NCFlex Member Newsletter - September 2024

An Important Message for NCFlex Participants

September 2024

NCFlex Open Enrollment: Sept. 30–Oct. 25, 2025

Open Enrollment begins soon! NCFlex will join the State Health Plan for Open Enrollment this Sept. 30–Oct. 25 for the 2025 plan year.

Find helpful information on plan changes and reminders for your benefits on NCFlex's Open Enrollment webpage.

ICYMI: Take a look at our September employee session recording or slides for more on rate changes, new Flexible Spending Account details and other helpful information headed into Open Enrollment.

Get Ready for Open Enrollment

Health Care FSA for 2025

Re-enrollment is required for the NCFlex Flexible Spending Accounts to continue contributions into next year. Whether you choose to re-enroll or decline the plan, you can roll over up to $610 from your 2023 rollover and 2024 account combined into 2025 with a minimum balance of $25.

Anything over $610 will be lost if not used by December 31, 2024. You have until March 31, 2025 to file claims for the 2024 plan year. Check your account balance online or by using P&A Group's mobile app.

For the 2025 plan year, you can elect to contribute up to $3,200 and roll over a maximum of $640 into 2026.

Not sure how much to contribute in 2025?

Use our HCFSA Worksheet. Be sure to consider any rollover amount you may have. For example, if you have $200 left in your 2024 account and $500 left in your 2023 rollover, $610 of that will roll into 2025. The remaining $90 will be lost if not used by December 31, 2024.

To view an interactive eligibility list, check out the FSA Store's Eligibility Tool. Remember, anything you contribute in 2025 cannot be used for expenses dated prior to January 1, 2025.

Online Benefits Meetings

During Open Enrollment, you can attend an online benefits meeting to chat directly with an NCFlex representative. Join on Zoom from your computer, smartphone or tablet.

Meeting dates and times:

Have NCFlex Questions? Once you are in the meeting, submit questions through the Q&A feature. An NCFlex representative will either reply to your question in the chat or will answer it aloud. If you are unable to access the event, send questions to ncflex@nc.gov.

Learn More About Open Enrollment Benefits Meetings

5 Ways to Focus on Health This Fall

With the autumnal equinox days away on Sunday, September 22, fall-themed fun is just around the corner. Below you'll find five ways to celebrate the season focused on leading a healthy lifestyle.

Enjoy Seasonal Produce: Spinach, brussels sprouts, kale and pumpkin, of course! Take advantage of all the delicious and nutritious fruits and vegetables in season during the fall. Not sure where to start? This pumpkin pie smoothie is quick and easy and promotes bone health.

Take in Fall Foliage: Get your heart rate and step count up while enjoying the beautiful scenery our great state has to offer this time of year by taking one of these hikes recommended by the Economic Development Partnership of North Carolina.

Plan Ahead for Peace of Mind: Open Enrollment for your 2025 benefits runs September 30 through October 25, 2024. This is your annual opportunity to enroll in or make changes to your NCFlex benefits. Take the time now to learn more about each plan to determine the coverage that is right for you and your family.

Emphasize the Active in Seasonal Activities: Apple picking and raking leaves can be functional fitness. Watching your favorite team compete on the gridiron? Head outside during halftime and toss around a pigskin of your own. Turn attending your favorite fall festival into a way to get more steps on a Saturday. Whatever you like doing in the fall, find a way to make moving a part of it.

Seize the Opportunity to Connect: Friendship is known as an enriching aspect of life that can greatly impact our overall health, specifically boosting happiness and our sense of belonging. With plenty of holidays and other reasons to celebrate throughout September, October and November, plan gatherings that allow you to connect with friends for a mental health boost.

Miles for Wellness: Challenge 30

Register today to join other state employees in staying active and completing a virtual journey to explore 11 zoological parks nationwide. Challenge 30 begins Sept. 23 and runs through Nov. 17.

Sign up as a team or find a team to join by reviewing the list of teams seeking additional members. For questions or more information, contact milesforwellness@nc.gov.

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 or the equivalent of 5 miles achieved most days of the week.

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. Register now to get wild about wellness!

Prioritize Your Bone and Joint Health

Each month OSHR's Worksite Wellness program hosts a webinar centered around making healthier choices. September's session on Tuesday, Sept. 17 at 11:30 a.m. will focus on dietary and lifestyle modifications that promote bone and joint health.

Learn more, register or view past sessions by visiting the OSHR Wellness Webinars webpage.