blog posts

• Health Plan Reminder: Out-of-Network Providers

  Mar 28, 2025 9:00 am35 views

  You are encouraged to use in-network providers to receive the best value from your health plan. No matter which plan you are enrolled in, receiving health care from an out-of-network provider will significantly increase your out-of-pocket medical costs.
  
  Please note: Health Alliance HMO will no longer be available on July 1, 2025.

• Part-time State Insurance Rates Now Available for FY 2019

  Jun 5, 2018 3:30 pm104 views

  View State insurance rates and sample calculations for determining your cost for coverage as a part-time employee.

• Urbana: Update on OSF HealthCare and Insurance - UPDATED

  Feb 19, 2018 11:00 am1093 views

  Take note of local hospital change in ownership and potential impact on your State of Illinois Group Health Insurance.

• 403(b) Plan and Deferred Comp Contribution Limits

  Dec 20, 2017 1:30 pm1699 views

  The IRS increased retirement plan contribution limits effective January 1, 2018.

• Benefit Choice: Submit Your Documentation

  Jun 6, 2017 1:30 pm684 views

  If you added a dependent(s), or opted out of State health/dental/vision insurance coverage or made a State life insurance change during Benefit Choice, documentation is required.

• Urgent Update! Benefit Choice Extended to 6/1/2017

  May 31, 2017 2:30 pm264 views

  Benefit Choice will be available for one additional day (June 1, 2017)!

• University Payroll and Benefits Chicago Phone Number Update

  Jan 12, 2017 8:30 am2331 views

  Having trouble calling the UPB Chicago office?

• Update: CMS Claim Payment Delay

  Oct 19, 2016 11:30 am3664 views

  Additional information available on claim release dates for the QCHP, OAPs, and Dental plan.

• State Dental Insurance Claim Update

  Oct 4, 2016 2:00 pm11152 views

  State says nine weeks of claims will be released for both in-network and out-of-network dentists.

• SURS Retirement Seminars October 24 - 27

  Oct 3, 2016 11:30 am1338 views

  Learn about your benefits and preparing for retirement in the SURS plans.

• Reminder: New State Benefits System "MyBenefits Marketplace"

  Sep 28, 2016 11:30 am2438 views

  "MyBenefits Marketplace" will go live September 30. Watch for the CMS letter to arrive soon via postal mail with your new CMS-issued Employee ID Number.

• Coming Soon! New State Benefits System "MyBenefits Marketplace"

  Sep 16, 2016 4:30 pm1926 views

  "MyBenefits Marketplace" launches September 30 - watch your home mail for more information.

• Attend a healthcare info session: Possible state benefit changes

  Jun 14, 2016 1:30 pm6530 views

  On-campus meetings will be held to discuss possible adjustments being proposed by the state to the employee health care benefits.

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  Last Notice: Benefit Choice Ends Tuesday May 31

  May 25, 2016 3:45 pm2277 views

  Last chance to make changes to your benefits or enroll in an FSA for the upcoming fiscal year! Benefit Choice open enrollment ends Tuesday, May 31, 2016!

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  Ending May 31: Benefit Choice Enrollment Period

  May 19, 2016 10:30 am1462 views

  Don’t forget! Benefit Choice open enrollment ends Tuesday, May 31, 2016.

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  Deadline Approaching: Benefit Choice Ends May 31

  May 12, 2016 1:30 pm1588 views

  Benefit Choice open enrollment ends May 31. If you have not already done so, make your changes in NESSIE.

• CMS Benefit Choice Flyer: Notice about Plan Rates

  May 4, 2016 10:30 am3415 views

  Please review the CMS Benefit Choice flyer mailed to your home, including the Special Notice Regarding 2017 Plan Year Rates.

• Update: State Budget and Employee Group Insurance

  Apr 27, 2016 2:45 pm3437 views

  The University continues to monitor the impact of the State budget impasse on employee health insurance.

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  FY 2017 Benefit Choice (NESSIE) Enrollment Period

  Apr 25, 2016 3:15 pm4843 views

  Have you reviewed your options for the FY 2017 Benefit Choice enrollment period?

• Save on Taxes with Your University Benefits!

  Apr 21, 2016 2:30 pm1452 views

  The average FSA participant saves hundreds of dollars annually. Learn how you can too!

• Important Plan Info: Out-of-Network Providers

  Mar 15, 2016 1:00 pm1491 views

  Receiving care from out-of-network providers will significantly increase what you pay out-of-pocket.

• Retirement Planning Seminars April 4th - 8th

  Mar 11, 2016 1:00 pm1346 views

  Free retirement and investment planning seminars will be held in April by Fidelity Investments, TIAA, and SURS. All University of Illinois employees are invited to attend – registration is required.

• Are You Retiring or Separating from the University?

  Feb 29, 2016 2:00 pm1469 views

  You may be eligible to defer unused vacation and compensable sick leave into the University 403(b) or State 457 retirement plans.

• New Tax Info: IRS Form 1095-C for Health Insurance

  Feb 26, 2016 11:45 am13567 views

  Employees who received an offer of health insurance coverage will receive the new IRS Form 1095-C beginning this year.

