November 2022

Open Enrollment Exceptions

Now that 2023 Open Enrollment has ended, we are beginning to receive post-enrollment exception requests. We will accept these requests through March 15. Not all requests will be approved and we ask that you do not submit requests simply because an employee changed their mind or realized they needed a different plan after enrollment.

If your employee(s) missed their window due to extreme circumstances or believe an error was made while enrolling, please consider putting in an exception request sooner rather than later. NCFlex exceptions can be submitted via the form found on the HBR portion of our website and must be submitted by an HBR on behalf of the employee. Please include important details such as dependent information (if applicable) and plan information such as specific coverage level and who should be covered.

Once an exception is received by our office, here is our process:

• Review within two to three business days, approve, deny or reach out for additional details
• Approved exceptions are sent for enrollment platform changes on Tuesdays and Fridays
• Once changes are made in the enrollment platform (usually within one business day), we receive notification these changes were made
• Approval letters are sent to those who submitted the exception along with vendors and/or payroll
• If you have access to the enrollment system, please double-check that the correct changes were made

Keep in mind, NCFlex exceptions are separate from State Health Plan exceptions.

HBR Upcoming Training -

New HBR Training

In January we will hold a training for new HBRs. This training is intended for anyone who has recently taken on a role to help employees with NCFlex benefits, or benefit reps wanting a refresher. We will have two separate sessions, one to go over all of the benefits in detail and one to go over the HBR Admin Manual. Both sessions will be recorded if you are unable to attend.

Register below or on our upcoming training website.

NCFlex Coverage Continuation: Transfers and Separation from Employment

NCFlex benefits are sponsored by the state. If an employee transfers within state government (less than a 31-day break) to another agency, university, select community college or select charter school, their NCFlex benefits transfer with them. Benefits which the employee was eligible for at both employing units must remain the same during a transfer. For transfers between university to non-university or vice versa, employees may gain or lose eligibility for some NCFlex benefits.

Also, if the employee leaves employment, most of these plans have options to continue coverage either at the same rate they pay as an employee or a small percentage more.

Do you have employees thinking about retirement soon? Make sure they know their options when they leave. The following chart lists each plan and continuation options that are available: Continuation of Coverage through NCFlex