Leaves of Absence

Going on a Leave of Absence or being placed in a Non-Pay Status is a qualifying change which allows you to make changes to your current coverage. To make changes to your coverage, logon to MyBenefits.illinois.gov or contact MyBenefits Service Center (toll free) 844-251-1777.   All changes are effective the latter of the effective-date of the Leave-of-Absence/Non-Pay Status or the date-of-request.

You Are Required To:

• Pay the premiums for your elected coverage (premium amount determined on the first day of each pay-period)
• Notify your agency Group Insurance Representative (GIR) and Personnel Office immediately when you:
• Change your address
• Become eligible, or enroll in Medicare due to age, disability, or ESRD
• Physically return-to-work

You Have the Option to:

• Opt-Out of Heath, Dental, Vision coverage (full-time employees) upon providing proof of other comprehensive medical coverage
• Waive Health, Dental, Vision and Optional Life coverage (part-time employees)
• Waive Health, Dental, Vision and Basic and/or Optional Life coverage (full-time employees who are required to pay 100% of the State and member portion of the premium such as personal-leave, and dock/suspension over 30 days)*
• Drop Dependent coverage
• Reduce or drop Optional Life coverage (Statement of Health (SOH) approval required for reinstatement)

*If you have a State-Employed spouse, you may become a dependent under their plan until you physically return to work

Billing Procedure:
Statements will be mailed to you monthly by the CMS Premium Collection Unit. Payment must be received by the due date indicated on the billing statement. Failure to submit payment by the final-notice billing date may result in a current termination-of-coverage and/or the filing of an involuntary-withholding-order to collect the unpaid premium.

Your physical return to work from a Leave-of-Absence is a qualifying change which allows you to make changes to your current coverage. Requests must be made to your agency Group Insurance Representative (GIR) in writing within 60-days of your physical return to work. All changes are effective the latter of the effective date of your return-to-work or the date-of-request.

You Are Required To:

• Notify your GIR and Personnel Office when you have returned to work

You Have the Option to:

• Opt back into the Program (full-time employees)
• Re-enroll in the Program (part-time employees)
• Add dependent coverage
• Reinstate dependent coverage
• Add or increase member Optional Life or add Spouse Life and/or Child Life – A Statement of Health application is required and must be approved by the Life Plan Administrator
• Waive Health, Dental and Vision (part-time employees)
• Opt-Out of Health, Dental and Vision (full-time employees) upon providing proof of other comprehensive medical coverage

If you were a dependent under your State-Employed spouse, your coverage must be reinstated with the same Health and Dental as provided prior to your time away from work. Your member Optional Life coverage may be reinstated without an Statement of Health (SOH) approval if you were continuously covered under Spouse Life. All other dependent coverage will remain under your spouse unless requested otherwise within 60-days of your return to work.

Termination for Non-Payment of Premium:
If you fail to make payment to the Premium Collection Unit while on a Leave-of-Absence or in a Non-Pay Status, your insurance may be terminated and/or an involuntary withholding order may be filed. Past-due-premiums cannot be payroll deducted upon your return to work. Dependent coverage cannot be reinstated until all past due premiums have been received by CMS.

NOTE: This information is provided as an OVERVIEW only. To obtain further information, or to make changes to your coverage, logon to MyBenefits.illinois.gov or contact MyBenefits Service Center (toll free) 844-251-1777.

Leave of Absence Waiver Form