To forward a copy of this email to your colleagues and staff, please copy this link and send in a separate email message: www.shpnc.org/images/HBR_Update/HBRNews_Apr08.html

In This Issue

Governor Hunt Visits State Health Plan

BCBSNC and DUHS Announce Agreement

Choose OTC Medications

NC HealthSmart Health Tip

Healthy adults should aim for at least 30 minutes of exercise each day. You can break up your physical activity into 10-15 minute sessions throughout the day. It's the daily total that matters!

Diabetes Alert Day

The American Diabetes Alert Day is a one-day, "wake-up" call to inform the American public about the seriousness of diabetes. The American Diabetes Association encourages people to take the Diabetes Risk Test and find out if they are at risk for developing diabetes.

Click here for links to more information.

Quick Links...

2008 Annual Enrollment Update

Annual enrollment for BEACON Agencies began on April 1, 2008 and runs through April 25, 2008. Additional enrollment kits can be printed from the State Health Plan Web site, www.shpnc.org, or can be obtained by calling Customer Service at 1-888-234-2416. Please encourage all your employees to enroll electronically. For electronic enrollment instructions click here.

For additional information on annual enrollment and health plan options, employees can view the self-narrated presentation. Please forward the following link to your employees: http://www.shpnc.org/pdf/ae-brainshark-2008.pdf.

The 2008 annual enrollment for public school, universities, community colleges and retirees ended on March 28, 2008. All 2008 Annual Enrollment forms must be received by BCBSNC no later than April 15, 2008. Forms should be mailed to BCBSNC, P.O. Box 30111, Durham, NC 27702-3111.

Governor Hunt Visits the State Health Plan

George Stokes, Governor Hunt and Neppie Stevens

On March 26, former Governor James B. Hunt, Jr. visited the North Carolina State Health Plan to express his support and appreciation for the work of the Plan and its staff. Governor Hunt and Ms. Neppie Stevens, a member of the board of trustees for the State Health Plan and an educator with the Johnston County Public Schools, were guests at the State Health Plan's Employee Appreciation Lunch.

Click here to read the entire story on the Executive Administrator's Corner at www.shpnc.org.

Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina and Duke University Health System Announce Agreement

Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina (BCBSNC) and Duke University Health System (DUHS) announced that they have reached a multi-year agreement for DUHS to continue participating in BCBSNC's networks.

The long-term agreement means that North Carolina State Health Plan PPO members will continue to have in-network access to clinical services and health care providers from the extensive Duke University Health System.

Click here to view BCBSNC's news release announcing the multi-year agreement.

Choose Over-the-Counter Medications

Compared to their equivalent brand-name drugs, FDA-approved generics:

Contain the same active ingredients
Have the same strength and purity
Meet the same FDA manufacturing standards
Could save you as much as 60% of your out-of-pocket costs

Ask your doctor if a generic medication would work for you. Many generics have recently become available. See the table below for a cost comparison:

Brand Name

Monthly Copay

Generic

Monthly Copay

Annual Savings

Fosamax^�

$30

Alendronate sodium

$10

$240

Protonix^�

$50

Pantoprazole

$10

$480

Generic Zyrtec^�(cetirizine) and Prilosec^�OTC (omeprazole) are also now available over-the-counter at your local pharmacy.

Million Step March

Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Carolina is taking approximately 1.3 million steps to help raise awareness of the benefits of exercise.

Its newest statewide wellness campaign, the Million Step March, is a 600-mile walk across North Carolina that brings awareness to walking and other forms of physical activity as easy, low-cost ways to get active and become healthier.

We encourage State Health Plan members to participate in this worthwhile program. Click here for more information.

Note: A promotional flyer is coming soon for you to share with your employees.