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The State Health Plan of North Carolina administers two Preferred Provider Organization (PPO) plans to UNC faculty and staff (SHRA & EHRA), and they are underwritten by Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Carolina, which offers coverage for in-network and/or out-of-network providers. The University contributes toward the monthly cost of coverage for regular full-time employees. If have any questions, contact us at benefits@unc.edu.

 

 

State Health Plan of North Carolina

Two Preferred Provider Organization (PPO) plans are available to UNC faculty and staff:

  • 70/30 PPO Plan is a traditional preferred provider organization (PPO) plan that offers freedom of choice among in-network providers, lower out-of-pocket costs and a strong emphasis on preventive health.
    • Affordable Care Act (ACA) preventive services and medications require the applicable co-pay.
  • 80/20 PPO Plan is a traditional preferred provider organization (PPO) plan that offers freedom of choice among in-network providers, lower out-of-pocket costs and a strong emphasis on preventive health.
    • Affordable Care Act (ACA) preventive services covered at 100% if performed by an in-network provider and wellness premium credits that reduce your monthly cost.

The amount you pay depends on your selected plan level, who you cover and your completed wellness credits. If you are paid one time per month, the full monthly rate is deducted from your paycheck. If you are paid every two weeks, one half of the monthly rate is deducted from the first two paychecks in the month.

Health insurance premiums are paid one month in advance of coverage, and premiums are deducted from your paycheck on a pre-tax basis.

Part-time employees (20-29 hours worked per week) are responsible for paying the employee and employer share of the premium.

View current rates for the State Health Plan on the North Carolina State Health Plan website.

If you are a new-hire or become eligible for coverage due to a qualifying life event and enroll in the plan, benefits begin on the first day of the month following your event date. You have 30 calendar days starting from your event date to enroll and coverage begins on the first day of the month following your event date.

If you experience a qualifying life event during the year, you may add or drop dependents but you may not change the benefit plan level. You may change your plan level and drop/add dependents during open enrollment and the changes become effective on January 1.

If an employee terminates between the 1st – 15th of the month their medical coverage will terminate on the last day of the month in which their employment ends.

Example: Employee termination date is 9/5/2019, medical coverage will terminate on 9/30/2019.

If an employee terminates between the 16th – the last day of the month their coverage will terminate on the last day of the month following the month their employment ends.

Example: Employee terminates on 9/20/2019, medical coverage will terminate on 10/31/2019.

Health Plan enrollment and changes are made through ConnectCarolina Self Service (Click: My Benefits, Click: Benefits Enrollment) or call the Benefits and Eligibility Hotline at: 855-859-0966.

 

 

High Deductible Health Plan

UNC-Chapel Hill offers the High Deductible Health Plan (HDHP) through the State Health Plan of North Carolina. Non-permanent (Temporary) employees working an average of 30 (.75 FTE) or more hours per week are eligible for coverage under this plan. The UNC Benefits Team will notify you via UNC email if you are eligible for this coverage.

This High Deductible Health Plan features Affordable Care Act (ACA) preventive care services and certain medications covered at 100% with in-network providers. For other services, a large deductible must be met before it will pay claims. The University contributes a portion of the monthly towards the plan’s cost.

You can learn more about the HDHP, including the cost, at State Health Plan HDHP page of the North Carolina State Health Plan website.

The HDHP plan is a prepaid plan, which means you will pay premiums one month in advance through a direct bill received from the State Health Plan’s billing administrator, Itedium.

Once you are eligible for this plan, you will have 30 days to elect coverage. Coverage will start the first day of the month following enrollment. Coverage ends the last day of the month in which eligibility change or employment end occurs. For example if employment ends on 12/22, coverage ends on 12/31.
If you have been notified of your eligibility:

 

 

Postdoc Medical Insurance Plan

Health insurance benefits exist for all eligible postdocs. Eligible Postdocs must be classified as either a Postdoc Research Associate or a Postdoc Research Trainee and temporary full-time in the UNC Payroll system. Monthly health insurance premiums for individual postdocs are covered by the institution (dept. or funding source), NOT by the postdoc. Postdocs are responsible for covering monthly premiums for spouses and children. The Postdoc Medical Insurance Plan is underwritten by Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina (BCBSNC). A waiver form must be signed if the postdoctoral scholar decides he/she does not want to enroll for health coverage benefits.

Post-docs are responsible for covering monthly premiums for spouses and children.

View rates for Postdoc Medical Insurance

Coverage begins on the first day of the month following the month of the Postdoc’s appointment effective date.More information about the Postdoc Medical Insurance Plan.
Postdocs must complete the enrollment forms and return the BCBSNC forms to the department manager or Human Resources (HR) facilitator in their department. The department manager or HR facilitator will mail the completed forms to BCBSNC.

The Postdoc should mail the completed campus health forms to:

Campus Health Services
James A. Taylor Building
CB #7470
Chapel Hill, NC 27599.

 

 

North Carolina Health Choice Plan

Families who make too much money to qualify for Medicaid but too little to afford rising health insurance premiums can get free or reduced-price comprehensive health care for their children through the North Carolina Health Choice for Children program.