If you have not already, you will soon be receiving a Benefit Choice booklet at your home address from the Department of Central Management Services (CMS) regarding this year’s Benefit Choice period for the State of Illinois Group Insurance Program. As the information will indicate, the Benefit Choice period will begin on May 1, 2020 and will extend through June 1, 2020 with benefit elections effective July 1, 2020.
The State of Illinois has recently announced that there will be several significant changes as well as new options available for the State of Illinois Group Insurance Program.
Since the State of Illinois provides this benefit and also determines the plan design and costs, the purpose of this announcement is to notify you of the main changes that have been shared with us by the State of Illinois.
Below is a high-level list of upcoming changes:
- Introduction of a Consumer Driven Health Plan and Health Savings Account
- New benefit offerings with existing plans (Telemedicine, Pharmacy, and Hearing Instruments)
- Premium contribution increases for all Health and Dental plans
- Changes to Health plan designs (copayments, deductibles, out-of-pocket maximums)
- Increase to the Medical Care Assistant Plan (MCAP) maximum contribution limit
Human Resource Services is currently working to provide additional information for employees that will soon be available on the HRS website. An email communication will be sent as soon as this information is available.
Please note, the Benefit Choice booklet reflects a Benefit Fair at NIU on May 14, 2020. Given the current restrictions on large group gatherings due to COVID-19 this event will not take place on campus. More information will soon be available regarding virtual fairs hosted by the State of Illinois.
Any changes to coverage will be elected on the MyBenefits website. The MyBenefits Service Center is available at 844-251-1777 or 844-251-1778 (TDD/TTY), Monday through Friday 8:00 am – 6:00 pm to answer questions and assist with Benefit Choice processing beginning on May 1, 2020.
