An updated State of Illinois Employees Benefits Handbook has been published by the State's department of Central Management Services (CMS).
CMS publishes an updated Benefits Handbook every five years, which details the State of Illinois health, dental, life insurance, and other programs. This Handbook is supplemented each year with an appendix published during the annual Benefits Choice period, which describes any changes and annual rates for that plan year.
You are encouraged to review and familiarize yourself with the new Benefits Handbook. While the Handbook contains many important topics, CMS would like to highlight the following reminders:
Employee Responsibilities
It is each employee's responsibility to know his or her benefits, including coverage limitations and exclusions, and to review the information in the Benefits Handbook. See pages 3 and 4 for a list of important responsibilities and notifications.
Enrollment Deadlines
Employees may enroll, opt out or change benefit selections with supporting documentation only during specific time periods. Review pages 8-10 for deadlines and effective dates for changes associate with the annual benefit choice period, qualifying events, dependent enrollment, and other allowable change periods. See the 'Documentation Requirements' chart beginning on page 13 for specific documents required when making a change. A valid social security number (SSN) is required to add dependent coverage. If the SSN has not yet been issued for a newborn or adopted child, the child will be added to the employee's coverage upon receipt of the birth certificate or adoption order without the SSN. However, the employee must provide the SSN within 90 days of the date the coverage was requested in order to continue the dependent's coverage.
Time Away From Work - Continuation of Insurance Coverage
Employees who are away from work for reasons including but not limited to, approved medical or personal leave, or for the annual summer break, may continue their insurance coverage for a specified period of time. In some cases, CMS may bill individuals directly for insurance coverage when they are off payroll, but on an approved leave of absence. More details about specific types of leave begin on page 20.
***********
Certain employees may also be interested in the following new booklets:
Quality Care Health Plan (QCHP)
For members of the Quality Care Health Plan (QCHP), there is a new appendix to the state handbook, QCHP Medical Benefits Summary for Employees.
Retiree Handbooks
Please note that separate handbooks are available for retirees:
1) State of Illinois Retiree, Annuitant, and Survivor Benefits Handbook
2) Quality Care Health Plan Medical Benefits Summary for Retirees
***********
Questions? If you have any questions, please contact your campus UPB Benefits Services office: Urbana 217-333-3111, Chicago 312-996-6471, Springfield 217- 206-7144, or benefits@uillinois.edu.
