PUBLICATIONS Inside Illinois Vol. 26, No. 19, May 3, 2007

benefits brief

‘Benefit Choice’ continues through May 31
The annual Benefit Choice Enrollment period continues through May 31. This is the only time during the year when all benefit-eligible employees may make changes to their state of Illinois benefit plans and coverage levels without a qualifying event requirement.

This also is the time when employees may enroll or re-enroll in the Flexible Spending Account (FSA) for the 2007-2008 plan year. Employees must enroll in the FSA each year during the annual Benefit Choice period to take advantage of this benefit, even if they are currently enrolled in the program.
Benefit Choice changes must be completed by May 31, and will become effective July 1.

To make enrollment changes or for more information, visit NESSIE, select the Benefits tab along the top of the page and then select Benefit Choice from the menu. Employees must use NESSIE to make any benefit-enrollment changes. Changes will be accepted online until midnight May 31. Employees with questions about their benefit options may contact the Benefits Service Center Office, benefits@uillinois.edu or 333-3111.

What can be changed
During Benefit Choice, you may make the following changes to the state benefits plans and coverage levels:

• Change Health Plans.
• Opt out of the state group health insurance plan (if you have other non-state group coverage).
• Opt out of or rejoin the dental plan.
• Add/drop dependents to/from your health and dental plan.
• Change optional state life insurance.
• Change accidental death and dismemberment coverage.
• Add/drop spouse or child life coverage.
• Enroll registered same-sex domestic partner in state group health insurance plan.
• Enroll or re-enroll in Flexible Spending Accounts (indicate or change the contribution to your Medical Care Assistance Plan or Dependent Care Assistance Plan).
  

2006 highlights

Please take note of the following items for the 2007 Benefit Choice Enrollment Period. Further information will be provided in the Benefit Choice Options Booklet that CMS will mail directly to each employee’s home.

• All current health plans, including the Quality Care Health Plan and all current managed-care health plans, will again be available.
• While there will be no changes to available health plans this year, employees will notice changes in deductibles, co-payments, out-of-pocket maximums and premiums. The monthly health plan contributions have increased for both employee and dependent coverage. Employees enrolled in the managed-care plans will notice a $4/month increase for themselves and a $4/month increase for dependent coverage. Quality Care premiums have increased $6/month for employee coverage and $10/month for dependent coverage.
• Although the monthly contribution for the Quality Care Dental Plan (QCDP) has remained the same, the coverage has been expanded to include dental implants, inlays, onlays and adult sealants.
• Contributions for the state Optional Life Plan have changed, resulting in decreased monthly payments for employees age 40-44 and 50 and above.
• A grace period has been implemented for the Flexible Spending Account – Medical Care Assistance Plan. Employees enrolled in this plan may now incur eligible medical, vision and dental expenses through Sept. 15 of each year and have them reimbursed from their previous plan year account balance.

Back to Index