NCFlex HBR Newsletter - February 2026

An Important Message for NC Health Benefit Representatives

February 2026

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 review 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 those submitting exceptions provide all pertinent information can help us review these in a timely manner.

When an exception is approved:

It is sent to the enrollment platform, which makes the change in the enrollment system.
NCFlex is notified when the change is made.
NCFlex sends an approval form to the Benefit Rep who submitted the exception.

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 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.

In January, 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
Qualifying Life Events and supporting documentation
Transferring employees vs. new hires
Who to contact for escalated issues and questions
How a leave of absence affects benefits
Benefits eligible for continuation upon separation and how to do so

Disabled Dependents Aging Off NCFlex Plans

When a child is covered as a dependent on an employee's NCFlex benefits and turns 26 years old, they are automatically removed from these benefits at the end of their birth month.

Sometimes employees may want to keep a disabled child on their benefits even after they turn 26. To do so, the child's disability must have started before age 26. Additionally, the child must be covered on a plan before age 26 to stay on that plan.

For most NCFlex Plans, we can approve the child to stay on a plan past age 26 by reviewing an approved State Health Plan (SHP) disabled dependent verification form uploaded to the enrollment system. However, MetLife requires a separate form to be completed and approved so that the child can remain on an employee's Dental Plan.

Once the approved SHP disabled dependent form has been uploaded to the enrollment system and/or the MetLife form has been approved by MetLife, please request the child remain on the employee's plans by submitting an NCFlex exception for non-universities or a case for universities. When completing the exception form or case, please list the specific plans on which the employee would like to keep their dependent.

For questions, reach out to ncflex@nc.gov.

Have Tax Questions? - Ask the Experts!

Tax season is here, and NCFlex members are invited to attend Ask the Experts—a series of free, online Q&A sessions with TurboTax® specialists, brought to you by MetLife Legal Plans.

Members can ask questions on topics like life changes, investments, deductions, and lowering taxable income, and get answers in real time. No legal plan enrollment is required to participate. Members can also take advantage of 20% off TurboTax Federal tax preparation products, even if they are not enrolled in a MetLife Legal Plan or do not have tax preparation coverage. Sessions are offered throughout the tax season, with multiple dates available. View the MetLife flyer to learn more about these sessions.

Miles for Wellness Challenge 33

Register today to join other state employees in staying active. Challenge participants will virtually venture along a beach-inspired trail of 14 popular spring break getaway spots! Challenge 33 will run from March 9-May 3, 2026.

A great way to manage stress and get moving, this Miles for Wellness challenge can help you incorporate movement into your daily life while fostering connections with your colleagues.

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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