NCLifeSci moves forward with health plan for members

The association health plan for NCLifeSci member companies will be delayed a year after Blue Cross Blue Shield of NC paused the effort over a miscommunication about enrollment numbers.

The plan was supposed to launch Jan. 1 but stalled when BCBSNC interpreted an initial census gauging interest from NCLifeSci member companies as a list of companies ready to enroll immediately.  

The organizations have since aligned on a new approach with the expectation of a Jan. 1, 2027, start date. NCLifeSci will send a more detailed census early this month collecting medical plan renewal dates and specific enrollment information from interested companies. BCBSNC expects to receive that data by May 1.

It is crucial that interested companies respond to this new census.

The new census will help align the launch date with employer renewal cycles and provide for better lead times. BCBSNC underwriters will spend three months assessing risk and modeling rates with the goal of providing concrete rates and minimum enrollment numbers by Aug. 1. That timeline would allow most of our member companies, which if following typical patterns, renew their current health plans in December or January, to decide whether to join the plan by Nov. 1 with a start date of Jan. 1, 2027.

If Blue Cross determines after Nov. 1 that enrollment numbers are insufficient, companies will have time to pursue other options.

NCLifeSci does expect to reach the enrollment level BCBSNC needs based on the results of the first census. This program will only be successful if eligible companies participate. Year over year premium increases should be less than they are on the open market and will be even better as more companies participate.