State Employees Group Insurance Program 

LATEST NEWS - Archived

• A Special Enrollment Period is being held from now until January 31, 2013, for all members currently covered under Health Alliance Illinois.  Those members will need to change their carrier by January 31, 2013.  12/15/12
• On Thursday, November 15, the award resulting from the supplemental fully-insured HMO RFP was posted.  11/26/12
• REMINDER: Medicare-eligible individuals enrolled in the State Employees Group Insurance Program have prescription drug coverage that is on average as good as, or better than, the standard Medicare prescription drug coverage (Medicare Part D) and should not enroll in a Medicare Part D plan during this Medicare Part D open enrollment season, unless you qualify for low-income/extra-help assistance.  10/17/12
• On August 24, 2012, Governor Quinn signed into law SB 3240 that allows State of Illinois members and their covered dependents to assign their health and dental benefits to out-of-network providers.  09/28/12
• The current emergency contracts with Health Alliance HMO, Health Alliance Illinois and Coventry HMO have been extended until the supplemental managed care procurement is completed, not to exceed June 30, 2013.  Check back for more information once the procurement is finalized.  09/05/12 
• SB 1313 modifies the premium payments for retiree healthcare, allowing the Director of CMS to set the premiums that are paid.  This letter referenced during the debates in the House and the Senate is for your information.  At this time, CMS Benefits has no further information regarding the payment of premiums by retirees.  As information becomes available, it will be posted on this website and shared with your Group Insurance Representative.  05/14/12
• The FY2013 Benefit Choice Period will be May 1 through June 15, 2012, for all members.  05/21/12
• Four of the State's managed care plans that will be in place for FY2013 may now be elected during the Benefit Choice Period.  05/08/12
• The FY2013 Benefit Choice Period begins May 1, 2012, for all members. 05/01/12
• The Group Insurance Division will be moving from its current location at 201 E. Madison St. to 801 S. 7th St. in Springfield beginning Wednesday, February 1st.  Phones will be unavailable on February 2nd and 3rd.  Members needing assistance should contact their Group Insurance Representative during this time.  01/23/12
• Coventry Health Care HMO members (previously PersonalCare HMO) who utilize a primary care physician (PCP) at Christie Clinic recently received a letter from Coventry Health Care indicating that Christie Clinic will not be a part of the Coventry HMO network after December 31, 2011.  If you received this letter, you have been identified as someone who will no longer be able to utilize their PCP after January 1, 2012, and therefore, have a qualifying event which allows you to change to a new health plan. 12/09/11
• Commuter Savings Program maximum pre-tax limits changing for January, 2012. 11/15/11
• Effective June 1, 2011, in accordance with Public Act 96-1513, members will be permitted to add a civil union partner and/or their children to their coverage. 05/20/11
• Special Enrollment Period will be held from October 10, 2011 through October 28, 2011.
• Important Message - Special Enrollment Period Finalized. The Chief Procurement Officer held a hearing today and approved the extension of contracts for all current 90-day emergency managed care vendors through the remainder of the fiscal year, June 30, 2012, for the health plans administered by the Department of Healthcare and Family Services (DHFS) and the Department of Central Management Services (CMS). 08/31/11
• The timeframes for the Special Enrollment Period(s) have been set. 08/30/11
  
  
• The Commission on Government Forecasting and Accountability (COGFA) held a hearing on August 16, 2011, to consider a request by the State to continue to offer self-insured managed care plans. At the end of that hearing, COGFA voted to authorize the State to continue to offer the self-insured managed care plans through June 30, 2012. 08/17/11
  
  
• The following vendors have signed a 90-day contract, which will be effective July 1st: Health Alliance HMO, Health Alliance Illinois, HealthLink OAP, PersonalCare HMO, and PersonalCare OAP. These options are in addition to HMO Illinois, BlueAdvantage HMO and the Quality Care Health Plan (administered by CIGNA), which are also available. 6/27/11
  
  
• Special Enrollment Period Update. In order to address any member concerns, CMS has committed to a Special Enrollment Period prior to the end of the calendar year. 06/07/11
  
  
• On Friday, June 10, 2011, a trial judge for the Sangamon County Circuit Court entered an order prohibiting any further State action in the awarding or signing of self-insurance contracts by the State of Illinois. - 06/12/11
  
  
• HealthLink OAP Network Update. St. Margaret’s PHO in Spring Valley has signed a Tier I agreement with HealthLink OAP. 06/09/11
  
  
• HealthLink OAP Network Update. Springfield Clinic in Springfield has signed a Tier I agreement with HealthLink OAP. 06/02/11
• The Executive Ethics Commission ruling has been released. The managed care plans that will be in effect for the FY 2012 Benefit Choice Period will be HMO Illinois, HealthLink OAP, PersonalCare OAP and Blue Advantage. 05/25/11
  
  
• At this time, a final decision regarding the managed care contracts for FY 2012 has not been made. As a result, vendor names, coverage areas and rates are not available. 04/29/11
  
  
• The State of Illinois has selected four managed care plans to provide benefits to state employees, dependents and retirees starting July 1. These plans will continue to offer you the same benefits and level of care. 04/06/11
  
  
• Long-Term Care Coverage Notification. MetLife has informed CMS that they have decided to discontinue the sale of Long-Term Care (LTC) insurance products (includes Employer Group and Individual - including Multi-Life). 04/06/11
  
  
• Important changes to the Quality Care Health Plan effective March 1, 2011.
  
  
• Cummins v. State of Illinois (02-cv-4201) class action lawsuit notification.
  
  
• Early Retirement Reinsurance Mailing. Effective November 29, 2010, members and dependents were mailed a letter mandated by the federal government regarding reimbursement to plan sponsors for healthcare benefits paid to early retirees.
  
  
• Important FSA Announcement. Effective January 1, 2011, under the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, over-the-counter items that are classified as a ‘medicine’ or a ‘drug’ will no longer be eligible for reimbursement through the Medicare Care Assistance Program (MCAP) without a prescription.
  
  
• Significant Changes to the Retail Maintenance Pharmacy Network effective September 20, 2010. The Retail Maintenance Pharmacy Network for the Quality Care Health Plan, Health Alliance Illinois, Humana-Winnebago and HealthLink OAP will be changing effective 09/20/10.