North Carolina § 135-48 - 22. Board powers and duties.

§ 135-48. 22. Board powers and duties.

The Board of Trustees shall have the following powers and duties: Approve benefit programs, as provided in G.S. 135-48.30(a)(2). Approve premium rates, co-pays, deductibles, and coinsurance percentages and maximums for the Plan, as provided in G.S. 135-48.30(a)(2). Approve the benefit program, premium rates, co-pays, deductibles, and coinsurance percentages and maximums for the coverage offered under G.S. 135-48.40(e). Oversee administrative reviews and appeals, as provided in G.S. 135-48.24. Approve large contracts, as provided in G.S. 135-48.33(a). Consult with and advise the State Treasurer as required by this Article and as requested by the State Treasurer. Develop and maintain a strategic plan for the Plan. History (2011-85, s. 2.10; 2012-173, s. 4(a); 2014-100, s. 35.16(b).) Premium Adjustments. - For premiums for partially contributory coverage and contributory coverage, see Session Laws 2011-85, s. 1.2(a) and (b), and related provisions, noted under G.S. 135-48.40 . Deductible, Coinsurance, and Co-payment Adjustments. - For adjustments to deductibles, coinsurance maximums, and co-payments under the Basic and Standard PPO Plans, see Session Laws 2011-85, s. 1.3(a), and related provisions, noted under G.S. 135-48.30 . Editor's Note. - The references in subdivisions (1) and (2) to G.S. 135-48.30(a)(2) were substituted for G.S. 135-48.30(2) at the direction of the Revisor of Statutes. Session Laws 2011-85, s. 3.1(a), provides: "The State Treasurer and the Board of Trustees of the State Health Plan for Teachers and State Employees shall do the following: "(1) Examine the issue of moving to a calendar year, including the costs and mechanics of doing so. "(2) Find savings through wellness programs, Medicare Advantage plans, alternative plan designs, or other resources and use those savings to offer a premium-free plan option no later than July 1, 2013. "(3) Strive to keep all premiums low by finding savings through wellness programs, Medicare Advantage plans, alternative plan designs, or other resources." Session Laws 2011-85, s. 3.1(b), provides: "The State Health Plan for Teachers and State Employees shall issue a Request for Proposals for a Medicare Advantage Plan no later than June 30, 2012." Session Laws 2013-360, s. 35.18, provides: "The Board of Trustees of the State Health Plan for Teachers and State Employees shall adopt new plan changes, beyond those already approved as of June 1, 2013, that are expected to reduce the average annual percentage increase in employer premiums needed over the next four years by at least one. The plan changes may include one or more of the following: changes to out-of-pocket requirements, changes to employee or retiree premiums, new plan options, changes in the services and products covered, changes to the provider network structure, changes to provider rates or payment methodology, incentives to Plan members to adopt or maintain healthy behaviors, incentives to Plan members to control utilization, any type of integrated health management program, fraud detection, utilization management, or changes in plan administration." Session Laws 2013-360, s. 1.1, provides: "This act shall be known as the 'Current Operations and Capital Improvements Appropriations Act of 2013.'" Session Laws 2013-360, s. 38.2, provides: "Except for statutory changes or other provisions that clearly indicate an intention to have effects beyond the 2013-2015 fiscal biennium, the textual provisions of this act apply only to funds appropriated for, and activities occurring during, the 2013-2015 fiscal biennium." Session Laws 2013-360, s. 38.5, is a severability clause. Session Laws 2014-100, s. 35.16(e), made subdivision (2a) of this section, as added by Session Laws 2014-100, s. 35.16(b), effective January 1, 2015, and applicable to plan years beginning on or after that date. Session Laws 2014-100, s. 1.1, provides: "This act shall be known as 'The Current Operations and Capital Improvements Appropriations Act of 2014.'" Session Laws 2014-100, s. 38.7, is a severability clause. Effect of Amendments. - Session Laws 2012-173, s. 4(a), effective July 1, 2012, inserted "percentages and" in subdivision (2). Session Laws 2014-100, s. 35.16(b), effective January 1, 2015, added subdivision (2a). See Editor's note for applicability.