State Latest News Archives

Elements of diversity can include people's ethnicity, religious beliefs, cultural preferences, age group, physical abilities or handicaps, economic and educational background, and sexual orientation. You can learn and grow professionally if you make a concerted effort to understand and accept co-workers' differences.

Thriving in a Multigenerational Workforce │ Wednesday, March 11

Join this webinar to

• Describe the five generations currently in the workplace
• Learn how each generation impacts the workplace
• Identify tips to help you navigate the multigenerational workforce

Click Here to Register  ***

 *** If you receive the message "Preparing the room..." and the room doesn't open within a few seconds, please close out of the browser and click on the URL again—when the browser opens, pick the option "Open in Application." If prompted, please download the Adobe Connect Application. If your employer doesn't allow this download, please contact your IT department to assist with downloading the application.

The pace of today's high-stress workplace can impact your emotional balance, mental wellness and physical health. Organizations characterized as having negative or fear-based cultures often is caused by significant workplace stress. Learn how to create a healthier work environment.

Join this webinar to

• Define what overt and covert bullying are, common bully traits and the role of power in a bullying situation
• Discuss who the bully targets and common traits of people who are targeted
• Understand the current research on what makes companies successful and the role power plays in this equation
• Describe the relationship between bullying and the bottom line and why good employees stay

Click Here to Register  ***

 *** If you receive the message "Preparing the room..." and the room doesn't open within a few seconds, please close out of the browser and click on the URL again—when the browser opens, pick the option "Open in Application." If prompted, please download the Adobe Connect Application. If your employer doesn't allow this download, please contact your IT department to assist with downloading the application.

With the days getting warmer, it's the perfect time to shake off your winter blues and hit refresh. Work-Life is available 24/7 with support and tools to help you tackle all of your spring to-dos so you can relax, revive and refocus. Work-Life can:

• Connect you to home improvement and repair specialists
• Locate summer care, camps and programs that meet your family's needs
• Help you find residential cleaning services in your area, within your budget
• Find moving and relocation resources to help de-stress your move
• Help you plan and prepare for a baby, wedding, move or other major milestone
• Provide savings on thousands of everyday products and services

Getting help online is easy! From webinars, live talks and audio to articles and downloadable guides, Work-Life provides insights and information to help warm up your winter. Call your program or go online to get started!

Presenter:         Joy Braunlich

Join this pre-recorded webinar:

*** If you receive the message "Preparing the room..." and the room doesn't open within a few seconds, please close out of the browser and click on the URL again—when the browser opens, pick the option "Open in Application." If prompted, please download the Adobe Connect Application. If your employer doesn't allow this download, please contact your IT department to assist with downloading the application.

Join this pre-recorded webinar to:

• Discover the many benefits of mindfulness
• Discuss various practices and programs
• Learn how to incorporate mindfulness in your day to day life
• Experience the power of being present

  http://magellanhealth.adobeconnect.com/p7kjujz6ny4o/ ***

*** If you receive the message "Preparing the room..." and the room doesn't open within a few seconds, please close out of the browser and click on the URL again—when the browser opens, pick the option "Open in Application." If prompted, please download the Adobe Connect Application. If your employer doesn't allow this download, please contact your IT department to assist with downloading the application.

Beginning January 1, 2020, TRAIL MAPD enrollees will be able to receive a $2,500 per hearing instrument and related services benefit every 24 months for ALL individuals (not just those who are 65 and older), when a hearing care professional prescribes a hearing instrument.  Be sure to contact your health plan for additional details.

Look for additional information regarding active employee and non-MAPD retiree hearing benefit coverage which will be provided closer to the FY21 Benefit Choice enrollment period next May.
Recording of TRAIL Seminar is now available.

The TRAIL MAPD Open Enrollment period begins October 15 and runs through November 15, 2018. Online or phone enrollment can only be processed during that time period. The effective date of the new plan will be January 1, 2019. You should receive your TRAIL MAPD Decision Guide for Plan Year 2019 in the mail by the first week of October (2018). If you are currently enrolled in TRAIL MAPD, and wish to keep your coverage as is, you do not need to do anything. However, if you wish to make any changes to your current TRAIL MAPD coverage, contact MyBenefits (toll-free) 844-251-1777 or MyBenefits.illinois.gov.  However, no elections can be made prior to October 15. 

