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April 2008
NCMS Plan's 10th Anniversary
On August 1st, 2008, the
North Carolina Medical Society Employee Benefit Plan (NCMS Plan) completes
its 10th year of partnering with physician practices to provide employee
benefits. The NCMS Plan, sponsored by the North Carolina Medical Society,
continues to be a unique choice in the benefits marketplace, offering competitive
health, dental, and life products and pricing with a focus on meeting the
needs of the physician community. As always, we thank you for your commitment
and loyalty to the NCMS Plan, and we look forward to serving you and your
employees for another decade and beyond. New Plan Year (2008-2009) Begins
August 1st
With the beginning of
the 2008-2009 plan year approaching, here is important information you need
to know: 2008 Survey: Satisfaction Remains
High
The NCMS Plan conducted
its annual Customer Survey in February. Again this year, the response rate
was excellent with over one-third of all surveys returned. We appreciate the
feedback and we are happy to report that NCMS Plan practices continue to have
a positive overall feeling towards the NCMS Plan and the service provided. ·
95% would recommend the NCMS Plan to others. Same as last
year. ·
96% of respondents felt that customer service provided by MMIC
Agency, Inc. was good or excellent. Up from 94% last year. ·
88% of respondents felt that the NCMS Plan was a good value
for the money. Up from 84% last year. ·
91% of respondents were satisifed with the accessibility and
responsiveness of their agent. Up from 87% last year. We are pleased with the
results of the survey, but acknowledge there are areas where we can improve.
As an example, we will work closely with MetLife, the NCMS Plan dental
carrier, to monitor and improve their service to you. MetLife received an 83%
satisfaction rating, not bad by most standards, but a rating that we believe
can be improved. Small Business Health Insurance Tax
Credit
Effective for tax years
beginning on or after January 1, 2007, small businesses in North Carolina
that provide qualifying health insurance for all of its eligible employees
during the taxable year may be able to claim a tax credit. A taxpayer that
employs no more than twenty-five (25) eligible employees at any one time
during the taxable year is considered a small business. Ask George
Question: My son is
attending a university in another state and may need to have medical
services. Can he receive our benefits out-of-state? George Fanelli is an
Account Service Representative with the NCMS Plan. If you have a question you
would like answered in a future issue of CHOICES, e-mail George at george.fanelli@mmicnc.com. Copy/Paste
Member Services
Feel free to
customize and share this article with your employees in your newsletter, on
your intranet, by e-mail, or on a bulletin board. ·
Enroll in health programs to help you get started on the road
to better health. ·
Get advice from a specially trained nurse. ·
Earn prizes for health activities. ·
View your claims history. Visit www.bcbsnc.com/memberservices/public/demo
to take a tour of Member Services. To register go to www.bcbsnc.com/memberservices. Form 5500 Not Required
Employers participating
in a self-funded multi-employer welfare association (the health benefits of
the NCMS Plan) do not have to file a Form 5500 on that benefit plan as long
as the NCMS Plan is making a filing. The NCMS Plan files a Form 5500 so participating
employers do not have to. Wellness in the Workplace
According to estimates
by Be Active North Carolina, Inc., physical inactivity and poor nutrition
cost North Carolina $24 billion per year in health care expenses, lost
productivity and workers' compensation. Workplace wellness programs are
demonstrated to reduce these costs, yet few employers implement such
programs. Many believe that wellness programs are too expensive, or take too
much time. The fact is that many programs and policies cost nothing and can
take little to no time to implement, such as: ·
Make your workplace entirely smoke-free ·
Allow employees to use sick time for preventive care physician
visits ·
Provide healthy snack options in break rooms ·
Encourage and remind employees to get routine physical exams
and screenings ·
Consider offering on-site health screenings Free and low-cost
resources are available online at www.fittogethernc.org,
www.beactivenc.org, and www.welcoa.org. Practice Manager's Forum
New Network Delivers Urgent Drug and
Product Recalls by E-Mail
Have you ever wished
that you knew about drug recalls and medical product safety issues sooner? A
nationwide initiative that began in March of 2008 will soon make that
possible. The Health Care Notification Network will alert physicians and
practice administrators by e-mail of urgent drug and product recalls and FDA
warnings.
About the North Carolina Medical
Society
As the largest physician
organization in the state, the North Carolina Medical Society (NCMS) is
devoted to representing the interests of physicians and protecting the
quality of patient care. The NCMS Plan, sponsored by the NCMS, is the only
statewide employee benefits plan designed specifically for North Carolina
physicians. |
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© 2007 North Carolina Medical Society Employee Benefit
Plan. All rights reserved. |
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