May 07, 2015

Benefit Choice open enrollment underway

The State Employees’ Group Insurance Program Benefit Choice open enrollment period continues through June 1 for all benefit-eligible employees. 

Changes made during this period will become effective July 1.  This is your opportunity to make changes to your benefit elections without a qualifying change in family status.  Employees wishing to make changes must have their completed election forms submitted to the Human Resources office no later than Monday, June 1. You do not need to do anything if you do not wish to make any changes to your current plan.  Your benefit elections will remain the same. 

For detailed information regarding this year’s changes, forms and other Benefits Choice information, please visit the Human Resources website and click on the link under “Announcements.”  In addition, the Illinois Department of Central Management Services (CMS) mailed an eight-page informational flier detailing the changes to your home address.  

During the annual benefit choice period, members may change health plans, add or drop dental coverage or dependent coverage, make changes in life insurance coverage, and other changes as noted on page three of the benefit choice options booklet. The booklet is available here in PDF form, with the changes for fiscal year 2016 highlighted on page 5. 

Employees choosing to participate in the Medical Care Assistance Plan (MCAP) or Dependent Care Assistance Plan (DCAP) must also have completed forms submitted by June 1.  Please remember that you must re-enroll each year to participate in these plans.  The MCAP maximum contribution amount will increase to $2,550, with a $500 maximum rollover for the FY2016 plan year.  The MCAP and DCAP forms are on the Human Resources website or the CMS benefit choice website. 

Eligible employees may also enroll in the Prudential Long Term Disability and Voya Supplemental Life Insurance Plans.  Enrollment will be subject to medical underwriting prior to coverage beginning for these optional benefits.  A statement of health must be completed and submitted to the Human Resources Benefits Office anytime through June 1.

Understand YOUR Benefits 

As the annual benefit choice period begins, employees are strongly encouraged to review their benefits and be aware of what is available.   Members of the State of Illinois Group Insurance Program may view their group insurance benefits information online here.  You will need to create a Public ID if you have not done so before, and an email address is required.  More information is available on CMS website. 

Please note that the statements are a snapshot of your benefits on the first day of the month and not a summary of past enrollment. 

Please call Human Resources Benefits Office at 618/453-6668 with any questions about benefit choice options, or visit the office at 1255 Douglas Drive, Miles Hall. Additional information and links are also available on the Human Resources websiteEmployees are encouraged to review the benefit options booklet available on the CMS benefits choice website.