The enrollment period for the 2010 State Health Plan (SHP) is now open and will extend into April, with coverage and benefits taking effect July 1.  A new component of the SHP this year places all members in a 70/30 Basic Plan, unless they meet the requirements for enrollment in the 80/20 Standard Plan based on compliance with a tobacco cessation requirement.

Smoking members and dependents who wish to enroll in the 80/20 Plan will be required to join a tobacco cessation program.  Once enrolled, those members may later be required to submit a one-page, physician-signed certification form.  Patients are expected to begin bringing these forms into doctors’ offices later in 2010.  The form may be completed by a physician, physician assistant, or nurse practitioner.

A copy of the form is available on the SHP website, at  http://www.shpnc.org/hbr-enrollment-matls/physician-cert-form.pdf.