May 23, 2012
To: University of Illinois Benefits-Eligible Faculty and Staff
From: University Payroll and Benefits; University Human Resources
Urgent Notice: Benefit Choice End Date & Health Carriers Announced
The State Department of Central Management Services (CMS) has officially announced that the Benefit Choice Period will end on June 15, 2012 and health carriers are now available for FY2013. Please note that the Benefit Choice Period end date also applies to the Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA) Program: the Medical Care Assistance Plan (MCAP) and the Dependent Care Assistance Plan (DCAP). Employees that wish to make a health plan change or other changes to be effective July 1, 2012 should make their elections now. If no changes are needed, no action is required.
Emergency 90-day Contracts
In an effort to ensure that health carriers are in place for the start of the next fiscal year (July 1, 2012), CMS has made a decision to enter into emergency contracts with Health Alliance HMO, Health Alliance Illinois and Coventry Health Care HMO. These contracts will be for 90 days with an option to extend for an additional period as needed. Employees may view the Managed Care Plan map which lists health plans by county to determine which health plans are available in their area. Please note that the map shows 20 counties (shaded on the map) where HMO Illinois or BlueAdvantage HMO do not have provider coverage, but have provider access in a neighboring county. The following list includes the health plans known to be available for FY2013:
- Quality Care Health Plan (administered by Cigna)
- BlueAdvantage HMO
- Coventry Health Care HMO (formerly PersonalCare HMO) *
- Coventry Health Care OAP (formerly PersonalCare OAP)
- Health Alliance HMO *
- Health Alliance Illinois *
- HealthLink OAP
- HMO Illinois
* Denotes emergency contract providers
The FY2013 Benefit Choice Options booklet has been updated by CMS and is available on NESSIE .
Special Enrollment Period
If any health carrier changes occur there will be a Special Enrollment Period held to allow employees the opportunity to modify their coverage elections, if desired. The State is in the process of accepting proposals from managed care health plans to provide coverage for FY2013 and beyond. The decisions regarding these proposals may result in changes to health carriers during FY2013.
Rates for FY2013 Benefit Choice Period
The monthly health contribution rates and salary ranges for full-time employees, as well as life, dental and dependent health rates can be found on pages 6 and 7 of the Benefit Choice Options booklet (see link listed above). The rates for all other eligible employees and dependents will be posted by CMS at as soon as they are available.
NESSIE Enrollments
PLEASE DO NOT USE THE CMS PAPER FORM. University employees should use the online NESSIE Benefit Choice Enrollment. Enrollment/Re-Enrollment in the MCAP and DCAP should also be done online via the link above. Changes must be submitted by no later than 11:59pm on June 15, 2012. No action is necessary if changes are not being made.
More Information
Employees will receive a letter from CMS listing the available health plans and the deadline by which they must submit their election if they wish to make a change. View a copy of this letter on the CMS website.
University Payroll & Benefits and University Human Resources are staying in touch with the responsible state agencies. Watch your email and NESSIE’s home page for the latest Benefit Choice news and announcements. Information is also available on the CMS website.
Questions?
Contact your campus UPB Benefits Services office by email at benefits@uillinois.edu or at the telephone numbers listed below.
- Urbana Campus: 217-333-3111
- Chicago Campus: 312-996-6471
- Springfield Campus: 217-206-7144
- Toll-Free: 866-669-4772, Select Option #1
- Dependent and OPT OUT Documentation: Fax 217-244-3135 or Email benefits@uillinois.edu
