An Important Message for NC Health Benefit Representatives

February 2024

Open Enrollment Exceptions Deadline - March 15

March 15 is the final day NCFlex will accept exceptions related to Open Enrollment benefit elections. By that time most employees have had at least two payroll periods to view benefit deductions for accuracy.

Remember any changes outside of Open Enrollment must be due to a Qualifying Life Event. We cannot make exceptions because an employee realizes they now need different benefits.

Exceptions are reviewed within one to three business days. Ensuring that the submitter provides all pertinent information can help us review these in a timely manner.

When an exception is approved:

1. It is sent to the enrollment platform that makes the change in the enrollment system.
2. NCFlex is notified when the change is made.
3. NCFlex notifies the Benefit Rep who submitted the exception with an approval form.

If an exception is denied, the Benefit Rep who submitted the exception will receive a denial form.

Please be sure to review the enrollment system for accuracy and notify NCFlex if something was not updated as noted in the approved exception form.

HBR/UBA Training - Recordings and Slides Posted

We appreciate all that you do as a main point of contact for employees when it comes to benefits. You play an important role in helping employees better understand how to utilize what they are paying for.

Earlier this month, we shared detailed presentations on NCFlex benefits and our Benefits Representative Administration Manual. If you missed these informative webinars, you can find the slides and recordings on our HBR webpage.

Some highlights include:

• Eligible expenses for each type of Flexible Spending Account and the difference between rollover and grace period
• Plans' hidden additional benefits such as the Sickness Hospital Confinement benefit on the Accident Plan
• Wellness Benefits and how employees can file those claims.
• Transferring employees vs. new hires
• Vendor contact information for HBRs/UBAs
• How a leave of absence affects benefits
• Benefits eligible for continuation upon separation and how to do so

Miles for Wellness Challenge 29

Register today to join other state employees in staying active and completing a virtual trek to 28 arenas home to National Basketball Association (NBA) teams. Challenge 29 will run from March 18-May 12, 2024.

A great way to manage stress and get moving, this Miles for Wellness challenge begins in Miami at the Kaseya Center where the Miami Heat take the court and ends at FedExForum in Memphis, Tennessee where the Memphis Grizzlies play. Have fun with this adventure and become an all-star as you virtually visit these arenas!  

Sign up as a team now or register as an individual beginning March 4.

Miles for Wellness is a virtual, team-based walking initiative by and for the state employees of North Carolina. The purpose of Miles for Wellness is to encourage and support employees to increase their level of physical activity with the goal of 10,000 steps, the equivalent of five miles, achieved most days. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, regular physical activity is one of the most important things you can do for your health. For questions or more information, contact milesforwellness@nc.gov.

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