Costs will rise next year for NC state employees and teachers who use most WakeMed services

Starting next year, North Carolina state employees and teachers using the State Health Plan will face higher out-of-pocket costs when seeking treatment at WakeMed, now classified as a "non-preferred" provider. This shift is part of a new ranking system that incentivizes members to use more cost-effective healthcare providers. The rising costs could impact many state workers and educators, who may now need to consider alternative healthcare options to manage their medical expenses. This change highlights the ongoing challenges in balancing healthcare costs with provider competition.