Treasurer Folwell Announces $1.5 Million in Savings for State Health Plan Members on Medicare Advantage Plans in 2023

Tracie Eubank on June 10, 2022

Humana Medicare Advantage Plan Members to See Zero Cost Dialysis Care and Lab Services in Urgent Care Centers and Outpatient Facilities

(Raleigh, N.C.) – State Treasurer Dale R. Folwell, CPA, and the State Health Plan (Plan) Board of Trustees today announced benefit changes for Humana® Medicare Advantage members offering a substantial decrease in the cost of critical dialysis and lab services costs, saving impacted members more than $1.5 million for the 2023 benefit year.

State Health Plan Medicare-eligible members can choose either the Humana Medicare Advantage Base Plan (90/10) or Enhanced Plan (90/10). The new copay reductions for 2023 in the Humana Group Medicare Advantage Plans provide:

  • Lab services at an urgent care facility (currently $40 copay Base; $10 copay Enhanced) will now have a $0 copay
  • Dialysis services at an outpatient facility (currently 20% coinsurance on both plans) will now have a $0 copay
  • Dialysis services at a dialysis center (currently 20% coinsurance on both plans) will now have a $0 copay

“I’m proud to announce this big win for our Medicare Advantage plan members. We’re always looking at ways to improve this benefit by making it more affordable for those that utilize it,” said Treasurer Folwell. “We are excited that Humana continues to partner with the Plan on ways to lower costs and improve health care for our members, who have faithfully taught, protected and served throughout their careers.”

The new benefit changes represent the latest savings in the 2020 Medicare Advantage Fully Insured Plan and Related Services contract with Humana. Annual cost savings under the contract will total almost $600 million over the course of the three-year contract.

The State Health Plan, a division of the Department of State Treasurer, provides health care coverage to more than 750,000 teachers, state employees, retirees, current and former lawmakers, state university and community college personnel, and their dependents.

NCRGEA Appoints Tim O’Connell As New Executive Director

Tracie Eubank on June 10, 2022

Raleigh, NC, June 10. 2022 — NCRGEA announced today that Tim O’Connell has been appointed the organization’s new Executive Director. An experienced nonprofit leader, O’Connell will succeed outgoing Interim Executive Director, Bryan Setser, and assume responsibilities on June 15, 2022. 

O’Connell has more than 30 years of experience with nonprofit organizations. He most recently served as Director of Advancement Operations, Membership, and Annual Giving for the North Carolina Museum of Art. In the past, he has also served as the Associate Executive Director for the North Carolina State University Alumni Association and the Executive Director and Vice President of Operations for YMCA of NWNC. 

“We immediately knew Tim would be a wonderful leader for NCRGEA and its new future,” said Vann Langston, NCRGEA President. “He is a man who loves public servants, understands the digital world, and is experienced in advocacy and communication. There is no doubt that Tim is committed to our members’ personal welfare and the organization’s strategic plan.” 

While at the North Carolina Museum of Art, O’Connell led a talented Museum team responsible for revenue generation and advancement operations including annual giving, membership marketing, major gifts, corporate sponsorships, event management, CRM operations, and gift processing. Donors to NCMA Foundation increased 91% over two years while membership exceeded budgeted revenue targets.

“North Carolina’s state and local public servants shoulder much of the work in ensuring we live in a healthy, safe, and educated society. As retirees, they continue to be an integral part of their communities’  social, civic, and economic vibrancy. As Executive Director of the NCRGEA, I look forward to championing the interests and well-being of the retired teachers, firefighters, sanitation workers, and all other public servants who have done so much in making North Carolina a great place to live today,” said O’Connell.

O’Connell received two master’s degrees from North Carolina State University and a bachelor’s degree from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. He has also been recognized as an Outstanding Student Adviser by the Council for Advancement and Support of Education and was a speaker for the UNC Advancement Symposium. Under his leadership, various YMCA programs were also given the Winston-Salem Journal’s Readers’ Choice Award for multiple years.

On June 10, the last day of the NCRGEA’s Celebration of Public Service Week, O’Connell was formally introduced as the new Executive Director. He also shared his vision for NCRGEA in an interview with President Vann Langston.

NCRGEA is an organization that advances, promotes, and protects the benefits, interests, and well-being of North Carolina’s retired state and local public servants. It is the voice and go-to resource for government retirees.

Join the Conference Via YouTube: Our Video Tells You How

Tracie Eubank on May 26, 2022

To make participation as easy as possible for our Celebration of Public Service Week, June 6-10, the sessions will be now delivered via YouTube. This choice makes it easier for those people who feel uncomfortable with technology. They can just click on a link and watch the sessions, without worrying about setting up a Zoom app, etc.

However, for those conference attendees who wish to chat with presenters, they must have a YouTube account so they can log into the platform each day of the conference. Bingo participants will also be required to login as well. Click on the video link to see a demonstration on how to create an account and the steps for logging into YouTube.

Don’t forget to tell friends about the conference. There’s still time to learn more about the sessions and register!

Link – YouTube: How to Sign Up and Log In

Pre-Event Sessions Available on YouTube: Celebration of Public Service Week

Tracie Eubank on May 20, 2022

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As part of our free, virtual conference, our Pre-Event Sessions on Digital Communications are now available on the NCRGEA – YouTube. Learn more about using Zoom and Google, or explore how to recognize and provide protection against Elder Fraud. 

    • Leave Your House While Sitting on the Couch: Zoom Basics and Beyond (3-part series)

    • Get Out of the Search Bar To Explore the World of Google (2-part series)

    • Elder Fraud: Protect Yourself and Your Loved Ones (6-part series)

Learn more about our Celebration of Public Service Week. 

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NCRGEA Addresses Commissioners’ Meeting About Property Taxes

Tracie Eubank on May 18, 2022

NCRGEA staff member, Margaret Burrell, spoke at the Wake County Board of Commissioners Meeting on Monday, May 16, 2022 on behalf of senior citizens hurt by increased property taxes due to new construction. Margaret urged the board to establish a cutoff point for taxes for those on fixed incomes. In addition, she advocated for increased income limits on the Tax Relief Program serving those 65 years or older.

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