blog posts

• Deadline Approaching: Benefit Choice Ends June 1!

  May 20, 2021 8:00 am125 views

  The last day to make Benefit Choice changes will be here soon! Remember, you only have until June 1 to make your State benefit elections or changes for the upcoming plan year on https://MyBenefits.illinois.gov, including health, dental, life insurance, flexible spending account (MCAP/DCAP) enrollment, and health savings account (HSA) enrollment. Elections will be effective July 1, 2021. For help registering and logging in to MyBenefits, see the MyBenefits FAQs.

• MyBenefits Plus Voluntary Benefit Programs

  May 2, 2024 8:00 am124 views

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

• Health Plan Reminder: Out-of-Network Providers

  Apr 4, 2024 8:00 am119 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.

• Your Flexible Spending Account: Verify Deductions and Reminder

  Jul 13, 2022 8:00 am109 views

  At the beginning of a new benefit year, it’s a good idea to review your payroll deductions to ensure the appropriate amounts are being withheld. You should view the benefit deductions on your Earnings Statement to ensure your FSA deductions and other benefit deductions are correct.

• Annual Update to Long Term Disability (LTD) Premiums

  Dec 6, 2022 8:00 am107 views

  Participants in the University LTD Plan may notice a change to your payroll deduction amount. The deduction is calculated annually and is effective for the period of December 1, 2022 - November 30, 2023.

• Verify Your State Benefit Elections

  Jun 22, 2023 9:00 am93 views

  The new plan year for State benefits (health/vision, dental, and life insurance, and flexible spending and health savings accounts) starts on July 1, 2023. If you made any changes during Benefit Choice, you should have received or will soon receive a mailing from CMS at your home address confirming your Benefit Choice elections. Any changes you made will be in effect July 1, 2023. 

• Benefit Choice: Submit Your Documentation

  May 16, 2024 2:00 pm92 views

  If you made a Benefit Choice change that requires supporting documentation. Please remember to provide your documents by the deadline!

• Benefit Choice: Save on Taxes with a Flexible Spending Account!

  Apr 22, 2024 2:00 pm82 views

  Have you considered participating in the State of Illinois Flexible Spending Account (FSA) Plan? 

• Benefit Choice: Flex Spending Re-enrollment is not automatic!

  May 20, 2021 8:00 am79 views

  Re-enrollment in a Flexible Spending Account (FSA) is not automatic! To continue participation, you must re-enroll! For more information, see the FSA Program.

• Your Flexible Spending Account: Verify Deductions and Reminder

  Jul 13, 2023 8:30 am79 views

  At the beginning of a new benefit year, it’s a good idea to review your payroll deductions to ensure the appropriate amounts are being withheld. You should view the benefit deductions on your Earnings Statement to ensure your FSA deductions and other benefit deductions are correct.

• Deadline Approaching: Benefit Choice Ends May 31!

  May 19, 2023 8:00 am76 views

  The last day to make Benefit Choice changes will be here soon! Remember, you only have until May 31 to make your State benefit elections or changes for the upcoming plan year on https://MyBenefits.illinois.gov, including health, dental, life insurance, flexible spending account (MCAP/DCAP) enrollment, and health savings account (HSA) enrollment. Elections will be effective July 1, 2023.

• Returning from Leave - State Benefits Coverage

  Aug 17, 2022 11:00 am74 views

  During an unpaid leave, Central Management Services (CMS) mails bills directly to State benefit participants, and bills are to be paid in full to CMS. Failing to pay premium bills can result in your coverage being terminated.

• Verify Your State Benefit Elections

  Jun 25, 2024 9:00 am70 views

  The new plan year for State benefits (health/vision, dental, and life insurance, and flexible spending and health savings accounts) starts on July 1, 2024. If you made any changes during Benefit Choice, you should have received or will soon receive a mailing from CMS at your home address confirming your Benefit Choice elections. 

