FY2009 Benefit Choice Information

 

FY2009 Benefit Choice Information

As a result of on-going negotiations for our benefits offered through the State of Illinois, the State Employees' Group Insurance Program's annual "Benefit Choice Period" will be held in two parts for FY2009. Benefit Choice Period I will be held May 1, 2008 through May 31, 2008. Information regarding the Benefit Choice Period I is outlined below.

The dates of Benefit Choice Period II will be announced once negotiations are finalized and information becomes available. Please refer to the back of this sheet for Benefit Choice Period II information.

Benefit Choice Period I - May 1, 2008 through May 31, 2008

During this Benefit Choice period, you will be asked to make your FY2009 elections based on the best information available, subject to change pending the outcome of negotiations.

• All changes made during Benefit Choice Period I will become effective July 1, 2008.
• All health and dental rates will remain the same for FY2009 until an agreement is finalized.
• A shortened version of the Benefit Choice booklets has been mailed to each employee at their home address. (Mailing of these booklets began April 24, 2008.) This booklet does not contain much new information, as changes will be delayed until Benefit Choice Period II.
• The Benefit Choice booklet is also available on the Central Management Services website at www.benefitschoice.il.gov beginning May 1, 2008.

During the first Benefit Choice Period, you may:

• Change health plans
• Add or remove dependents
• Increase or decrease term life insurance (increase requires statement of health form)
• Enroll or Re-enroll in the Flexible Spending Programs (MCAP or DCAP)*
• Opt-in or Opt-out of the health, dental and vision programs

*Employees may enroll in MCAP during either Benefit Choice Period. The MCAP election may be increased or decreased during Benefit Choice Period II; however, once enrolled, you must remain enrolled for the entire plan year. Enrollment in DCAP will only be allowed during Benefit Choice Period I. No changes to DCAP will be allowed during Benefit Choice Period II.

What's New . . . . .

Life Insurance Premiums for FY2009

• Spouse life coverage monthly premiums have been reduced to $6.94 (from $7.14)
• Child life coverage monthly premiums have been reduced to $.52 (from $.56)

These amounts will remain constant for FY2009 and will not change even during Benefit Choice Period II.

College Illinois!

The Illinois Student Assistance Commission (ISAC) is excited that one of their programs, College Illinois!, is now part of the State's benefit offerings for all state employees. The Prepaid Tuition plan is a fantastic program! It is the best way to lock in college tuition and fees prices today, for use in the future, when your child, grandchild, niece or nephew is ready to go to college. With State tax deductions, federal tax exemptions on earnings and gift tax advantages, College Illinois! is a great benefit for the citizens of Illinois.

The contract enrollment period for College Illinois! has been extended to May 31, 2008 for state employees in order to coincide with the annual Benefit Choice Period. More information will be available at the Benefit Choice Period informational session on May 6. (See below for location and time information.)

Open Enrollments. . . .

ING - ReliaStar Supplemental Life Insurance

During the month of May 2008, you will have the opportunity to apply for Portable Term Life Insurance with no medical exam. Take advantage of this special program offered to employees of Southern Illinois University.

Employees under the age of 70 can obtain coverage amounts of

• $35,000 for employees
• $5,000 for spouses
• $10,000 for child coverage

Amounts greater than the Guaranteed Issues amounts listed above will require a Statement of Good Health and is subject to approval by ING.

Prudential Long Term Disability Insurance

Now is your chance to enroll in the Voluntary Supplemental Long Term Disability Plan with NO HEALTH QUESTIONS ASKED and Guaranteed Acceptance as long as you have not been declined coverage in the past!!!

Highlights of the plan include:

• Guaranteed Acceptance during this Open Enrollment if you have not been declined coverage in the past
• Long Term Disability Coverage up to 66.67% of your income up to a $12,000 monthly maximum
• Benefits begin after the greater of 90 days or the exhaustion of your accumulated sick leave
• Benefits paid to age 65 or Social Security normal retirement age
• Convenient payroll deduction of your premium
• Economical group rates

Benefit Choice Period II - Dates to Be Determined

Once negotiations are finalized, the dates for Benefit Choice Period II will be communicated to all SIUC employees.

