Benefits | Benefits Summary | Benefits Forms

The State Health Plan offers a wide range of health benefits to all eligible state employees, teachers, retirees and other individuals identified in the North Carolina General Statutes.

The State Health Plan offers four health plan designs for its members -- please see the State Health Plan plan comparisons page for more information.

In addition to the State Health Plan, you have 30 days to decide on optional insurance coverage available to you. If you choose not to enroll within 30 days, you will not have another opportunity to get the coverage until the next “Open Enrollment Period” for all employees which usually runs from October through November each year (specific dates may vary).

Your HR representative will give you some information to look over on each optional insurance program that will include:

• the cost of each type of insurance
• detailed information on what is covered and
• forms you’ll need to complete for any insurance you choose.

If you decide to enroll in any of these programs, the premium amount will be deducted each month from your paycheck. Some of the programs are covered under the NC Flex program that allows your premiums to be taken from your gross salary that is not taxed (saving you money). (See the NC Flex section for more information.)

If you are covered by insurance from a previous state job, talk to your HR representative about options for keeping this insurance or switching coverage.

Below is a brief description of each type of insurance benefit and a link to more information:

Dental Plan with Pacific Dental	You can choose a High Option or Low Option plan under this NC Flex option. Both options allow you to select the dentist of your choice and coverage to include yourself only or additional family members. (See the OSP NC Flex Program for more information.)
Vision Care from Superior Vision Services (SVS)*	This plan offers two plans each covering either eyeglasses or contact lenses (but not both). If you use certain providers in their network it will cost you less, but you can go to any eye care provider and pay the difference (if any) between what the insurance pays and your actual costs. You can choose Plan 1 that includes coverage for eye exams or Plan 2 that does not include eye exams. (See the OSP NC Flex Program for more information.)
Supplemental Medical	This plan is underwritten by Kanawha Insurance Company. It is designed to supplement your medical insurance plan by providing benefits for physician's office visits and inpatient hospital stays. The benefits are paid to you. This is not a replacement for the State Health Plan or other comprehensive medical coverage. (See the OSP NC Flex Program for more information.)
Cancer Insurance	Cancer Insurance is a comprehensive plan that provides coverage if you are diagnosed with certain types of cancer. This coverage is in addition to any medical or disability insurance you have in place. (See the OSP NC Flex Program for more information.)
Voluntary Accidental Death and Dismemberment Insurance (AD&D)	This insurance plan pays death benefits or pays ongoing benefits if you are injured in certain types of accidents or have disabling injuries. It covers you 24 hours per day whether on or off the job. (See the OSP NC Flex Program for more information.)
Voluntary Group Term Life Insurance	Term life insurance pays a benefit to your beneficiary(ies) when you die. You may select coverage amounts of up to $100,000 during the open enrollment period without providing "Evidence of Insurability." (See the OSP NC Flex Program for more information.)
Reliastar Term Life	Under this term life insurance, your premium is based on the amount of coverage you choose. For yourself, you may choose $20,000, $30,000, $40,000, up to $500,000 of coverage (at intervals of $10,000). You may also add coverage for your spouse or dependents based on different coverage amounts. (See pierceins.com site for more information.)
Kanawha Dental Plus	This plan reimburses you at certain rates depending on the type of services you receive and based on the length of policy ownership for certain services such as crowns and dentures. This dental policy allows you to select the dentist of your choice and coverage to include yourself only or additional family members. (See the ncbenefits.com site for more information if using Internet Explorer. The site will not work on older versions of Netscape. Click on DHHS logo.)
GE/PIC Disability	Disability Income Insurance helps replace a portion of lost wages if you become unable to work due to a covered injury or illness. (See pierceins.com site for more information.)
ARAG Legal Plan	This coverage offers two plans including in-office, telephone legal services and online legal options for legal issues covered under the plan. (See ARAGGroup.com for more information.)
TRICARE / Military Health System	Visit the Tricare section of the State Health Plan Website for more specific information on the plan. (*Available under NC Flex - premiums are deducted from pre-tax salary.)
Important Note: If you work as support staff for 10 or 11 months per year in a North Carolina school or institution, please visit the 10/11 month employees section for some additional important information about your health care benefit deductions.