• Your Flexible Spending Account: Verify Deductions and Reminder

  Aug 6, 2024 2:00 pm69 views

  At the beginning of a new benefit year, it’s a good idea to review your payroll deductions to ensure the appropriate amounts are being withheld.

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  Designate or Review Your Beneficiaries: State Life Insurance

  Apr 12, 2023 8:00 am68 views

  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.

• Deadline September 30: Submit FSA Claims for FY2022

  Sep 15, 2022 8:00 am66 views

  Only a few weeks remain to submit your Flexible Spending Account (FSA) claims for the FY2022 plan year! You are receiving this email because our records indicate that you participated in an FSA during FY202. Any remaining claims for services from July 1, 2021 through June 30, 2022, must be submitted by September 30 for reimbursement.

• Benefit Choice: Make Your Choices by May 31

  May 12, 2023 8:00 am55 views

  We’re halfway through Benefit Choice at https://MyBenefits.illinois.gov! Remember, you have until May 31 to make your State benefit elections or changes for the upcoming plan year. Elections will be effective July 1, 2023. For help registering and logging in to MyBenefits, see the MyBenefits FAQs.

• Returning from Leave - State Benefits Coverage

  Aug 15, 2024 8:30 am50 views

  During an unpaid leave, Central Management Services (CMS) mails bills directly to State benefit participants, and bills are to be paid in full to CMS. Failing to pay premium bills can result in your coverage being terminated.

• MyBenefits Plus Voluntary Benefit Programs

  May 4, 2023 8:00 am49 views

  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. 

• Coming Soon: Open Enrollment for University Long Term Disability Plan

  Feb 13, 2023 9:00 am46 views

  You may be eligible for the University Supplemental Long Term Disability (LTD) Plan. This voluntary plan is a supplement to the State Universities Retirement System (SURS) disability benefit and may provide additional coverage if you become unable to work due to sickness or injury.

• MyBenefits: Review/Add Your Email Address

  Apr 6, 2023 8:00 am43 views

  Receive State-benefits notices from MyBenefits faster by providing your email address!

• Health Plan Reminder: Out-of-Network Providers

  Apr 5, 2023 8:00 am42 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.

• MyBenefits: Review/Add Your Email Address

  Apr 10, 2024 3:00 pm41 views

  Receive State-benefits notices from MyBenefits faster by providing your email address!

• Commuter Benefit Program Contribution Limit Increase for 2025

  Nov 25, 2024 3:45 pm41 views

  The Commuter benefit program contribution limit is increasing for 2025.

• Flexible Spending Re-Enrollment and Reminders

  May 28, 2024 9:00 am40 views

  The end of Benefit Choice is May 31. If you haven’t re-enrolled in the Flexible Spending Account (FSA) Program for the plan year beginning on July 1, 2024, you have until May 31 to do so. 

• Last Chance: Benefit Choice Ends Wednesday, May 31!

  May 30, 2023 8:00 am39 views

  Benefit Choice ends Wednesday, May 31! This is your final reminder to make your State benefit elections or changes for the upcoming plan year on https://MyBenefits.illinois.gov. Elections will be effective July 1, 2023.

• Springfield Clinic Letter

  Apr 21, 2022 1:00 pm37 views

  You may have received a letter from Springfield Clinic regarding health care claims. The letter only applies to Blue Cross Blue Shield (BCBS) Open Access Plan (OAP) members. Please disregard if you participate in a BCBS HMO (HMO Illinois or BlueAdvantage HMO) plan.

• Deadline Approaching: Benefit Choice Ends May 31!

  May 21, 2024 8:00 am36 views

  The last day to make Benefit Choice changes will be here soon! Remember, you only have until May 31 to make your State benefit elections or changes for the upcoming plan year.