During Benefit Choice Period II:

• You may make the same elections as in Benefit Choice Period I (with a few exceptions)
• A new Benefit Choice Booklet will be mailed to each employee at their home address with any benefit level and/or premium changes
• For the latest information, continue to visit the Benefit Choice website at www.benefitschoice.il.gov
• Employee Benefits will host additional informational sessions for Benefit Choice Period II to review the benefit and premium changes

 

In order to help expedite benefit changes, CMS is including a Benefit Choice Election Form in the material that will be mailed to your home. If you want to make changes, but do not need to see a Benefits Counselor, you may complete the form and return it to Employee Benefits, Human Resources, Mailcode 6520 by May 31, 2008. You may also stop by our office at 805 S. Elizabeth St. and make your changes.

Making Changes?

No Changes? Simply do nothing! You do not need to complete the enrollment form.

Questions? Call the Human Resources' Employee Benefits Office at 453-6668.

What you Should Know about Time Away From Work

or Returning to Work

(Including Flex Year Appointments, Academic Summer Breaks and Seasonal Layoffs)

Going on a Leave of Absence (or being placed in a non-pay status), or physically returning from work from a leave of absence, is a qualifying change which allows you to make changes to your current coverage. Requests must be made to your agency Group Insurance Representative (GIR) in writing within 60 days of the start of your time away from work. All changes are effective the later of the effective date of the leave of absence/non-pay status, or the date of your request.

You are required to:

• Pay the premiums for your elected coverage (premium amount is determined on the first day of each pay period) when you are on a leave
• Notify your GIR at Human Resources (Employee Benefits) immediately when you (1) Change your address; (2) become eligible or enroll in Medicare due to age, disability or ESRD; or (3) physically return to work.

You have the following options:

During a Leave of Absence or when in Non-Pay Status	When Returning to Work
Opt-Out of Health, Dental, Vision coverage (full-time employees) upon providing proof of other comprehensive medical coverage	Opt back in to the Program (full-time employees) or Re-enroll in the Program (part-time employees)
Waive Health, Dental, Vision and Optional Life coverage (part-time employees)	Waive Health, Dental and Vision (part-time employees)
Waive Health, Dental, Vision and Basic and/or Optional Life coverage (full-time employees who are required to pay 100% of the State and member portion of the premium such as personal leave, and dock/suspension over 30 days*	Opt-Out of Health, Dental and Vision (full-time employees) upon providing proof of other comprehensive medical coverage
Drop Dependent coverage	Add or reinstate dependent coverage
Reduce or drop Optional Life coverage (Statement of Health approval required for reinstatement)	Add or increase member Optional Lfe or add Spouse Life and/or Child Life (Statement of Health is required and must be approved by the Life Plan Administrator)

*If you have a State-Employed spouse, you may become a dependent under their plan until you physically return to work. If you are a dependent under your State-Employed spouse, your coverage must be reinstated with the same Health and Dental as provided prior to your time away from work. Your member Optional Life coverage may be reinstated without Statement to of Health approval if you were continuously covered under Spouse Life. All other dependent coverage will remain under your spouse unless request otherwise within 60 days of your return to work.

Billing Procedure

Statements will be mailed to you on a monthly basis by the CMS Premium Collection Unit. Payment must be received by the due date indicated on the billing statement. Failure to submit payment by the final notice billing date may result in a current termination of coverage and/or filing of an involuntary withholding order to collect the unpaid premium.

Termination for Non-Payment of Premium:

If you fail to make payment to the Premium Collection Unit while on a Leave of Absence or in a Non-pay Status, your insurance may be terminated and/or involuntary withholding order may be filed. Premiums cannot be payroll deducted upon your return to work.

NOTE: This document is provided as an OVERVIEW only. To obtain further information or to obtain required forms, contact your Group Insurance Representative (GIR) at Employee Benefits, 453-6668.