The taxpayers of North Carolina invest in teachers and state employees by offering eligible employees full medical and pharmacy benefits through the State Health Plan (Plan). The state pays for the majority of your health plan benefit, with employees subsidizing the coverage for any dependents you choose to add on to the Plan. The mission of the Plan is to improve the health and health care of North Carolina teachers, state employees, retirees, and their dependents, in a financially sustainable manner, thereby serving as a model to the people of North Carolina for improving their health and well-being.

The Plan provides health care coverage to more than 700,000 teachers, state employees, retirees and their dependents. The Plan contracts with a Third Party Administrator, currently Aetna, to provide a provider network and process health care claims. Approved claims are paid by the state using taxpayer provided funds.

The Plan offers two Preferred Provider Organization (PPO) plans to all employees, except those that are classified as temporary: the Enhanced 80/20 Plan and the Base 70/30 Plan. These PPO plans provide freedom of choice among in-network providers, lower out-of-pocket costs, and offer financial incentives for taking steps to improve your health. The Plan maintains a wealth of benefits and healthcare information on its website, www.shpnc.org, to help empower members to take control of their individual health, health costs and health benefit options.