Benefits Updates

RIF and Health Coverage

Employees who lose their job as a result of a reduction in force ( RIF) will continue to have coverage under the State Health Plan for up to twelve months, as long as the employee has twelve or more months of service and the employee was covered by the State Health Plan at the time of separation from service.

Employees may continue coverage for their eligible dependents during this 12-month period. The employee and any dependents will remain on the employing unit’s billing statement while receiving RIF benefits.  The employing unit is responsible for collecting and remitting any applicable premiums.

The State Health Plan will allow employees who have been RIF’d to change their health plan coverage (move from 80/20 to 70/30) and coverage type (employee-family to employee only), as long as the request is made within 30 days from the date of separation from service.

Employees can make changes to their RIF coverage within 30 days from the date of separation by logging into the benefits enrollment system or calling the Eligibility and Enrollment Center at 855-859-0966.

Employees who elect not to continue coverage under RIF immediately following separation may not obtain coverage at a later date.

After one year, the former employees and their eligible dependents may continue health coverage on a fully contributory basis. Former employees who choose to continue their coverage after their initial 12 months will be directly billed by Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Carolina.

Employees who do not have 12 months of cumulative service may continue health care coverage at full cost under COBRA (for themselves and any eligible dependents).