• Flexible Spending Re-Enrollment and Reminders

  May 26, 2023 8:00 am36 views

  The end of Benefit Choice is May 31. If you haven’t re-enrolled in the Flexible Spending Account (FSA) Program for the plan year beginning on July 1, 2023, you have until May 31 to do so at https://MyBenefits.illinois.gov. No action is required if you are not re-enrolling in an FSA or making any other Benefit Choice changes!

• Designate or Review Your Beneficiaries: State Life Insurance

  Sep 14, 2023 2:00 pm36 views

  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.

• Health Plan Reminder: Out-of-Network Providers

  Sep 21, 2023 11:00 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.

• Annual Update to Long Term Disability (LTD) Premiums

  Dec 5, 2023 8:00 am35 views

  As a participant in the University LTD Plan, you may notice a change to your payroll deduction amount. The deduction is calculated annually and is effective for the period of December 1, 2023 - November 30, 2024. 

• Benefit Choice: Make Your Choices by May 31

  May 15, 2024 8:00 am34 views

  We’re halfway through Benefit Choice at https://MyBenefits.illinois.gov! Remember, you have until May 31 to make your State benefit elections or changes for the upcoming plan year. Elections will be effective July 1, 2024. For help registering and logging in to MyBenefits, see the MyBenefits FAQs. 

• Deadline September 30: Submit FSA Claims for FY2023

  Sep 19, 2023 8:00 am33 views

  Only a couple weeks remain to submit your Flexible Spending Account (FSA) claims for the FY2023 plan year! You are receiving this email because our records indicate that you participated in an FSA during FY2023. Any remaining claims for services from July 1, 2022 through June 30, 2023, must be submitted by September 30 for reimbursement.

• State Spouse Life Insurance Reduction for Spouses Age 60+

  Nov 6, 2024 11:15 am32 views

  Due to a change in the Group Insurance Act 5 ILCS 375/7a(5), State Spouse Life Coverage was reduced for spouses aged 60 and over, from $10,000 to $5,000 and the corresponding premium rate of $5.70 was reduced to $2.85 effective October 1, 2024. 

• Returning from Leave - State Benefits Coverage

  Aug 17, 2023 8:30 am31 views

  During an unpaid leave, Central Management Services (CMS) mails bills directly to State benefit participants, and bills are to be paid in full to CMS. Failing to pay premium bills can result in your coverage being terminated.

• MyBenefits Plus Webinar

  May 7, 2024 2:00 pm30 views

  Are you interested in learning more about MyBenefits Plus, a voluntary benefit program? 

• Health Plan Reminder: Out-of-Network Providers

  Sep 24, 2024 10:00 am28 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.

• Designate or Review Your Beneficiaries: State Life Insurance

  Apr 18, 2024 8:00 am24 views

  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.

• Last Chance: Benefit Choice Ends Friday, May 31!

  May 30, 2024 8:00 am24 views

  Benefit Choice ends Wednesday, May 31! This is your final reminder to make your State benefit elections or changes for the upcoming plan year on https://MyBenefits.illinois.gov. 

• Designate or Review Your Beneficiaries: State Life Insurance

  Sep 12, 2024 1:00 pm19 views

  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.

• Message from CMS about higher than expected call volume at MyBenefits Service Center

  May 31, 2024 4:00 pm15 views

  Due to a higher than expected call volume at the MyBenefits Call Center, there could be a longer than normal wait time to speak with a representative. All voicemails received today, May 31, 2024, into the call center to enroll will be honored and processed with you in the next two business days.

• Deadline September 30: Submit FSA Claims for FY2024

  Sep 19, 2024 9:00 am11 views

  Only a couple weeks remain to submit your Flexible Spending Account (FSA) claims for the FY2024 plan year!

• Annual Update to Long Term Disability (LTD) Premiums

  Dec 13, 2023 11:30 am0 views

  As a participant in the University LTD Plan, you may notice a change to your payroll deduction amount. The deduction is calculated annually and is effective for the period of December 1, 2024 - November 30, 2025.