Novant Health, a 19-hospital system headquartered in Winston-Salem, N.C., has partnered with the North Carolina State Health Plan — which is administered by Aetna — to expand access to “no-cost surgical care” for hundreds of thousands of plan members across the state.
The partnership expands the State Health Plan’s Lantern surgical benefit, which offers eligible members no out-of-pocket costs for certain nonemergent surgeries performed by participating Lantern providers.
Through the agreement, State Health Plan members will gain access to Lantern-designated surgical services at multiple Novant Health locations. Officials said the collaboration is intended to provide more convenient, local access to high-value surgical care.
“Our plan members live and work across our state, not just in big urban centers,” State Treasurer Brad Briner said in a March 5 news release. “This partnership with Novant Health brings surgeries closer to home for many of our members while at the same time reflecting our commitment to improving health and financial outcomes.”
The Lantern surgical benefit launched in fall 2025 and provides eligible members with no out-of-pocket costs for select surgical procedures when performed by participating providers.
“We’re committed to exploring innovative ways to deliver high quality, affordable care to patients across the Carolinas,” Novant Health Executive Vice President and Chief Medical Officer Pam Oliver, MD, said. “We’re proud to partner with the State Health Plan and Lantern to give North Carolina state employees access to affordable surgical care close to home.”
Specialties available through the program include orthopedics, spine care, bariatrics, general surgery, heart and vascular care and women’s services.
The State Health Plan, a division of the Department of State Treasurer, provides healthcare coverage to more than 750,000 teachers, state employees, retirees and their dependents, according to its website.
Novant Health operates nearly 900 care locations, including 19 hospitals and more than 750 physician clinics, urgent care centers and outpatient facilities across North Carolina and South Carolina.
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