New partnership provides 550,000 state health plan members access to vetted network of top surgeons at no cost
Raleigh, N.C. – July 29, 2025 – North Carolina State Treasurer Bradford B. Briner announced that beginning in October, State Health Plan (Plan) members will have access to an innovative new surgical benefit. The Plan is committed to providing high-quality, low-cost care to its members and overcoming the budget deficit. The Plan is partnering with Lantern, a Specialty Care Platform, that will give Plan members who need surgery access to Lantern’s network of the region’s top surgeons and specialists at no cost to them.
“We’re excited to offer members access to Lantern’s premier network of rigorously vetted surgeons,” said Treasurer Briner. “Our team has talked to a lot of members over the last year, and we are committed to improving our plan design through higher quality choices at better rates. Investing in more primary care and waiving the cost of surgery for members through this new partnership with Lantern is something we’re really excited about.”
To support the State’s 550,000 active members and their families, Lantern will expand its already strong surgical network that includes OrthoCarolina and Raleigh Orthopedics with additional great surgeons in Raleigh-Durham, Charlotte, Greensboro, Hickory and other cities to achieve a statewide network that is convenient for all members. Plan members are incentivized to use the Lantern network to ensure better outcomes and bigger savings. Briner encourages high-quality surgeons and health systems who want to participate in this unique partnership to apply to become part of Lantern’s Network of Excellence.
“I’ve had the privilege of serving the great patients of North Carolina for over 20 years, and I’ve worked with Lantern for several years as well,” said Dr. Steve Lucey, a Greensboro-based orthopedic surgeon and member of Lantern’s Medical Advisory Board. “I’ve seen firsthand how access to high-quality, affordable surgical care makes all the difference in someone’s recovery. Lantern’s growing presence in our state means more residents won’t have to travel far to connect with exceptional surgeons. This is a win/win relationship where the state will save money, and patients will have far less out-of-pocket costs with the Lantern network of exceptional surgeons.”
“We are honored to partner with the North Carolina State Health Plan to deliver excellent surgical care to the dedicated public servants of North Carolina,” said Lantern CEO John Zutter. “Though most people don’t need surgery often, when they do, it’s a stressful time and finding the right surgeon is important. We focus on building a network of the highest quality surgeons and connecting people to the right one, at an affordable price, so they get the best outcome.”
With the addition of the State Health Plan, Lantern will serve more than 700,000 employees and their families on behalf of employers located in North Carolina, including JELD-WEN and North Carolina Health Insurance Pool.
Along with vetting providers and facilities to ensure the highest quality in its Network of Excellence, Lantern also pairs members with a dedicated care team, including care advocates and nurse navigators, for the entirety of their care journey. Members do not have to download anything or take any action to enroll in this program. More information regarding the new benefit is available on the Plan’s website at www.shpnc.org.
###
About the North Carolina State Health Plan
The State Health Plan, a division of the Department of State Treasurer, provides health care coverage to more than 740,000 teachers, state employees, retirees, current and former lawmakers, state university and community college personnel, and their dependents.
About Lantern
Lantern is the Specialty Care Platform that helps employers reduce trend in the highest growing area of spend – specialty care. Lantern’s Network of Excellence includes the top surgeons, infusion and cancer centers around the country. Lantern pairs members with a dedicated care team, including Care Advocates and nurse navigators, for the entirety of their care journey, helping them get back to good health, back to their families and back to work. That local access and personal support leads to higher utilization which results in an average 4% trend reduction for employers. Lantern is trusted by the nation’s largest employers to deliver care to more than 6 million members across the country.
