The annual Benefit Choice period is now open, yet questions remain unanswered about what healthcare plan options will be available when the State makes its final determination on managed care plan vendors. The State is currently reviewing protests filed by Health Alliance and Humana. We anticipate a decision to be rendered by the State in the coming weeks. While this decision is not in our hands, the University is advocating on your behalf.
We are working diligently to bring our message to the State of Illinois Department of Healthcare and Family Services, our local legislators, and State officials. We are voicing your concerns about access to trusted physicians and specialists, affordability of coverage, and continuity of care.
Many of our efforts to date and links to additional information are listed below. We understand that this issue is of utmost importance to you and your families. We will continue to share information as it becomes available.
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May 1, 2011
The annual Benefit Choice period opened. The end date is unknown at this time. (Added 5/25/2011 - the deadline for Benefit Choice is June 17, 2011.) See NESSIE for more information. Once the managed care plans are identified, employees will be advised of the extended Benefit Choice end date by which they must make a decision regarding healthcare choices for FY 2012.
April 29, 2011
CMS announced via its website that a final decision regarding the managed care contracts for FY 2012 has not been made. Vendor names, coverage areas and rates are not available, and as a result, the Benefit Choice period will be extended in order to allow sufficient time to make an informed decision. James P. Davito, Executive Director, University Payroll and Benefits (UPB,) sent benefits-eligible employees an email that outlines the Benefit Choice options that may be considered beginning May 1. Read the full text of the email.
April 27, 2011
Katie Ross, Associate Director, Human Resources Administration, testified on behalf of University employees at the legislative hearing chaired by Naomi Jakobsson. A News-Gazette article that quoted remarks from Ms. Ross is online at http://www.news-gazette.com/news/health/health-care/2011-04-27/insurance-hearing-fuels-fire-over-issue.html
The Office of Governmental Relations provided Legislators with a fact sheet detailing the impact of the managed care decision, which included comments from University employees. The fact sheet is available online at https://nessie.uihr.uillinois.edu/pdf/benefits/Fact Sheet_MngCare.pdf.
April 22, 2011
UHR sent an email to benefits-eligible employees in Urbana and Springfield, notifying them that a legislative hearing about the State's decision to discontinue its contract with Health Alliance as a managed care provider would be held on April 27 at the Capitol in Springfield.
https://hr.uillinois.edu/main/ViewComm.cfm?ID=96
April 19, 2011
UHR sent an email to all benefits-eligible employees with a link to President Hogan's letter and further information about the managed care plans that are impacted, as well as information about what employees can do now and what the University is doing to prepare.
https://nessie.uihr.uillinois.edu/cf/announce/index.cfm?action=NewsDetail&ID=95
April 12, 2011
On April 12, University of Illinois President Michael Hogan sent a letter to the Illinois Department of Healthcare and Family Services, and to Governor Pat Quinn and local legislators, to communicate the impact of this decision on the members of the University family - current faculty and staff as well as dependents and retirees. http://nessie.uihr.uillinois.edu/pdf/benefits/ManagedCare041211.pdf
April 7, 2011
UHR sent an email to all benefits-eligible employees advising them of the State's announcement and providing a link to the Illinois Department of Healthcare and Family Services press release at http://www.state.il.us/cms/download/pdfs_benefits/HFS-Press-Release.pdf
April 6, 2011
Late in the day, the Illinois Department of Healthcare and Family Services announced its selection of four managed care plans to provide benefits to state employees, dependents, and retirees, including University of Illinois faculty and staff.
http://www.cms.illinois.gov/3_servicese_ben_choice/Managed-care-FY2012.htm
