An Important Message for NCFlex Participants | |
Remember to File Your Wellness Benefits! | |
Starting January 1, 2023, participants of the NCFlex Accident and Critical Illness Plans (administered by Voya) became eligible for a wellness benefit. This benefit is payable once per year, per covered person for completing an eligible health screening test. The deadline to file a wellness claim through Voya is six months after the screening or at the end of the plan year, whichever is later.
If you participate in both plans, you can receive a wellness benefit from each for the same screening! Learn more about eligible screenings and how to file a claim here.
The NCFlex Cancer Plan (administered by Allstate) also has a wellness benefit, payable once per year, per covered person. Allstate's wellness benefit does not have a filing deadline. Non-University employees can access their Allstate account under "Quick Links" in the eBenefits platform. Anyone can access their account by visiting www.allstatebenefits.com/mybenefits.
Some screenings may overlap all three plans (Critical Illness, Accident and Cancer), meaning you could potentially have a wellness benefit from all three plans if enrolled.
Reach out to ncflex@nc.gov with any questions.
| |
Celebrate Independence Day Safely | |
|
Whether you plan to host a cookout, head to the pool, or don your patriotic best, your Fourth of July plan is likely not complete without fireworks.
According to the National Safety Council, eight people died and over 12,000 were injured badly enough to require medical treatment after fireworks-related incidents in 2017. Additionally, the National Fire Protection Agency states that fireworks start an average of 18,500 fires per year.
We encourage you to prepare for the holiday by brushing up on a few firework safety tips and considerations below:
-
Never use fireworks while impaired by drugs or alcohol. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, alcohol use slows reaction time, impairs judgment and can increase the likelihood of an accident. While the more alcohol consumed, the greater the impairment, it is never ok to handle fireworks while drinking.
-
Designate a safety perimeter and ensure children in the area remain outside it. Children and young adults under age 20 sustained 50 percent of the fireworks-related injuries reported in 2017. It's critical that young children never handle fireworks and, as a minimum, older children do so under close supervision.
-
Keep your pets in mind. Loud noises and explosives can be anxiety-inducing for our four-legged friends. Cut down on your anxiety and the likelihood of an accident by leaving them at home when attending a public fireworks display. The Humane Society suggests that you leave the curtains or blinds closed and the TV or radio on to distract them from the noise.
-
Consider safer alternatives. Even sparklers pose a serious risk, burning at about 2,000 degrees. Glow sticks, confetti poppers and bubbles offer children similarly celebratory fun with the bonus of safety.
Accidents can still happen with preparations and proper safety precautions. If they do, the NCFlex Accident Plan may be able to help. The Accident Plan pays you cash benefits for specific injuries and events resulting from covered accidents that occur on or after your coverage effective date. You can use this money however you like; examples include deductibles, other out-of-pocket medical costs, child care, housecleaning, groceries or utilities. Benefits are paid directly to you and are paid in addition to any other insurance you may have. Learn more about NCFlex's Accident Plan here. And for more on firework safety, review additional tips from the NSC here and from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security here.
| |
Get Ready to Walk with Ease | |
|
Mark your calendars! Registration for the Walk with Ease program begins on Monday, July 10.
Offered in partnership with Healthy Aging NC, this program provides tools and techniques to build and maintain a successful walking program and is a great warmup for our upcoming fall Miles for Wellness challenge. Open to all North Carolina state employees, the first 500 people to register will receive a free guidebook to help them on their walking journey.
| |
Sensible Savings Session Webinars | |
|
NCFlex, in partnership with the State Retirement System, State Employees Credit Union and Empower Retirement (State 401(k)/457), is offering a series of free financial and retirement planning webinars for State of North Carolina employees.
Make the most of your finances and resources by attending one of our Sensible Savings Sessions.
Topics Include:
- NCFlex Benefits
- Financial Wellness with NCSECU
- TSERS State Retirement Planning
- State NC 401(k) and 457 Retirement Plans with Empower (formally Prudential)
Use the links below to register for one of the three sessions or visit the Sensible Savings Sessions page.
| |
Naming (and Updating) Beneficiaries | |
|
Did you know you can name beneficiaries for NCFlex's Cancer, Critical Illness, Group Term Life and Accidental Death & Dismemberment plans? You can also update those beneficiaries at any time during the year, not just during open enrollment. Maybe you've experienced a life event such as a birth, marriage, divorce or death in the family, and you need to make some changes. There is no deadline for updating beneficiaries.
Read here to learn the importance of naming beneficiaries for your benefits, and discover what you should know about naming minors as beneficiaries in the article here.
Want to add or change your beneficiaries for your NCFlex benefits in the eBenefits platform? Find directions here. University of NC employees can make changes to beneficiaries in the Empyrean platform and can find directions here.
| |
|
Webinar Opportunities with NCFlex: July and August
NCFlex MetLife Dental &
EyeMed Vision
| |
|
In July, we will feature NCFlex MetLife Dental* and compare the three plans. We will also demonstrate how to find an in-network provider, get reviews, set appointments and view Explanations of Benefits (EOBs) and claims online.
For August, we will feature the NCFlex Vision Plan through EyeMed. We'll talk about how the plan works, vision wellness, common lens enhancements and materials and member tools and savings.
Register on our Webinar webpage or below for one of the scheduled dates and times. Bookmark the page for reference to view future events as well as recordings and slides of past events.
| |
|
Please email us at ncflex@nc.gov with any questions.
*Please note, DPS employees may have a MetLife Dental product directly through the agency that is different than the NCFlex Dental. Check with your HR representatives if you are unsure of which MetLife Dental you participate in.
| | | | |
