System HR News

Do you have questions about changes and plan options available during the FY2026 Benefit Choice period? The State of Illinois Department of Central Management Services (CMS) Benefit Choice Open Enrollment Fairs will be held in-person and will have recordings available online throughout the month of May.

There’s still time to secure the new Life Insurance with Long-Term Care benefit through MyBenefits Plus. Open Enrollment has been extended through Friday, December 12, 2025. 

The University of Illinois System is pleased to announce the expansion of funeral/bereavement leave and parental leave for leave benefit-eligible employees. These leave enhancements are effective 8/16/21.

Open Enrollment for the University Supplemental Long Term Disability (LTD) Plan is available now through March 10, 2023!

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.

We’d like to provide a general reminder about some State benefits changes that took effect July 1, 2021.

We recently communicated that MetLife is the new Life Insurance Carrier for the State of Illinois Employees’ Group Insurance Program (SEGIP). See below for some important updates regarding this transition.

New for FY 2022, your HealthLink ID card will only have your (the primary member’s) name listed.  You will not receive separate cards with covered dependents’ names as you have in previous years.  Additionally, your middle initial(s) will not be on the ID card.

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.

The new plan year for State benefits (health/vision, dental, and life insurance, and flexible spending accounts) starts on July 1, 2021. If you made any changes during Benefit Choice, you should have received a mailing from CMS at your home address confirming your Benefit Choice elections. Any changes you made will be in effect tomorrow.

The MyBenefits Service Center and MyBenefits.illinois.gov will be unavailable from 6 p.m. September 8th – September 12th for a system upgrade.

The State Department of Central Management Services (CMS) has announced that the Fiscal Year (FY) 2027 Benefit Choice enrollment period will begin May 1 and end June 1, 2026.

Ensure your life insurance benefits are distributed according to your wishes by designating or reviewing your beneficiary designations for your State of Illinois Life Insurance coverage

The State Department of Central Management Services (CMS) has announced that the Fiscal Year (FY) 2024 Benefit Choice enrollment period will begin May 1 and end May 31, 2023.

Last month, we communicated that the FSA vendor, ConnectYourCare (CYC), is transitioning to Optum Financial. As part of this change, participants will now log into their accounts using HealthSafe ID. HealthSafe ID provides the enhanced security of two-factor authentication to keep your information secure.

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.

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.

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.

Did you know that as a full-time State benefits-eligible employee you have access to MyBenefits Plus, a voluntary benefit program?

The following information is intended for Health Alliance plan participants.  

On February 25, 2025, Health Alliance announced it will discontinue its commercial insurance operations at the end of the 2025 calendar year. As a result, through Health Alliance's collaboration with the Illinois Department of Central Management Services (CMS) the decision was made to end coverage with Health Alliance effective July 1, 2025. 

The State Department of Central Management Services (CMS) has announced that the Fiscal Year (FY) 2022 Benefit Choice enrollment period will begin May 1 and end June 1, 2021.

Are you considering the Consumer Driven Health Plan (CDHP) with a Health Savings Account (HSA) during Benefit Choice this year? The CDHP is a high-deductible health plan as defined by the IRS. CDHP participants may choose any physician or hospital for medical services; however, you receive enhanced benefits, resulting in lower out-of-pocket costs, when receiving services from a CDHP in-network provider. CDHP has a nationwide network of providers through Aetna PPO.

The State Department of Central Management Services (CMS) has announced that the Fiscal Year (FY) 2025 Benefit Choice enrollment period will begin May 1 and end May 31, 2024. 

MetLife is the new Life Insurance Carrier for the State of Illinois Employees’ Group Insurance Program (SEGIP) with coverage transitioning July 1, 2021. Please watch your mail regarding the plan summary and rate information. 

Effective July 1, 2021, Springfield Clinic will no longer have providers available under the HMO Illinois (Physicians Health Association of Illinois (PHAI) Medical Group) or Blue Advantage HMO plans for State of Illinois.

The State Department of Central Management Services (CMS) has announced that the Fiscal Year (FY) 2023 Benefit Choice enrollment period will begin May 1 and end May 31, 2022.

Did you know that as a full-time State benefits-eligible employee you have access to MyBenefits Plus, a voluntary benefit program? MyBenefits Plus, administered by Corestream, offers a variety of services available to you through payroll deduction.

ConnectYourCare (CYC), the current vendor for Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAs), is transitioning to Optum Financial over the coming months. During this time, you may see both the CYC and Optum Financial names on program materials.