• Opt-Out Period for Default Enrollment in RSL BasicCare Health Insurance

  Dec 21, 2015 4:15 pm924 views

  If you were offered limited health insurance coverage under the new RSL BasicCare Plan, and did not return an enrollment/waiver form, there will be an opt-out period from January 1 through January 15, 2016.

• 2016 Retirement Savings Plan Updates

  Dec 17, 2015 9:30 am1689 views

  In 2016, contribution limits remain the same, and the State Deferred Compensation 457 Plan will begin offering a Roth option.

• Annual Update to Long Term Disability (LTD) Premiums

  Dec 1, 2015 8:45 am616 views

  If you are a participant in the University Long Term Disability Plan with Prudential, you may notice a change in your payroll deductions due to an annual premium update.

• Deferred Comp: Roth Option Coming Soon!

  Nov 16, 2015 4:00 pm642 views

  Beginning January 1, 2016, after-tax (Roth) contributions will be available in the State Deferred Compensation plan.

• Grace Period: Health Care Dependent Audit

  Nov 10, 2015 1:30 pm329 views

  If you are covering dependents under a State health plan, and have not completed the eligibility verification audit, please read this important information.

• Deadline Tomorrow! State Health Insurance Audit

  Oct 29, 2015 10:00 am308 views

  If you have dependents covered under a State health plan, only one day remains to complete the State audit.

• Deadline Friday! State Health Insurance Audit

  Oct 26, 2015 9:00 am253 views

  Documentation for the State of Illinois Dependent Health Insurance Eligibility Audit is due Friday, October 30, 2015.

• Important! Respond to State Health Insurance Audit

  Oct 16, 2015 11:30 am342 views

  If you have dependents covered under a State health plan and have not yet responded to the audit, action is required before October 30.

• Delta Dental App Update – New Cost Estimator

  Oct 13, 2015 9:15 am521 views

  The latest version of the Delta Dental mobile app includes a new feature to help estimate the cost of dental procedures.

• Action Required: State Health Insurance Eligibility Audit

  Sep 30, 2015 11:30 am673 views

  Action is required by all employees who cover dependents on the State health insurance plans.

• New FAQs: State Budget and Employee Group Insurance

  Sep 25, 2015 3:15 pm444 views

  Read State of Illinois FAQs about the impact of the continuing budget impasse on the State Employees Group Insurance Program.

• Update: Impact of State Budget on Employee Group Insurance

  Sep 17, 2015 5:15 pm295 views

  While the State budget impasse is delaying payments, many healthcare providers are "business as usual" and requiring only normal copays or co-insurance at the time of service.

• State Health Insurance Eligibility Audit – Letters Arriving Soon

  Sep 15, 2015 3:00 pm696 views

  CMS is conducting an audit to ensure that only eligible dependents are covered on state health insurance plans. Learn what to expect if you have dependents covered under your insurance.

• Using Your Flex Spending Account MCAP Benefit

  Sep 10, 2015 4:00 pm708 views

  The Medical Care Assistance Plan makes it easy to pay for eligible expenses - find out how!

• Employee Benefits Book Available

  Aug 28, 2015 11:45 am617 views

  New version reflects benefits as of July 1, 2015.

• Updated State Benefits Handbook Now Available

  Jul 24, 2015 9:30 am806 views

  Review this detailed guide to State of Illinois health, dental, vision, life insurance, and more employee programs!

• Update Your Mailing Address in NESSIE

  Jul 10, 2015 10:30 am3050 views

  Important dependent eligibility audit information will be mailed this Fall – will it reach you?

• Prescription Drug Vendor Will Change for Certain Health Plans, Effective July 1

  Jun 24, 2015 8:30 am837 views

  Important information for participants in the Quality Care Health Plan (QCHP), HealthLink OAP, or Coventry OAP.

• Part-time Health and Dental Rates Now Available

  Jun 22, 2015 8:45 am635 views

  Determine your cost for coverage effective July 1, 2015.

• Important MCAP Reminders

  Jun 9, 2015 11:45 am359 views

  Check out these helpful reminders for the Medical Care Assistance Plan (MCAP).

• Last Notice: Benefit Choice Ends Monday June 1

  May 27, 2015 6:00 am698 views

  Enrollment deadline is approaching! Enroll in an FSA and/or make other changes to your health, dental, life or dependent coverage.

• State Health Plan: Are you covering someone who is not eligible?

  May 26, 2015 6:00 am497 views

  Before June 1, take a moment to review your covered dependent(s).

• Deadline Approaching: Benefit Choice Ends June 1

  May 15, 2015 2:30 pm425 views

  Have you reviewed your plan options?

• FY 2016 Benefit Choice (NESSIE) Enrollment Period

  Apr 30, 2015 4:00 pm2397 views

  Have you reviewed your options for the FY 2016 Benefit Choice enrollment period?

• ConnectYourCare offers more options for FSA claims

  Mar 17, 2015 9:00 am260 views

  Do you know all of the ways you can file claims for reimbursement?

• Annual Update to Long Term Disability (LTD) Premiums

  Dec 5, 2014 8:45 am510 views

  Did your LTD deduction amount change?