RALEIGH — A week after the North Carolina State Health Plan tiers and premium adjustments were announced, Atrium Health put out a statement expressing concerns over its services now being in the nonpreferred provider tier. The Department of State Treasurer and State Health Plan released a statement in response, comparing Atrium to “a World Cup team that loses and immediately blames the referee.” The state Treasurer’s Office included an image highlighting the State Health Plan meetings with Atrium. According to the Treasurer’s Office, Atrium did not respond to a public announcement in June 2026 emphasizing the State Health Plan Board of Trustees’ openness for partners. Following the announcement of the State Health Plan tiers and premiums, WakeMed was placed into the nonpreferred tier alongside Atrium Health.