Tom Friedman
Coverage of Tom Friedman in the Nexus archive.
- Blue Cross to return as the NC State Health Plan’s third-party administrator
Blue Cross NC will return as the third-party administrator for North Carolina’s State Health Plan in 2028, replacing Aetna. The decision followed a $1 billion cost difference between proposals and a previous 2023 dispute over price transparency that led to Blue Cross being replaced by Aetna.
- Premiums rise, but overall costs could fall for NC State Health Plan members under a new system
North Carolina State Health Plan members may face higher premiums but could save on care costs by using preferred providers like UNC Hospitals and Novant Health. The plan categorizes providers into preferred, access, and non-preferred tiers, with Atrium Health designated as non-preferred. A 5% premium increase was approved, sparking criticism from employee groups.
- Some retired NC state workers will pay more for health insurance. Working enrollees could save.
Retirees in North Carolina's State Health Plan will face higher copays and out-of-pocket maximums for Medicare Advantage coverage, while active state workers and teachers may save through lower costs at preferred providers. The Board of Trustees approved the changes, citing efforts to control medical costs and address reserve drains.