To: Benefits-Eligible Faculty and Staff Members
From: UPB Benefits Services and University Human Resources
This message provides the latest information the University has received from the Illinois department of Central Management Services (CMS) regarding the FY2012 Benefit Choice Period. Please see NESSIE's home page for earlier Benefit Choice notices.
News from CMS
The June 17, 2011 deadline to make Benefit Choice elections, as well as the carriers and plans available for Benefit Choice, remain the same. The recent action by the General Assembly on Senate Bill 178 does not affect the deadline or the carrier options. Last week, the Executive Ethics Commission rejected vendor protests and the new group health insurance contracts will continue as planned.
Members are able to choose among the following plans, depending on location: Blue Advantage HMO, HMO Illinois, HealthLink OAP, PersonalCare OAP and QCHP. CMS is available to assist all members in understanding their options.
CMS is in the process of updating the CMS website (www.benefitschoice.il.gov) to make the following changes:
1. The links to the Managed Care plans' websites are now on the first page, making them immediately visible to the members.
2. Information will be added under the Latest News links to provide any updates regarding the provider networks for the carriers.
3. A list will be posted of all of the Benefit Fairs scheduled across the State from now until June 17th.
--- Urbana Campus - outreach sessions are scheduled where PersonalCare OAP and HealthLink OAP representatives will be available to answer questions. Go to the OBFS Training website at http://training.obfs.uillinois.edu/index.cfm?campus=5 to register for a Benefit Choice Session (registration is required). Additional sessions are in the process of being added to this website; check this site daily for additional availability.
--- Chicago Campus - business managers and human resource representatives may contact UPB Benefits Services at 312-996-1848 to schedule departmental Benefit Choice sessions.
--- Springfield Campus - three Benefit Choice Open Computer Lab Sessions have been scheduled in June at the Human Resources Building and University Hall Building. See your HR Notes email sent on May 27th. Walk ins welcome - no registration required. Call 217-206-7144 or 217-206-7237 with any questions.
Additional Special Enrollment Period #2
Additionally, in order to address any member concerns, CMS has committed to a Special Enrollment Period #2 to be held prior to the end of the calendar year. During the additional Special Enrollment Period, members will be able to change their health carrier plans based on any changes to the provider networks or any other member considerations. A date has not yet been set for the Special Enrollment Period #2, and CMS does not anticipate setting that date until AFTER July 1st. Further communications will be sent to advise you as soon as the dates for the Special Enrollment Period #2 are set. Members will ONLY be permitted to make health carrier changes during the Special Enrollment Period #2. There will NOT be a Special Enrollment Period #2 for dental, life, flexible spending, dependent coverage, etc.
Benefit Choice Changes Online in NESSIE
You can access the Benefit Choice option in NESSIE to make benefit changes online. Information on other changes for Benefit Choice FY2012 is listed in the email sent on April 29, 2011. If you need assistance in NESSIE, select the Help link that appears on every screen for answers to common questions and phone numbers to call for assistance.
If you have any questions about your benefit plans or options, 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
