do if I miss a dose?

8. Are there any foods or substances that may interact with my medication?

Never be afraid to ask questions about your medications. By asking these questions and learning the answers, you will have a basic knowledge of your medication. Whether you are picking them up for the first time or you have taken them for years, the pharmacist is there to answer your questions and help you to understand your medications. If you can understand your medications, you are well prepared to be a key player in managing your health!

REPORTER THE

Managing Editor

SEANC accepts advertising material from companies and persons seeking to communicate with SEANC members. Acceptance of this advertising does not indicate SEANC approval or endorsement of any representation that the message, product or service is as represented by the advertiser. SEANC accepts no responsibility and shall not be liable for any use of or reliance on any such information, product or service. SEANC is a private entity and is under no obligation to carry advertisements of any nature, political or otherwise, that may be viewed as contrary to the interests of the association and its membership.

2023

Dates pension checks are direct deposited to your bank account or checks are mailed:

Feb. 24

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April 25

May 25

June 23

July 25

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Nov. 22 Dec. 22

The Reporter, USPS 009-852 (ISSN 1069 2142), is published four times a year in the months of October, February, May, and August for $2.50 per year, per member, by the State Employees Association of North Carolina, Inc., 1621 Midtown Place, Raleigh, NC 27609. Periodicals postage paid at Raleigh and additional offices.

POSTMASTER, Send address changes to: THE REPORTER, 1621 Midtown Place, Raleigh, NC 27609.

SEANC scholarship applications

Are you a SEANC member going to college? Do you have a son, daughter, legally adopted grandchild or a spouse going to college?

Are you a retiree with a grandchild going to college?

Then apply today for a scholarship from the SEANC Scholarship Foundation. Now is the time to work on your application for the 2023-24 academic year.

Last year, the SEANC Scholarship Foundation and SEANC’s districts gave out more than $133,000 to help members, their spouses and their dependents attend either two- or four-year institutions. This year, you or somebody in your family could be one of those deserving winners!

An application must be turned in to your district scholarship chairperson postmarked no later than April 15. To find an application and your district’s scholarship chairperson, visit seanc.org/scholarship.

The scholarships awarded by the SEANC Scholarship Foundation and the individual districts are one of the association’s largest benefits for members.

For more information, visit seanc.org/scholarship or contact Phyllis Byrd at (919)833-6436.

DEADLINE

APPLY

In addition to the local scholarships offered by the districts, the SEANC Scholarship Foundation offers funding assistance in the following categories:

Financial Need

Winners are selected based on academic performance (40%), financial need (30%), community involvement (10%), personal statement (10%) and recommendations (10%).

Merit

Winners are selected based on academic performance (70%), community involvement (10%), personal statement (10%) and recommendations (10%).

Member-Only Winners are selected based on recommendations (30%), SEANC service (20%), career objectives (20%), personal statement (20%) and community involvement (10%).

Retiree Grandchild — Financial Need Winners are selected based on academic performance (40%), financial need (30%), community involvement (10%), personal statement (10%) and recommendations (10%).

Retiree Grandchild — Merit Winners are selected based on academic performance (40%), financial need (30%), community involvement (10%), personal statement (10%) and recommendations (10%).

Three ways to contribute to the SCHOLARSHIP FOUNDATION

District 68 provided lunch on Sept. 28 for employees at the Washington County Clerk of Court’s office in Plymouth.

District 41 visited N.C. Public Safety employees at the Hammond Road office and magistrates at the Wake County Detention Center on Oct. 6.

District 42 provided lunch for the State Treasurer's Office employees on Oct. 13.

District 22 visited Cumberland County Courthouse employees on Sept. 28.

District 17 provided lunch for Randolph County Courthouse employees on Sept. 29.

District 22 attended the Fayetteville State Employee Benefits Fair on Oct. 4.

District 62 members visited

MEMBERS IN ACTION

Trek through the mountains

The SEANC team spent a week in October trekking through the North Carolina mountains making several stops in Asheville and Morganton. Throughout the week, SEANC staff and members showed their appreciation for state employees and signed up more than 100 new members. Watch the Trek through the West video on SEANC's YouTube channel. Thanks Districts 2, 6 and 7!

J. Iverson Riddle Developmental J. Iverson Riddle Developmental

District 60 visited O’Berry Neuro-Medical Treatment Center in Goldsboro on Nov. 2.

District 44 provided lunch for NC Secretary of State’s office employees on Nov. 16.

SEANC participated in the N.C. Correctional Association’s annual training conference in Greensboro.

District 38 provided lunch for N.C. State Fair and N.C. Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services employees on Nov. 9.

District 17 provided lunch on Nov. 17 for Rockingham County Courthouse employees in Reidsville.

Substance Abuse Treatment Center

Black Mountain Neuro-Medical

District 22 members volunteered in October at the Habitat for Humanity Home Store in Fayetteville.

District 12 provided 100 snack bags to Salvation Army’s Center of Hope, Charlotte Crisis and Greenville Community Center on Oct. 11.

Dr. Jeff Cold from UNC Charlotte who volunteered to provide IT support services to OMITT Innovative Solutions, an organization committed to training employable skills to disadvantaged populations.

ECU employee joins SEANC on Oct. 27.

Pictured above are District 13 members and Public Education Chairperson Mark Dearmon at UNC Charlotte's Fall Festival on October 11.

EARONITA STRONG

Broughton Hospital

Broughton Hospital

District 22 volunteered at The Bicycleman Bike Shop in Fayetteville in December and donated bikes for children.

SEANC sponsored lunch on Dec. 15 for the 42 DMV Driver License Examiner Basic School graduates and their families.

MEMBERS IN ACTION

General Treasurer Emily Jones delivered supplies for warmth during frigid temperatures to a Wake County homeless shelter on Dec. 23. The items were donated by SEANC Emerging Leaders Council member Wanda Carlisle.

District 12 donated coats to Union County Common Heart & Mecklenburg County Department of Social Services.

Regional Representative and District 2 Chair Cliff Johnson delivered goodies provided by District 2 members for state employees in the district who worked on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day.

Emerging Leaders Council and members from various districts volunteered on Dec. 17 at SECU Family House at UNC Hospitals in Chapel Hill. They made lunch, cleaned up, decorated and helped out in other ways!

During their Christmas Social, District 16 members collected blankets for the Salvation Army Center of Hope Family Center in Winston-Salem. The items were distributed to homeless people in the community. Pictured: (seated) Phyllis Comer (l) and Cynthia Joel; (standing, l to r) Regina Watkins-Brim, Carolyn Perry, Barbara Pace, Linda Moore, Donna Sexton, District 16 Chair Willie Bailey, Joyce Crisp, Member Relations Representative Dennis Hartley, Celisa Pittman and Steve Lawson.

SEANC staff visited employees at the State Lab and North Carolina Museum of Art in Raleigh and the Child Developmental Services Agency in Fayetteville in early January.

SEANC staff showed our appreciation in January to employees at N.C. Works and Craven County Schools’ Pupil Transportation in New Bern, and Columbus County Probation Parole office and Broughton Hospital in Morganton.

SEANC's Past Presidents gathered in December for their annual holiday luncheon at the SEANC office. In addition, they took up a donation to help a charity run by District 20 Chairman and Past President Cliff Brown.

SEANC Executive Director Ardis Watkins particpated in the Dec. 1 roundtable discussion with other North Carolina Associations. Read the discussion article in the January 2023 issue of Business North Carolina magazine.