The annual Benefits Choice Period is underway and employees must complete any benefit changes by May 31.  Central Management Services (CMS) has mailed a Benefits Choice Options booklet to members’ (employees’) home address (on file in the Group Insurance Membership System).  Employees can also access current Benefits Choice information through the CMS Web site:  http://www.state.il.us/cms/3_servicese_ben_choice/defaultFY07.htm or the Human Resource Services (HRS) Web site, www.hr.niu.edu.

Employees seeking information concerning benefit changes or options should review the new CMS Benefits Choice booklet, consult the CMS and HRS Web site links, and/or speak with the NIU Insurance and Employee Benefits Office by calling (815) 753-6000.  Employees should take note of the following key points for FY07:

• There is an addition to the current Managed Care HMO plans.  See the map available on the CMS Benefits Choice Web site or in the Benefits Choice booklet.  Added is Personal Care in Boone, Carroll, Henry, Rock Island, and Mercer counties.
• CIGNA remains the administrator of the Quality Care Health Plan.
• CIGNA Web site: http://provider.healthcare.cigna.com/soi.html contains a current list of State of Illinois PPO hospitals, CIGNA PPO hospitals, and a provider directory for the CIGNA Physician’s Network.
• The CMS Web site has posted a listing of participating PPO hospitals for the Quality Care Health Plan (CIGNA) at its Web site, www.benefitschoice.il.gov.
• Quality Care Plan deductibles and out-of-pocket maximums have increased.
• Co-payments have changed in the Managed Care Plans and prescription program.  See the CMS Benefits Choice booklet and Web site for specific amounts.
• EyeMed continues to be the administrator of the Vision Plan.
• Medco continues to be the Pharmacy Plan administrator for the Quality Care Health Plan and the following managed care health plans: OSF Winnebago, Health Alliance Illinois, and HealthLink OAP.  Prescription mail order forms and information are available at www.benefitschoice.il.gov.
• Effective July 1, 2006, same-sex domestic partners are eligible for health, dental, pharmacy, and vision coverage, as administered by CMS.

• Employees in other HMO plans should consult with their HMO concerning pharmacy benefits under that plan.

• Maintenance medications may be obtained either through a Maintenance Network pharmacist or through the Medco Mail Order Pharmacy where members receive a 61-90 day supply of medication (equivalent to 3 fills) for only two co-payments ($20/$40/$80).  A list of pharmacies participating in the Maintenance Network is available at www.benefitschoice.il.gov.
• Prescription co-pays will increase to $10 (generic), $20 (formulary), and $40 (non-preferred brand) medications.

New Plan Changes and Additions Include:

• Effective July 1, 2006, same-sex domestic partners are eligible for health, dental, pharmacy and vision coverage.  Contact a member of the Insurance and Employee Benefits staff (753-6000) for information on eligibility and enrollment procedures, or visit the CMS Benefits Web site at www.benefitschoice.il.gov for eligibility and enrollment information.
• Changes in flexible spending programs:  In a change from prior policies, all university employees are now eligible for the entire plan year.  Enrollment must take place during Benefits Choice (May 1 - May 31).  Eligibility begins July 1, 2006 and ends June 30, 2007 even if the employee is on summer break.  Return to work for the fall semester is not a qualifying change in status for enrollment.  This should eliminate some of the problems participating employees have encountered during periods of off pay status.

• Medicare Part D: CMS states that existing drug coverage under the State Employees Group Insurance is as good as (or better than) prescription coverage under Medicare Part D.  Employees should retain the 2006-2007 Notice of Creditable Coverage on page 29 of the Benefits Choice booklet.

Faculty and Staff Off Pay Status During the Summer:

• Faculty on 9 or 10 month contracts are reminded that they can elect the 12-month payroll option prior to August 1.  This option avoids the requirement of paying CMS insurance bills during the summer and assures eligibility for MCAP and DCAP participation on a continuous basis.
• All employees who are off pay status during the summer are reminded that they will be billed for insurance and benefit premiums by CMS.  Failure to make regular payment on these bills could result in loss of optional benefits, such as optional life insurance including spouse and child life, and could invoke a pre-existing condition clause.
• If you know you will be away for a period of time, contact the CMS premium collection unit (800-442-1300) to discuss how to make your summer premium payments.
• Employees who will be off pay status during the summer may make certain changes to their insurance benefits.  Details regarding benefit options, payment of insurance premiums, and the required form to request benefit changes can be found on the Human Resource Services Web site at http://www.hr.niu.edu.

Sick Leave Bank Donation:

• The university has established a Sick Leave Bank program in which regularly appointed faculty, supportive professional staff, and civil service employees are eligible to participate.
• Regularly appointed employees may elect to join the Sick Leave Bank during the Benefits Choice period, May 1 through May 31, 2006.
• For FY07, current participants will not be required to donate additional sick days to maintain participation due to the adequacy of donated sick days remaining on balance as of this date.
• Otherwise, participation in the Sick Leave Bank program requires an employee (who was not enrolled during FY06) to annually donate at least one day of accrued sick leave prior to the end of the annual “Benefits Choice” period.  Consistent with the Illinois Sick Leave Bank Act, the Sick Leave Bank program is designed to assist NIU employees who face major health crises and who have exhausted all other available benefits.
• To register for participation in the Sick Leave Bank program for FY07, please complete the enrollment form, which is available on the HRS Web site at http://www.hr.niu.edu/benefitschoice/index.cfm.
• All forms must be received in the Payroll Department by May 31, 2006.  If you have any questions regarding the Sick Leave Bank program, please feel free to contact Human Resource Services at 753-6000.
• Employees on temporary appointments have separate sick leave banks and their donation period is August 16 through October 31, 2006.

Human Resource Services provides this information as guidance to employees.  While we make every effort to assure the accuracy and completeness of this information, employees are urged to directly access the information provided by Central Management Services and the designated care providers who establish and maintain the official policies and procedures.  Where possible, we have provided links to relevant Web sites for your convenience in accessing additional information and clarification.