The Benefit Choice Period will begin May 1, 2012, for all members. Even though the Benefit Choice Period will begin May 1st, an end date has not been set since the health carrier options for plan year 2013 have not yet been finalized. Once the health carrier contracts are finalized, the Benefit Choice Period end date will be announced. Members will be given sufficient time to make an informed decision regarding their health plan election.
During the annual Benefit Choice Period, members are allowed to make changes to their group insurance coverage, such as add or drop dependent coverage. This year, members should delay making health plan changes until the health carrier contracts have been finalized. Once the Benefit Choice Period end date has been announced, the Benefit Choice Election form will need to be submitted to the agency, university or retirement system by the announced due date. Any elected changes in coverage will be effective July 1, 2012.
Members of the State of Illinois Group Insurance Program may now view their group insurance benefits information online. Benefit information currently provided is as of March 1, 2012. The online statements will be updated Friday, May 4th, with information as of May 1, 2012, and will be updated monthly going forward.
There are several website links below that contain information for plan participants enrolled in the State Employees Group Insurance Program. For example, members can view information regarding the health, pharmacy, dental, vision and life insurance benefits by clicking on the Benefit Plans link. Members can view the Benefits Handbook, as well as the Benefit Choice Booklet for the current plan year by clicking on the appropriate link under Benefit Program Books. A list of current plan administrators for each benefit plan, as well as the contact information for the Group Insurance Division, is located under the Contact Information link. All benefit forms are listed under the Forms link and are grouped by benefit type. All optional benefit programs are listed under either the Optional Pre-Tax Programs link or the Other Programs link. Rates for the current plan year are available under the Rates and Calculators link. Please scroll down to view a list of all available website links.
The State offers several health plan options that include prescription benefits. Other benefits included in the benefit plans are vision, dental, life insurance coverage and behavioral health coverage. Outside the Benefit Choice enrollment period, members may change coverage elections only when a qualifying change in status occurs.
All available benefit plans and programs are explained in detail in the Member Handbook and Benefit Choice Options Booklet. Also included are amendments that update the handbook and a summary document indicating the benefit levels of the Quality Care Health Plan (QCHP).
Information regarding continuation of coverage.
Whenever questions arise, plan participants have various resources they can use.
Coverage elected during the annual Benefit Choice Period remains in effect throughout the entire plan year, unless the Member experiences a Qualifying Change in Status or a special enrollment event which would allow them to change their coverage elections.
Coverage is available for eligible dependents, including spouses, children and unrelated same-sex domestic partners.
Members not currently enrolled in the health, dental, vision and prescription coverage offered by the State due to waiving or opting out may enroll in the Program during the annual Benefit Choice Period or upon experiencing a qualifying change in status.
Members can view all group insurance forms.
Leave of Absence
Information regarding Medicare and how it affects your group insurance coverage.
Notices
The State allows for members who meet certain criteria to opt out or waive coverage.
Other Programs
Members can view health, dental and life coverage rates, as well as Quality Care Health Plan deductibles and family caps. Members interested in adding a non-IRS domestic partner, civil union partner, child of a civil union partner or an adult veteran child can view the premiums and imputed income associated with those types of dependent coverage. Full-time employees can calculate the applicable contributions for coverage.
State retirees have certain benefits available that are not available to all other members. Links are provided to the retirement systems’ websites.