May 09, 2016

Benefits choice open enrollment underway

The State Employee’s Group Insurance Program Benefit Choice open enrollment period continues until 4 p.m., May 31, for all eligible employees. 

Changes made during this period will become effective July 1, the start of the new fiscal year. This is your opportunity to make your benefit elections without a qualifying change in family status. Employees wishing to make insurance coverage changes, or participate in the flexible spending plan, must submit their forms to the Human Resources office no later than 4 p.m., May 31. You do not need to do anything if you do not wish to make any changes to your current plan. 

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 3 of the Benefit Choice Options Booklet. 

All benefits choice details can be found under the announcement – “Benefits Choice FY17” – on the Human Resources website. You will find direct links to the Illinois Department of Central Management website, the booklet and flier, provider information, along with forms for enrollment, Medical Care Assistance Plan or Dependent Care Assistance Plan. 

Employees electing to make changes to their insurance coverage, or participate in the flexible spending plans can submit their forms no later than 4 p.m., May 31, using the following methods:

  • Deliver in person to Miles Hall, Room 105, 1255 Douglas Drive.
  • Mail to Human Resources, Mailcode 6520
  • Fax to 618/453-6693
  • Scan and email to HRBenefits@siu.edu                        

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

CMS mailed an informational flier to your home and it contains a portion of what is in the benefit choice options book. Below are a few highlights and changes for the upcoming year. 

Summary of Changes

  • Medical Care Assistance Plan (MCAP): The MCAP maximum contribution amount will remain $2,550 for the 2017 plan year with a $500 maximum rollover.  Employees must re-enroll in MCAP for the new plan year to qualify for the rollover.  Those who do not re-enroll will forfeit any amount eligible for rollover.  See page 32 of the book for more information.
  • Federal Healthcare Reform:  As a result of the Affordable Care Act (ACA), prescription deductibles and copayments paid by members apply toward the annual out-of-pocket maximum.  Once the maximum has been met, eligible medical, behavioral health and prescription drug charges will be covered at 100 percent for the remainder of the plan year.  The out-of-pocket maximum amount for each type of health plan varies and is outlined on page 12.
  • Premium rates:  The premium rates listed in the flyer and booklet are the same as they were for fiscal year 2016.  However, CMS has included a statement in the benefit choice flier (page 5) and the benefit choice booklet (page 7) that indicates that premiums may be subject to an increase, and that increase may be applied retroactively to July 1, 2016.  At this time, Human Resources does not have any additional information other than what has been provided. However, CMS has indicated that employee and dependent premiums could potentially double.  Please keep this information in mind as you make your fiscal year 2017 elections.  Additional information will be shared as soon as it becomes available.  

Reminders:

  • Employees choosing to participate in MCAP or DCAP must re-enroll each year to participate in these plans. 
  • 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 before the May 31 deadline.
  • SEGIP Members may access their group insurance benefits information online by viewing their benefit statement.   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 the CMS web page.  Please note that statements are a snapshot of your benefits on the first day of the month and not a summary of past enrollment.
  • Employees who experience life-changing events are required to notify your group insurance representative at the Human Resource Benefits Office.  Please review your member responsibilities, which can be found on page 4 of the benefits choice book. 

Important Announcements:

  • Staff that work academic schedules such as 9-month faculty (not pro-rated), flex-year appointments, or those placed on seasonal leaves, should review changes in the summer insurance billing section on the HR website.
  • CMS has plans to introduce a custom benefit solution that will include an online enrollment system for new and existing employees this fall. This new software platform will fully integrate benefit plan administration, as well as billing and record keeping on a single system.  The system will utilize contemporary technology to provide employees with customer service and decisions support tools.  Additional information will be shared as it becomes available.