May 2023

Protect Yourself from Skin Cancer

In 2019, there were 3,442 cases of melanoma reported in North Carolina, according to the most recent data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).  As one of the most common cancers in young people¹, it is imperative to take the needed precautions to protect your skin from this preventable disease.

Precautions² include limiting exposure to UV rays by seeking shade, lathering on SPF 30+ sunscreen. It is recommended to wear clothing and a hat that covers or shades the skin, as well as sunglasses. Second, make sure to avoid tanning beds and sunlamps. And lastly, protect children from harmful rays as well!

As a reminder, sunscreen SPF 15 and above is Health Care FSA eligible. If diagnosed with melanoma, you may be eligible for benefits under the Cancer and Critical Illness Plans.

¹ https://www.cancer.org/cancer/melanoma-skin-cancer/about/key-statistics.html

² https://www.cancer.org/cancer/melanoma-skin-cancer/causes-risks-prevention/prevention.html

Learn more about skin cancer, success stories, and more sun safety tips by visiting the CDC website.

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.

Learn how to make the most of your finances and resources during 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)

The sessions are being offered on three different dates, please use the links below to register or you can visit the Sensible Savings Sessions page:

NCFlex June Webinar -

Continuation of Benefits and Life Events

In June, we will discuss the options for continuation of NCFlex benefits after leaving employment or retiring, life events that may allow you to make changes mid-year and how to make those changes in the enrollment system.

Register on our Webinars Page or from the above links. We will also post the recordings on the Webinars Page after the event. Bookmark the page for later use. Please email us at ncflex@nc.gov with any questions.

Dependent Day Care Qualifying Life Events

If your situation with dependent day care changes and you need to adjust your contributions, you may be eligible to use the life event reason "Daycare change" in the Benefits Enrollment System to make changes to your Dependent Day Care Flexible Spending Account (DDCFSA).

Some situations that may qualify:

• Child care/adult daycare stops
• Child care/adult daycare starts (such as summer camp or when a parent goes back to work after the birth of a child)
• Child care/adult daycare costs change (such as a child starts kindergarten and before and/or after-school care is less than full-time daycare or camp)
• Your spouse stops working

This life event is intended to allow changes to the DDCFSA as life happens, to avoid over or under-contributing into the plan. You have 30 days from the date of an event to make changes to your account. The annual maximum still remains $5,000 per household.

To make changes, log into the Benefits Enrollment Platform* or contact Benefitfocus at 1-855-859-0966. The "reason for change" would be "Daycare change". Documentation is required for life events. For a daycare change, provide written proof from the dependent daycare provider stating the change in cost or enrollment status OR complete the NCFlex DDCFSA Qualifying Life Event Form.

To learn more about the plan and how to file a claim, visit our FSA Documents page. Email ncflex@nc.gov with any questions.

*When visiting the Benefits Enrollment page, click the button for your enrollment system. If your employer is not listed, select the "eBenefits" button or contact your HR representative for assistance.