Despite continued uncertainty over next year's university health care benefits, the state has announced June 15 as the end date of the Benefits Choice period.
To ensure there are choices to be made, the state has entered into 90-day "emergency" contracts with three additional providers, supplementing a list of already approved providers.
Emergency contracts were awarded to Coventry Health Care HMO (formerly PersonalCare HMO), Health Alliance HMO and Health Alliance Illinois (an open access plan in Springfield).
"These contracts will be for 90 days with an option to extend for an additional period as needed," University Payroll and Benefits officials said in an email sent to employees May 23.
Local availability of the new plans may be determined by viewing a statewide coverage map on NESSIE. There also is one health benefits informational session remaining at 8:30 a.m. June 8 at Ikenberry Commons. No registration is required.
Officials said negotiations with carriers for FY 2013 continue at the state level. Any plan changes would lead to a special enrollment period and employees would receive ample notification to make changes.
"The decisions regarding these proposals may result in changes in health carriers during FY 2013," the email said.
The June 15 deadline also applies to Flexible Spending Accounts (Medical Care Assistance Plan and the Dependent Care Assistance Plan).
