FY2014 Benefit Choice Period
Click above for Benefit Choice information and options
During the annual Benefit Choice Election Period, members are allowed to make changes to their group insurance coverage, such as select a new health plan or add dependent coverage. Benefit Choice Enrollment forms must be submitted to your group insurance representative (GIR) by close of business on May 31, 2013. Changes will be effective July 1, 2013.
May 21, 2013 Benefit Choice Period Update: As the AFSCME contract has now been re-ratified, the changes contained within the union contract regarding healthcare benefits for the contract period that extends through June 30, 2015, are accurate and will be implemented effective July 1, 2013.
Due to the re-ratification process, AFSCME-represented employees’ who work for agencies under the Governor were granted an extension to submit their Benefit Choice Election form to their agency group insurance representative (GIR). The date by which AFSCME-represented employees’ who work for agencies under the Governor must submit their Benefit Choice Election form is close of business on Friday, June 7, 2013. All other State members (i.e., members who are not AFSCME members under the Governor) must submit their Benefit Choice Election form to their GIR by close of business on Friday, May 31, 2013.
At-a-Glance Charts
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.
Members of the State of Illinois Group Insurance Program may now view their group insurance benefits information online. Online statements are updated the first Saturday of each month. The benefit information reflected is as of the first of the month.
LATEST NEWS
- A letter dated May 1, 2013, was mailed to all retirees, annuitants and survivors regarding Public Act 97-0695 signed by the Governor on June 21, 2012, which authorized the Director of Central Management Services to establish the amount that retirees, annuitants and survivors will pay for their health insurance. 05/03/13
- AFSCME members are currently in the process of re-voting over the terms of the new contract. The signing of the new contract is dependent upon the outcome of that vote. Due to time constraints concerning the targeted implementation of the changes in benefits, the State has begun the process of informing employees about the changes contained in the new contract. At this stage, however, this is purely an educational process. 05/01/13
- FY 2014 Benefit Fairs have been scheduled at various locations throughout the State. All members of the Group Insurance Program, including active state and university employees, retirees and survivors can attend. The State-sponsored vendors for Health, Dental, Vision and Life plans will be available to answer questions. 04/02/13
- Effective May 1, 2012, members of the State of Illinois Group Insurance Program can view their group insurance benefits statement online. 05/01/12
- Effective April 2nd, Express Scripts acquired Medco Health Solutions. Members will continue to receive medications without changes to the plan or network. 04/04/12
- The benefits handbook has been updated and is located on the Benefit Program Books page. There is a handbook for employees and a separate handbook for retirees, annuitants and survivors. 11/16/11
- Notice Regarding QCHP and QCDP Claim Payment Delay. Updated Daily.
Archived Notices |
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. On the Contact Information page, members may view the phone number for the Group Insurance Division, a listing of agency/university group insurance representatives as well as links for all of the state insurance plan administrator websites.
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.
Employees who either go on or return from a leave of absence have certain rights and responsibilities regarding their insurance coverage. Employees should read the documents regarding leaves of absence in order to be aware of those rights and responsibilities and to prevent unwanted termination of coverage.
Information regarding Medicare and how it affects your group insurance coverage.
Notices
The State is required to provide certain federal notices regarding their privacy and insurance coverage.
The State allows for members who meet certain criteria to opt out or waive coverage.
The State offers three programs which save employees valuable tax dollars.
In addition to the insurance coverage and pretax programs the State offers, employees are offered additional benefits when adopting a child, when needing support and information during difficult times and when participating in an approved smoking cessation program.
Plan Administrators
Members may view contact information, including phone numbers and addresses, for all plan administrators via these links.
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.