The State of Illinois Department of Central Management Services (CMS) announced late Thursday that the Benefit Choice deadline will be extended to Monday, June 20, giving faculty and staff additional time to make health plan elections. With the deadline extension, your changes must be made in NESSIE before midnight on Monday, June 20. See NESSIE: http://nessie.uihr.uillinois.edu/
You are encouraged to use the online NESSIE Benefit Choice application; however, employees who submit a paper enrollment form must hand deliver the completed form to the UPB Benefits Services office or fax it to 217-244-3135 by 5:00 PM on Monday, June 20.
Paper form: https://nessie.uihr.uillinois.edu/pdf/benefits/BenefitChoiceFY12EnrollmentForm.pdf
See the email you received Thursday morning or NESSIE's home page announcements for instructions on how to change or reset your Benefit Choice elections.
Please review the following important reminders:
What changes can I make during Benefit Choice?
Employees may change State health and life insurance plan enrollments, opt into or opt out of the health insurance plan (with proof of other non-state group coverage), opt into or opt out of the dental plan, and enroll or re-enroll in Flexible Spending Accounts (MCAP or DCAP). You may also add (documentation is required) or drop dependents. Changes will become effective on July 1, 2011.
If you wish to participate in the Medical Care Assistance Plan (MCAP) or the Dependent Care Assistance Plan (DCAP) you must enroll or re-enroll in NESSIE by the end of the Benefit Choice period on June 20. Re-enrollment is required annually to participate.
What can I do during the Special Enrollment Period?
CMS will hold a special enrollment period at some point after Benefit Choice concludes, which will allow employees a second chance to make their healthcare plan choice. However, per IRS rules, MCAP/DCAP changes will not be permitted during the special enrollment period.
Available Health Insurance Vendors:
The following vendors have signed a 90-day contract, which will be effective July 1: Health Alliance HMO, Health Alliance Illinois, HealthLink OAP, PersonalCare HMO, and PersonalCare OAP. These options are in addition to HMO Illinois, BlueAdvantage HMO and the Quality Care Health Plan (administered by CIGNA), which are also available.
Humana Health Plans:
At this time, the Humana Health Plans are not included in the 90-day program. If you are currently enrolled in either the Humana Health Plan or the Humana-Winnebago plan, then you must select one of the other available health plan vendor options. Current Humana Health Plan or Humana-Winnebago members who do not select a new health plan by the deadline will be defaulted into the Quality Care Health Plan (QCHP).
Note about Insurance ID Cards:
Health insurance ID cards will be mailed to employees from the health insurance vendor, they are not available from the UPB Benefits Services office.
More Information:
Watch your email and NESSIE's home page at http://nessie.uihr.uillinois.edu/ for the latest Benefit Choice news and announcements. CMS will also be updating their Benefit Choice website at http://www.state.il.us/cms/3_servicese_ben_choice/state-ben.htm.
If you have any questions about your benefit plans or do not have access to a computer, please contact your campus UPB Benefits Services office or send email to benefits@uillinois.edu.
UPB Benefits Services - Urbana: (217) 333-3111
UPB Benefits Services - Chicago: (312) 996-6471
UPB Benefits Services - Springfield: (217) 206-7144
UPB Benefits Services (Toll-Free): 866-669-4772, Select Option #1
Dependent and OPT OUT Documentation fax: (217) 244-3135
