Public Act 95-0958 will go into effect on July 1, 2009, for the State Employees’ Group Insurance Program that is administered by the Department of Central Management Services (CMS). The Public Act provides an extension of health, dental, vision, and prescription coverage for three new categories of dependents defined as adult children. Adult children, however, are not eligible for life insurance coverage. Listed below are definitions of the three new categories of adult children as defined in the Public Act and by CMS:

Sponsored Adult Child – Unmarried child age 19 and up to, but not including, age 26.

Veteran Adult Child – Unmarried child age 19 and up to, but not including, age 30; who is an Illinois resident, has served as a member of the active or reserve components of any of the branches of the United States Armed Forces and has received a release of discharge other than a dishonorable discharge.

Student Leave of Absence – Unmarried child age 19 and up to, but not including, age 23, enrolled as a full-time student in an accredited school who takes a medical leave of absence or reduces his or her course-load to part-time status because of a catastrophic illness or injury.

Employees who need to add coverage for a dependent who meets one of the above definitions will be able to do so during a special enrollment period from May 1, 2009 through July 31, 2009. Coverage will begin July 1, 2009, for adult children enrolled during May or June. Coverage for adult children enrolled during July will be effective the first day of the pay period following the date of the request (July 16 or August 1).
The cost of coverage for an adult child will vary depending on whether the adult child qualifies as an IRS tax dependent. If the adult child qualifies as an IRS tax dependent, premiums will be deducted on the payroll on a pre-tax basis using the same rate structure as all other qualified IRS tax dependents. If the adult child does not qualify as an IRS tax dependent, premiums will be deducted on the payroll on an after-tax basis at a rate of 100% of the cost of the coverage. If you have trouble determining your adult child’s tax status, you should consult with a tax advisor.
Additional information regarding the Public Act and the enrollment form is available on the Central Management Services website at www.benefitschoice.il.gov. Completed enrollment forms should be sent to the Insurance Office in Human Resource Services.
Insurance questions regarding Public Act 95-0958 can be directed to the Human Resources Service Center at 753-6000. Employees are also welcome to meet with one of our benefits counselors at either the Swen Parson Service Center (room 110) or at Human Resource Services.