Changes to health care and other benefits – including medical care and dependent care assistance (flexible spending) plans – can be made during the Benefit Choice enrollment period, which runs May 1 through June 1. Changes must be made through NESSIE, the U. of I.’s human resources employee website. All changes will be effective July 1. The Benefit Choice Options booklet and online enrollment forms will be available May 1 on NESSIE.
What changes can be made?
During the FY2016 Benefit Choice period, employees can access NESSIE to make the following changes:
Enroll or re-enroll in the Medical Care Assistance Plan and Dependent Care Assistance Plan. MCAP and DCAP are the only plans requiring re-enrollment every year.
Change health, dental, life and dependent coverage. If you do not want to change insurance coverage, you do not need to do anything. Note that documentation is required to add dependents or opt out of health insurance.
FY2016 premiums
Insurance premiums will not change for full-time employees. The employer portions of the insurance premiums are expected to increase; therefore, part-time employees’ health and dental costs are likely to increase. Part-time rates will be available as soon as the employer portions have been finalized.
Insurance plan changes
There are no provider changes for health, dental and vision plans, although the prescription plan administrator may change for Quality Care Health Plan, Coventry Open Access Plan and HealthLink Open Access Plan. Employees will be notified if a change occurs. Review the Benefit Choice Options booklet on NESSIE, which will be available May 1.
MCAP changes
There are several changes to the Medical Care Assistance Plan program.
- The annual plan limit will increase to $2,550.
- All services must be received by June 30, 2016.
- Employees will continue to have until September 30, 2015, to submit claims for FY2015.
- MCAP balances up to $500 remaining after September 30, 2015, will automatically carry over to the FY2016 MCAP account. A new enrollment is not required to use the carryover funds.
- This carryover could result in an MCAP account of $3,050 for the FY 2016 plan year.
- The carryover provision does not apply to DCAP accounts.
- Employees should monitor their official university email address for University, Payroll and Benefits notifications and requests for additional information.
Dependent audit
Central Management Services has tentatively scheduled the Dependent Eligibility Verification Audit for fall 2015. An employee found to be covering an ineligible dependent may be subject to a financial penalty, including but not limited to repayment of all premiums the state of Illinois made on behalf of the employee as well as expenses incurred by the program.
Employees may remove dependents without providing documentation during the Benefit Choice election period.
CMS has contracted with HMS Employer Solutions to perform the audit. CMS, HMS and the university will send communications with detailed audit information later this year.
Information sessions
University Payroll and Benefits has scheduled three information sessions to provide employees with Benefit Choice information and answer benefit questions. Registration is not required.
- 2 p.m. May 6, Ikenberry Commons Student Dining and Residential Programs building, Multipurpose Room 2025 A, B and C
- 10 a.m. May 12, Beckman Institute for Advanced Science and Technology auditorium, Room 1025
- 2 p.m. May 22, Bevier Hall, Room 180
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