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Human Resources

Benefit Choice Period: May 1 – June 1, 2026

Benefit Choice Booklet

  1. Health Advocate: This is a new service beginning May 1, 2026 for all health plan participants.  Health Advocate helps you and your covered dependents with health or well-being issues.  Experts will work with members on claims and billing issues, finding in-network providers, exploring treatment options, getting second opinions, and many other services, available in over 250 languages.  Review page 1 of the Benefit Choice Booklet for more information.
  2. A new category of dependents becomes eligible on July 1, 2026.  This category includes the employee’s parent or stepparent for whom the employee provides more than 50% of support, has a gross income below the IRS limit for the year, and resides within the health plan’s service area.  Please contact HR if you are interested in adding this dependent.  A listing of required documentation is not yet available from CMS.
  3. Updates to the MyBenefits site will allow members to see balances in their Optum spending accounts, review direct billing payment history, and make a direct bill payment.
  4. Premiums will be increasing for all plans. Monthly contribution amounts beginning July 1, 2026 can be found on pages 3 and 11 of the Benefit Choice Booklet.  Please note that salary band ranges have been expanded which may also cause a change to monthly costs, possibly resulting in a lower premium.
  5. Be sure to review the plan coverage map on page 2 of the Benefit Choice Booklet to ensure the plan you’re enrolled in continues to be offered in your county of residence.
  6. Inpatient service and outpatient surgery charges are increasing by $50 in the HMOs, OAPs, and Quality Care Health Plan.  Review the summary of benefits on pages 5-7 in the Benefit Choice Booklet.
  7. Deductibles for the Consumer Driven Health Plan (CDHP) are increasing by $50 for individuals and $100 for family.  Review the summary of benefits on page 8 in the Benefit Choice Booklet.
  8. Flexible Spending: Employees must re-enroll each year. The maximum contributions for FY27 MCAP and DCAP as well as rollover provisions are found on page 9 of the Benefit Choice Booklet. The DCAP maximum contribution amount has increased substantially for the first time in many years.
  9. Health Savings Account (HSA) must re-enroll for FY27. Maximum contributions can be found on page 9 of the Benefit Choice Booklet.  Enrollment in the Consumer Driven Health Plan (CDHP) is required to participate in the HSA.
  10. Enhanced Delta Dental Benefit Program: This program offers services, including additional cleanings and fluoride treatments, for individuals with certain health conditions.  For specific coverage, contact Delta Dental at 1-800-323-1743.
  11. Additional Vision Benefits: EyeMed offers additional coverage for additional types of lenses, lens coatings, and diabetic retinopathy services. For additional information, please contact EyeMed at 1-866-723-0512.

Download the booklet

Benefit Choice Fair

The University will be hosting a Benefit Choice Fair on Tuesday, May 5 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. in the Prairie Room of the Bone Student Center (second floor).  Vendors from all insurance plans and retirement savings plans (TIAA/Fidelity/Voya/SURS/CMS) as well as representatives from Human Resources, Payroll, and Health Promotion and Wellness will be available to answer questions.

Where Should I Search for Providers?

Each health plan has a directory on their website of providers within their network. Click here to find provider directories for each health plan.

What Documentation is Required for Dependents?

When adding a dependent during the Benefit Choice Period, supporting documentation is required before your change can be finalized. Learn about the documentation requirements to add a dependent.

Supporting documentation can be uploaded on the MyBenefits portal after you make your Benefit Choice elections.

How Do I Make My Benefit Elections?

Where Can I Learn About MCAP and HSA Eligible Expenses?

Did You Know?

There are many other benefits available to you through the State of Illinois and Central Management Services in addition to the choices you make during the Benefit Choice Period each year. Now is a great time to familiarize yourself with some of these additional programs.

Employee Assistance Program (EAP)

The employee assistance program is administered by ComPsych GuidanceResources and offers free, voluntary, and confidential service for all active State members and State health insurance-covered dependents experiencing hardship in managing relationships, finances, work, education, or other life issues. Counselors are available to provide problem identification, counseling, and referral services.

  • 5 sessions of short-term counseling available per person per issue each plan year (virtually or in person)
  • Unlimited legal and financial telephone consultations
  • Unlimited work life research and referral to elder care, childcare, relocation, and more

CMS Be Well Illinois Program

The Be Well Illinois program is the state’s new comprehensive approach to wellness. Be Well Illinois is designed to not only focus on supporting your physical health but also your mental, financial, and social wellbeing. As a wellness plan member, you can use this site to access health plan information and educational resources including wellness webinars, monthly health awareness causes, financial wellness, healthy eating, and exercise.

Adoption Benefit Program

Employees who adopt children are eligible for reimbursement of adoption expenses up to $1,500 through this program.

Smoking Cessation Program

Members and their enrolled dependents are eligible to receive a maximum $200 rebate upon completion of an approved smoking cessation program.

Weight-Loss Benefit Program

Employees who are enrolled in one of the health insurance programs are eligible to receive a maximum $200 rebate toward the cost an approved weight loss program once every three plan years.

Reproductive Healthcare Benefit Program

The Reproductive Healthcare Program will reimburse eligible employees for some costs associated with the need for themselves, or their dependents, to travel outside of the state of residence to access reproductive healthcare. For more information, please review the CMS website.