blog posts

• Review Your Beneficiaries: State Life Insurance

  Feb 3, 2021 8:00 am267 views

  Have you designated or reviewed your beneficiaries for your State of Illinois Life Insurance coverage? We recommend that you periodically review your beneficiary designations for your Securian Financial (Minnesota Life) coverage and make a designation if you haven't already!

• Health Plan Reminder: Out-of-Network Providers

  Mar 31, 2021 8:00 am621 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.

• Springfield Clinic Provider Coverage for FY22

  Apr 22, 2021 8:00 am1083 views

  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.

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

  Apr 22, 2021 12:00 pm148 views

  Have you considered participating in the State of Illinois Flexible Spending Account (FSA) Plan? If you spend $265 or more per year on recurring eligible medical or dependent care expenses, then you may save money by paying for them with an FSA. You can reduce your taxable income when you contribute to this plan.

• FY 2022 Benefit Choice Announcement

  Apr 26, 2021 8:00 am762 views

  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.

• Benefit Choice Virtual Benefit Fairs

  Apr 27, 2021 8:00 am199 views

  Do you have questions about changes and plan options available for the FY2022 Benefit Choice period? The State of Illinois Department of Central Management Services (CMS) Benefit Choice Open Enrollment Fairs will be held online throughout the month of May.

• Expanded Funeral/Bereavement Leave and Parental Leave

  May 3, 2021 8:00 am356 views

  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.

• CDHP and Health Savings Account Benefit

  May 12, 2021 12:15 pm581 views

  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.

• Benefit Choice: Make Your Choices by June 1

  May 14, 2021 8:00 am189 views

  We’re half way through Benefit Choice at https://MyBenefits.illinois.gov! Remember, you have until June 1 to make your State benefit elections or changes for the upcoming plan year. Elections will be effective July 1, 2021. For help registering and logging in to MyBenefits, see the MyBenefits FAQs.

• Benefit Choice: Submit Your Documentation

  May 14, 2021 8:00 am243 views

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

• 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.

• 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.

• Last Chance: Benefit Choice Ends Tuesday, June 1!

  May 26, 2021 8:00 am239 views

  Benefit Choice ends Tuesday, June 1! 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, 2021

• Flexible Spending Re-Enrollment and Reminders

  May 26, 2021 8:00 am178 views

  The end of Benefit Choice is June 1. If you haven’t re-enrolled in the Flexible Spending Account (FSA) Program for the plan year beginning on July 1, 2021, you have until June 1 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!

• HSHS Medical Group Provider Coverage for FY22

  May 27, 2021 4:30 pm231 views

  HSHS Medical Group will continue to serve Aetna HMO, Aetna OAP, Quality Care Health Plan (QCHP) and Consumer Driven Health Plan (CDHP) for FY22.

• ConnectYourCare is transitioning to Optum Financial

  Jun 18, 2021 12:15 pm1398 views

  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.

• New State Life Insurance Carrier - MetLife

  Jun 29, 2021 3:00 pm962 views

  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. 

• Verify Your State Benefit Elections

  Jun 30, 2021 11:00 am399 views

  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.

• HealthLink Participants: Watch for Your Updated ID Card

  Jul 9, 2021 11:45 am356 views

  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.

• Your Flexible Spending Account: Verify Deductions and Reminder

  Jul 13, 2021 8:00 am189 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.

• State Life Insurance Beneficiary Designation

  Jul 14, 2021 8:00 am363 views

  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.

• Your Flexible Spending Account: Login with HealthSafe ID

  Aug 6, 2021 7:30 am528 views

  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.

• Returning from Leave - State Benefits Coverage

  Aug 12, 2021 7:30 am135 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.

• Reminder: State Benefit Updates Effective July 1

  Aug 16, 2021 7:30 am385 views

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

• MyBenefits Unavailable September 8 - 12

  Sep 2, 2021 7:30 am462 views

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

• Deadline September 30: Submit FSA Claims for FY2021

  Sep 15, 2021 7:30 am223 views

  Only a few weeks remain to submit your Flexible Spending Account (FSA) claims for the FY2021 plan year! Any remaining claims for services from July 1, 2020 through June 30, 2021, must be submitted by September 30 for reimbursement.

• Review/Update Your Mailing Address

  Sep 17, 2021 1:00 pm299 views

  Have you reviewed your mailing address recently?

• Health Plan Reminder: Out-of-Network Providers

  Sep 23, 2021 8:00 am409 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

  Sep 30, 2021 7:30 am269 views

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

• Reminder: Verify Your Benefit Choice Elections

  Sep 30, 2021 11:00 am321 views

  The new plan year for State benefits (health/vision, dental, and life insurance, and flexible spending accounts) started on July 1, and any changes you made during Benefit Choice are now in effect. If you have not already done so, now is a great time to verify your benefit elections and payroll deductions.

• MetLife Advantages Program

  Oct 14, 2021 3:00 pm219 views

  Did you know that in addition to basic term life coverage, SEGIP benefits-eligible employees have access to additional services through the State Life Insurance vendor, MetLife?

• Annual Update to Long Term Disability (LTD) Premiums

  Dec 3, 2021 1:00 pm198 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, 2021 - November 30, 2022.

• Designate or Review Your Beneficiaries: State Life Insurance

  Mar 31, 2022 4:00 pm524 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

  Apr 5, 2022 8:00 am548 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 6, 2022 8:00 am184 views

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

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

  Apr 19, 2022 8:00 am163 views

  Have you considered participating in the State of Illinois Flexible Spending Account (FSA) Plan? If you spend $265 or more per year on recurring eligible medical or dependent care expenses, then you may save money by paying for them with an FSA. You can reduce your taxable income when you contribute to this plan.

• 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.

• FY 2023 Benefit Choice Announcement

  Apr 25, 2022 8:00 am1180 views

  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.

• MyBenefits Plus Voluntary Benefit Programs

  May 4, 2022 8:00 am1069 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.

• Benefit Choice: Make Your Choices by May 31

  May 13, 2022 8:00 am158 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, 2022. For help registering and logging in to MyBenefits, see the MyBenefits FAQs.

• Benefit Choice: Submit Your Documentation

  May 13, 2022 9:00 am279 views

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

• Deadline Approaching: Benefit Choice Ends May 31!

  May 20, 2022 1:00 pm155 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, 2022.

• Flexible Spending Re-Enrollment and Reminders

  May 26, 2022 8:30 am163 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, 2022, 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!

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

  May 27, 2022 8:30 am222 views

  Benefit Choice ends Tuesday, 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, 2022.

• Verify Your State Benefit Elections

  Jun 23, 2022 8:00 am239 views

  The new plan year for State benefits (health/vision, dental, and life insurance, and flexible spending accounts) starts on July 1, 2022. 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, 2022.

• 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.

• 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.

• 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.

• Health Plan Reminder: Out-of-Network Providers

  Sep 22, 2022 8:00 am507 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.

• Reminder: Verify Your Benefit Choice Elections

  Sep 29, 2022 8:00 am142 views

  The new plan year for State benefits (health/vision, dental, and life insurance, and flexible spending accounts) started on July 1, and any changes you made during Benefit Choice are now in effect. If you have not already done so, now is a great time to verify your benefit elections and payroll deductions.