N.C. State Health Plan Contracts With 3 Clinically Integrated Networks

The North Carolina State Health Plan, which provides health benefits to nearly 740,000 teachers, state employees, retirees, and their dependents, has approved contracts with three clinically integrated networks (CINs): Aledade, Community Care Physician Network, and UNC Health Alliance. These agreements represent the first phase of the Plan’s new preferred provider strategy.

By partnering with clinically integrated networks that have proven quality and performance as well as cost transparency, the goal is for member health to improve and costs for the Plan to go down. Plan members also benefit from lower co-pays for preferred providers.

There are approximately 4,500 providers throughout North Carolina in these CINs.  

“In 2025, we had a revenue problem. In 2026, we have a cost problem,” said Treasurer Brad Briner, who chairs the Board of Trustees, in a statement. “This preferred provider strategy is one of the tools we are using to confront that challenge head-on — by rewarding quality, improving coordination of care and bending the cost curve in a way that aims to protect our members.”

“As the state’s Health Care System, UNC Health and UNC Health Alliance are proud to partner with the N.C. State Health Plan in expanding affordable access to exceptional care throughout North Carolina,” said Mark Gwynne, D.O., UNC Health chief value officer, in a statement. “Central to this mission is strengthening our primary care network, particularly in underserved rural communities, where we remain deeply committed to making a difference. Together we’re working to ensure all North Carolinians receive the quality care they deserve.”

Many of North Carolina’s smaller — and often rural — providers face administrative burdens like processing prior authorizations and time-consuming claims processes. Their time is better spent delivering care, the Plan said. These contracts include supports meant to lessen those burdens and place their efforts more toward patients.

"This effort shows that investing in independent primary care is a win-win for North Carolina physicians and state employees — demonstrating that incentivizing preventive care keeps employees healthy, ensures access to care statewide and saves money for the system in the long run," said Alex Mullineaux, Aledade North Carolina market president, in a statement. "Aledade is proud to support this innovative approach and hopes it can serve as a model for others looking to make the system work better for all of us."

“Community Care of North Carolina’s advocacy for community-based primary care aligns with the value-based program the State Health Plan has proposed to support front-line medical homes in North Carolina. We strongly believe that community-based primary care led by independent clinicians is the best and highest-value approach for the Plan going forward to best serve its members across the state,” said Tom Wroth, M.D., CEO of Community Care of North Carolina Inc., in a statement.

In addition to partnering with the CINs, the Plan is working with several innovative companies, including Lantern, which is building a high-quality, carefully selected surgeon network for members who need a planned, non-emergency procedure. Members who utilize a Lantern provider will benefit from a $0 cost surgery.

The Plan is also working with Ventricle Health, a value-based cardiology provider network that increases access to care, improves outcomes and reduces cost for people with heart failure and other cardiac conditions. It also is partnering with Hinge Health, a digital exercise therapy program, and Hello Heart, a digital heart preventative health program.