The State Health Plan (Plan) held its inaugural meeting of the newly established Medical Policy Advisory Committee on Feb. 25. The committee’s work is intended to strengthen the Plan’s ability to evaluate emerging treatments, ensure evidence-based decision-making and promote high-quality, patient-centered care for members.
The committee will serve in an advisory capacity to the Plan, offering independent, physician-led clinical insight on benefit design and medical policy decisions. The committee is comprised of 17 voting members — all licensed physicians representing a variety of medical specialties across North Carolina.
“Our goal is always to provide the best possible outcome for our members,” said Treasurer Brad Briner, who chairs the State Health Plan Board of Trustees (BOT). “These physicians, from across our state, will give us invaluable insight into best practices while also helping us to maintain our commitment to financial sustainability.”
The committee is charged with reviewing and reporting on recent medical advances applicable to the Plan’s current benefits. It will also make clinical and quality standard recommendations to update the Plan’s benefits and medical policies, as appropriate.
“This is an important opportunity to bring front-line, pragmatic, clinical perspective into policy discussions and to ensure that recommendations reflect high standards of quality, evidence and patient care,” said Dr. Brian Miller, who serves as Chair of the Medical Policy Advisory Committee and is also a member of the BOT.
“I’m excited that we have clinical expertise available to assist us as we navigate our priorities to improve the health outcomes of our members,” said Tom Friedman, State Health Plan Executive Administrator.
The committee was created pursuant to statutory authority granted to the State Treasurer to provide clinical expertise and recommendations related to the Plan’s medical benefits and policies.
Additional information about the advisory committee is posted on the Plan’s website.