• The Affordable Care Act requires issuers of insurance and some employers to send Forms 1095-B and 1095-C to members.  A list of Frequently Asked Questions has been compiled for those who are anticipating these forms.  07/20/17
• In January 2011, the Affordable Care Act established an income related monthly adjustment amount (IRMAA) under the Part D program (prescription portion of Medicare) which is known as Part D-IRMAA.  02/21/14
• A website has been created which contains information regarding the Kanerva Health Insurance Refund class action, including case filings, notices, important dates and more.  Additionally, the website includes information on who to contact with any questions or to obtain additional information relating to the Kanerva case. 02/03/15
• Beginning with the October benefit month, the premium that a Medicare-eligible retiree, annuitant or survivor pays for the Medicare Advantage with Prescription Drug (MAPD) plan will change from 2% of their annuity to 0% of their annuity.  Individuals with less than 20 years of service are responsible for an additional amount which is calculated based upon the cost of the selected coverage.  10/05/14
• Beginning the week of July 7, 2014, the State of Illinois began sending out a letter to all plan participants who are enrolled in the TRAIL program (the TRAIL program consists of State-sponsored Medicare Advantage with Prescription Drug plans: UnitedHealthcare, Humana, and Coventry Advantra).  This letter is informational only, and as such, there is no action required.  It explains what could happen if a State of Illinois plan participant enrolls in another Medicare plan.  Enrollment into another Medicare plan means enrollment into a different Medicare Advantage Plan or a different Medicare Part D plan.  The federal government will not allow someone to be in more than one Medicare Advantage Plan or Medicare Part D plan at a time; therefore, any subsequent enrollment into one of these types of plans will cause your enrollment in the State-sponsored Medicare Advantage Plan to be terminated.  07/16/14
• Attention Retirees and Survivors Newly-Eligible for the State-sponsored Medicare Advantage Plans: UnitedHealthcare mailed a book of plan information entitled, “2015 Plan Guide” to all newly-eligible members as well as all TRAIL members enrolled in a Medicare Advantage HMO plan. The book was part of an envelope of marketing materials sent by UHC on October 2, 2014. On page 59 of the book is a page entitled “Enrollment Instructions”. This page states that the member does not need to complete an Enrollment Request Form. This statement is INCORRECT. State of Illinois group insurance members who are eligible for the State’s Medicare Advantage plans through TRAIL for the first time (most of whom turned age 65 within the past year) DO need to return the State’s Medicare Advantage ‘TRAIL’ enrollment form. Members should look for the TRAIL enrollment form in an enrollment kit being mailed from the Department of Central Management Services October 9, 2014. Members currently enrolled in one of the TRAIL plans who do not wish to change their MAPD plan do not need to complete the enrollment form. 10/08/14

• The TRAIL Open Enrollment Period will be October 15 through November 15, 2014. Enrollment kits will be mailed October 9th to members eligible for TRAIL Medicare Advantage coverage. Informational seminars will be held state-wide to give eligible members an opportunity to learn more about the plans offered by the State. The 2014 Seminar Schedule provides a list of the dates, times and locations of the seminars. 10/06/14

• Beginning July 2014, the premium that a Medicare eligible retiree, annuitant or survivor pays for the Medicare Advantage with Prescription Drug (MAPD) plan will change from 1% of their annuity to 2% of their annuity.  Individuals with less than 20 years of service are responsible for an additional amount which is calculated based upon the cost of the selected coverage.  Refer to the Premiums link below for more information.  07/25/14
• If you are a Medicare retiree who received a Welcome Letter from UnitedHealthcare, please be advised that you will not be billed directly by UnitedHealthcare for your premiums.  Your monthly premium contribution will continue to be deducted the same way it is currently being deducted.  12/27/13
• Central Management Services, Group Insurance Division, has been receiving a number of questions from retirees regarding their ability to move between original Medicare and a Medicare Advantage plan.  This Medicare Tip Sheet, produced by federal Medicare, outlines the general requirements for an individual to move between these types of plans.  11/06/13
• The seminar in Normal on November 26 has been moved to a new location and will now be held at the Astroth Community Education Center Auditorium at Heartland Community College.  See the updated TRAIL Seminar Schedule.  11/20/13
• A new seminar location was added to the TRAIL Seminar Schedule for November 24 at Blackburn College in Carlinville.  This will be a 3:00 p.m. session only.  11/20/13
• A new seminar location was added to the TRAIL Seminar Schedule for November 18 at the Vineyard Church in Urbana.  This will be a 10:00 a.m. session only.  11/17/13
• A new seminar location was added to the TRAIL Seminar Schedule for December 11 at the Midwest Palliative and Hospice CareCenter in Glenview. 11/13/13
• Two new seminar locations were added to the TRAIL Seminar Schedule for November 16. Locations in Buffalo Grove and another in Grayslake were added. 11/12/13
• A new seminar location was added to the TRAIL Seminar Schedule for December 9 at the Oak Park Public Library in Oak Park. 11/07/13
• A new seminar location was added to the TRAIL Seminar Schedule for November 14 at the Hope Evangelical Church in Springfield. 11/05/13
• A new seminar location was added to the TRAIL Seminar Schedule for November 27 at the DoubleTree Suites in Downers Grove. 11/04/13
• A new seminar location was added for December 3 at Kaskaskia College in Centralia to the TRAIL Seminar Schedule. 10/30/13
• NEW!!  The fall Open Enrollment Period start date is November 12, 2013, and ends December 13, 2013.  For a preview of the plan design of each Medicare Advantage plan offered, as well as the information you will be receiving regarding the fall Open Enrollment Period, review the TRAIL Decision Guide. This guide, along with the TRAIL Seminar Schedule, will be included in your enrollment kit which you should receive in the mail the week of November 11th. 10/29/13