State health plan News and Reporting Coverage | WRAL

DRAUGHON DRAWS: The General Assembly and the State Treasurer raise some eyebrows

Wednesday, Dec. 3, 2025-- Capitol Broadcasting Company's editorial cartoonist

Transgender state employees, family members in NC to lose some health coverage

Several hundred people on the State Health Plan could be affected by the federal court ruling ending state coverage of treatments for gender dysphoria.

Will Doran, WRAL

Thousands of state workers might need to find new doctors, NC officials fear

A fight between health care giants, Duke and Aetna, is worrying state leaders more and more. Duke Health and Aetna have a deadline of Oct. 20 to come to an agreement. Otherwise, those with Aetna would no longer be covered at Duke Health facilities.

NC officials begin process to help thousands of state workers switch doctors, as Duke negotiations sour

State officials on Friday voted to approve a resolution that will formally start the work to identify new potential doctors for people who are at risk of losing their doctor unless Duke Health and Aetna can resolve their differences before Oct. 20 when their contract expires.

Will Doran, WRAL state government reporter

Aetna-Duke Health talks could take doctors out of state health plan

North Carolina's state treasurer is wading into a contract battle between Duke Health and Aetna, worried that the outcome could increase costs for state employees and retirees.

State workers could face another health premium hike, depending on Duke-Aetna contract fight

North Carolina's state treasurer is wading into a contract battle between Duke Health and Aetna, worried that the outcome could increase costs for state employees and retirees.

Will Doran, WRAL state government reporter

DRAUGHON DRAWS: State Health Plan's financial instability

Wednesday, Aug. 20, 2025-- Capitol Broadcasting Company's editorial cartoonist

Teachers, state employees react to health insurance rate hikes

Costs are going up for most of the nearly 800,000 people on the North Carolina State Health Plan, which provides insurance for teachers, state employees, retirees and their families.

Higher income, higher premiums for state workers

Costs are going up for most of the nearly 800,000 people on the North Carolina State Health Plan, which provides insurance for teachers, state employees, retirees and their families.

NC State Health Plan leaders vote to raise health insurance premiums on state workers

Costs are going up for most of the nearly 800,000 people on the North Carolina State Health Plan, which provides insurance for teachers, state employees, retirees and their families.

Will Doran, WRAL state government reporter

Higher premiums coming: NC State Health Plan to undergo major overhaul in 2026

North Carolina's state health plan is poised for a major overhaul Friday, leading to higher premiums and out-of-pocket costs for most of the plan's 750,000 members.

Laura Leslie, WRAL capitol bureau chief

No-cost surgeries for state employees on the way by fall 2025, NC leaders say

Bidding is underway now between surgeons who are offering to work for less whenever state employees walk through their doors, in exchange for a guaranteed stream of patients on the North Carolina State Health Plan.

Will Doran, WRAL state government reporter

Stopgap spending bill on its way to Gov. Josh Stein for his signature

Public schools, universities and the State Health Plan would get funding for continuing operations under a mini budget, while lawmakers remain at an impasse over a full state budget plan. The bill also contained a provision to create a government efficiency program to be run by the state auditor.

NC lawmakers send 'mini budget' and DOGE-style plan to Stein

Public schools, universities and the State Health Plan would get funding for continuing operations under a mini budget, while lawmakers remain at an impasse over a full state budget plan. The bill also contained a provision to create a government efficiency program to be run by the state auditor.

WRAL News staff reports

NC lawmakers reach deal on 'mini budget' plan

Public schools, universities and the State Health Plan could see efforts by the state legislature to keep them funded, even as lawmakers have failed to reach agreements on a full state budget plan.

NC lawmakers reach deal on 'mini budget' plan to fund some basic state functions

Public schools, universities and the State Health Plan could see efforts by the state legislature to keep them funded, even as lawmakers have failed to reach agreements on a full state budget plan.

Will Doran, WRAL state government reporter

Duke Health could drop Aetna over contract dispute. State employees among the thousands affected

Duke's fight with Aetna for more favorable rates comes as the university faces other financial pressures, mostly from the federal government.

Will Doran, WRAL state government reporter

Higher bills, new benefits on the way for State Health Plan members in NC

Deductibles will double for some, premiums could potentially more than double, and people on the plan will also find themselves paying more for prescriptions, primary care visits and other costs.

Will Doran, WRAL state government reporter

Wealth and health: NC treasurer talks new pension strategy, weight-loss drug coverage and more

North Carolina State Treasurer Brad Briner spoke with WRAL News about plans to tackle the state health plan deficit, bringing back coverage of popular weight-loss drugs, and a new investment philosophy for the state pension plan.

State seeks to reinstate weight loss drug coverage for NC government workers

Less than a year after cutting coverage of GLP-1 weight loss drugs such as Wegovy, the North Carolina State Health Plan is now asking the legislature to pay for bringing back coverage.

Will Doran, WRAL state government reporter

NC Senate looks to stop expanding health insurance mandates for millions, including state employees

North Carolina mandates 58 types of medical coverage that health insurance must pay for. Republican state senators are backing a bill to ensure that list will never grow larger, citing concerns over rising costs.

Will Doran, WRAL state government reporter

State Health Plan could increase $20-$50 per month based on salary

The State Health Plan is considering a major overhaul of its pricing structure, likely leading to premium increases for most state employees by 2026.

State Health Plan premiums likely to increase for most workers by 2026

The State Health Plan is considering a major overhaul of its pricing structure, likely leading to premium increases for most state employees by 2026.

State Health Plan board set to approve changes

The governing board of the State Health Plan is expected to give state treasurer Brad Briner the go-ahead Friday to overhaul pricing for state workers.

State Health Plan board set to approve sliding scale for premiums

The governing board of the State Health Plan is expected to give state treasurer Brad Briner the go-ahead Friday to overhaul pricing for state workers.

Laura Leslie and Emily Walkenhorst, WRAL News