Opt-Out of Coverage

In accordance with Public Act 92-0600, full-time employees, retirees, annuitants, and survivors may elect to Opt-Out of the State Employees Health Insurance Program. *Proof of other major medical insurance coverage is only required if the member is completing a loss of or gain of other coverage event.  Opting-out will terminate all health, dental, vision and prescription coverage for the member and any dependents; unless employee elects Dental-Only coverage. Life insurance coverage, for the employee and any dependents, will remain (Basic Life and any elected Optional Life). 

Non-Medicare retirees, annuitants, and survivors who elect to opt-out will be opting-out of health, vision, behavioral health, and prescription coverage.  Dental and optional life insurance coverage will remain in effect unless the annuitant specifically terminates the coverage during the Benefit Choice Period.

Members who wish to Opt-Out must contact the MyBenefits Service Center and complete the opt-out request within 30 days of initial employment or within 60 days of the qualifying event date.  Documentation* of other coverage must be provided to MyBenefits within the enrollment period stated above. 

*Effective 7/1/21, Members are not required to provide proof of other coverage unless the member is completing a loss of or gain of other coverage event.  Contact your Group Insurance Representative with questions.  

Employees who are retiring and were previously enrolled in the State Group Insurance Program but wish to opt-out upon retirement to enroll in the Opt-Out with Financial Incentive program must mark the "incentive box" on the retirement form that is in the retirement packet and return this document to the appropriate retirement system.  Once reviewed for eligibility, the retirement system will mail or email the financial incentive packet. Click here for more information on the Annuitants Opt-Out page.

Members opting out of the Program are not eligible for the:

• Free influenza immunizations offered annually by the Department of Healthcare and Family Services
• COBRA continuation of coverage
• Smoking Cessation Benefit
• Weight-Loss Benefit
  

Employees opting out of the Program are eligible for the:

• Flexible Spending Account (FSA) Program
• Commuter Savings Program (CSP)
• Either of the two separate Employee Assistance Programs
• Adoption Benefit Program
• Voluntary benefits offered through MyBenefits Plus

Individuals who opt-out under either public act may re-enroll in the Program only during the annual Benefit Choice period (May 1 - 31 each year), or within 60 days of experiencing an eligible qualifying change in status.