The FY2026 Benefit Choice period will run from May 1 through June 2, 2025, with benefit elections effective July 1, 2025. Employees are encouraged to visit the State of Illinois MyBenefits website and review the FY26 Benefit Choice Booklet for detailed information. The NIU HRS website also has been updated as a resource for employees.
During the annual Benefit Choice period, members may change health plans, add or drop dental or dependent coverage, make changes in life insurance coverage, and opt out or opt in to the group insurance program. Employees are also reminded that they must re-enroll each year in the MCAP, DCAP, and/or HSA programs and may enroll in the Sick Leave Bank during the Benefit Choice period.
While it is important to review all the information in the FY26 Benefit Choice Booklet, below is a list of changes that may impact you:
- Health Alliance HMO will no longer be an available option.
- Premium contribution increases for all Health and Dental plans.
- Changes to health plan designs.
- Health plan availability by county is changing.
- Spouse life coverage is reduced when the covered spouse reaches age 60.
- MCAP maximum contribution limit increasing to $3,300.
- MCAP rollover amount increasing to $660.
- HSA employee contribution limits increasing by $133.34 for individual coverage and $216.68 for family coverage.
- Medicare split family coverage introduced for retirees, annuitants, and survivors.
Online Enrollment Platform
All FY2026 Benefit Choice changes and elections will be processed through the MyBenefits website. The MyBenefits website is accessible via smartphone or tablet, and employees without computer access also can call the MyBenefits Service Center for assistance with processing Benefit Choice changes and elections.
MyBenefits Service Center
Customer Service toll free number: 1-844-251-1777
TTY/TTD toll free number: 1-844-251-1778
Monday – Friday 8 a.m. – 6 p.m. CST
Deadlines
Employees will have from May 1 to June 2, 2025, to process their enrollments or make changes. The Benefit Choice event can be accessed multiple times throughout the month and will ultimately be processed at midnight on June 2, 2025. Whatever changes have been entered at that time will be processed.
Any required documentation must be uploaded to the online system by June 12, 2025, to ensure timely transmission to the carriers. However, any documentation received after June 2, 2025, may result in a delay of ID cards.
State of Illinois Benefit Choice Open Enrollment Fair
The State of Illinois will host an on-campus fair from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Friday, May 9, 2025, in the Holmes Student Center (HSC) Regency Room, State representatives will be there to answer questions and will also host two identical presentations on FY26 plan benefits and changes in the HSC Carl Sandburg Auditorium at 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. Various benefit vendors will be at the fair to answer questions as well.
The fair is open to all active and retired members/spouses not enrolled in a Medicare Advantage Prescription Drug (MAPD) plan. Employees are provided release time to attend the fair.
Virtual Fairs: May 1 and May 21, 2025
The State of Illinois will also host virtual Benefit Choice Open Enrollment Fairs at 11 a.m. on Thursday, May 1, and Wednesday, May 21, 2025. Please visit the State of Illinois website for more information on how to attend the virtual member fairs.
Sick Leave Bank Donation for Regular Faculty, Supportive Professional Staff (SPS) and Civil Service
The university has established a Sick Leave Bank program in which regularly appointed faculty, supportive professional staff and civil service employees are eligible to participate. Regularly appointed employees may elect to join the Sick Leave Bank during the Benefit Choice period May 1 through June 2, 2025. Employees interested in joining should visit the NIU HRS website for more information and to complete the sick leave bank online enrollment form.
For FY26, there will be no requirement for current participants to donate additional sick days to maintain participation due to the adequacy of donated sick days remaining on balance as of this date.
Sick Leave Bank Donation for Temporary Faculty
Temporary faculty represented by the Union Professionals of Illinois have separate sick leave bank and their donation period is August 16 through October 31, 2025. Additional information will be distributed in August.
Questions
Employees should contact MyBenefits Service Center at (844) 251-1777 or (844) 251-1778 (TTD/TTY) with questions about navigating the MyBenefits website or for assistance with Benefit Choice changes and elections. Representatives are available Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.
HRS provides this information as guidance to employees. All procedures, terms and conditions of the State benefit program are as provided by CMS and the State of Illinois. While we make every effort to assure the accuracy and completeness of this information, we recommend that employees directly access the information provided by CMS and the designated care providers who establish and maintain the official policies and procedures. Where possible, we have provided links to relevant websites for your convenience in accessing additional information and clarification.
