Insurance benefits choice period is in May

The State Employees' Group Insurance Program benefit choice period is May 1 through May 31. Changes made during this period become effective July 1, 2005.

A Benefit Choice Options Booklet, including an election form, will be mailed directly to the home address of all plan participants. In addition, the Benefit Choice Options Booklet is available online beginning Friday, April 29.

Highlights of the offerings for the coming year are:

• NEW BENEFIT for all plans -- Coverage for hearing exams and hearing aids up to a maximum of $100 for audiologist fee(s) and $500 for hearing aid(s). Limited to once every three plan years.
• The same Managed Care plans available last year continue to be available. No change to the monthly contributions for employee or dependent coverages.
• Quality Care Health Plan (QCHP) deductibles, out-of-pocket maximums and premiums have increased. Please refer to page 7 & 15 of your booklet.
• The new Prescription Drug Plan Administrator is Medco Health Solutions for plan participants enrolled in QCHP, HealthLink OAP, Health Alliance Illinois or OSF Winnebago. Remember -- Health Alliance HMO is the plan in which most employees at SIUC are enrolled.
• EyeMed is the new Vision Plan Administrator. No change to co-payments. Please see page 20 for details.
• ALL plans co-payments for Retail Prescription Drug Benefits are as follows: $9 -- generic; $18 -- preferred brand; and $36 -- non-preferred brand. Please refer to page 8 & 9 for details about co-pay and the mail order program.
• Life insurance premiums have increased slightly. See page 6 for details.

For a complete list of changes, please refer to page 2 of the Benefit Choice Options Booklet.

During the Benefit Choice Period, you may:

• Change health plans
• Add or delete dependents
• Increase or decrease term life insurance (increase requires statement of health form)
• Enroll or re-enroll in the Flexible Spending Programs (MCAP or DCAP)
• Opt-in or opt-out of the health, dental and vision programs

In order to help expedite benefit changes, CMS is including a Benefit Choice Election Form in the material that will be mailed to your home. If you want to make changes, but do not need to see a Benefits Counselor, you may complete the form and return it to the Employee Benefits Office, Human Resources, Mailcode 6520 by May 31, 2005. You may also stop by our office at 805 S. Elizabeth St. and make your changes. If you do not want to make any changes, you do not need to return the form.

Information sessions will be held on Tuesday, May 3, 2005 in the Student Center, Mississippi Room at 9 a.m., 11 a.m., and 2 p.m. to review benefit choice changes. A representative from Health Alliance and HealthLink will be present to answer questions.