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TRIP Latest News Archives

LATEST NEWS - Archived

  • March – Colorectal Cancer Awareness

    Big ones, small ones, everyone's got one.  We're talking about bums, bottoms and buttocks.  It's true, and it's important that you take care of yours.  This March, we are focusing on Colorectal Cancer Awareness, because colorectal cancer is the fourth common type of cancer in the US.  There are more than 100,000 new cases each year. But with early detection more than half of those deaths could be prevented.  Typically, it's not necessary to participate in colorectal cancer screenings until the age of fifty. But early detection can help to ward off the disease before it even has a chance to turn into a serious condition. Remember to remind your loved ones to get screened because that screening has the potential of saving lives. For more information, contact your plan provider.

    Colorectal Cancer awareness month.jpg PHMKGN20-SOIcolonhealthdd-0120.png Beyond Colonoscopies – 3 Tests to Catch Colorectal Cancer colon health blog- March.pdf

    • Health Alliance's blog is a trusted source of wellness information for our members – and for people throughout the State of Illinois. Among our regular articles, we feature a monthly piece https://blog.healthalliance.org/ dedicated to the State's current wellness topic.

    • Health Alliance created this short educational video to answer the most common questions our members have. Our guest this month is Dr. Robert Good, DO, Chief Medical Officer at Health Alliance.

      https://vimeo.com/391255100/22c6711f65

      For more wellness tools, tips and resources visit HealthAlliance.org/Wellness.

     

    Employees
    Embracing differences

    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.

     

    Managers

    Developing a culture of kindness

    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.

    Bullying in a Team Environment and the Effects on the Bottom Line │ Wednesday, March 25

    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.

     

    Work-Life For Employees & Managers

    Ring In Your Spring

    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!

     

     

     

    Transform Your Thoughts for Weight Loss Success (HWWL)

    Presenter:         Joy Braunlich

    Join this pre-recorded webinar: http://magellanhealth.adobeconnect.com/pk6xa3baxcz7/ or https://magellanhealth.adobeconnect.com/_a825364167/pk6xa3baxcz7/?launcher=false&fcsContent=true&pbMode=normal

     

    *** 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.

    Mindfulness: The Life-Changing Practice for Living a Happier, Healthier Life │

    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

        https://magellanhealth.adobeconnect.com/_a825364167/p7kjujz6ny4o/?launcher=false&fcsContent=true&pbMode=normal ***

      *** 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.

     

     

     

    Hearing Instrument and Related Services Benefit

    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.
    (10/23/2019)
     
     
    Recording of TRAIL Seminar is now available.
    (10/25/2019)
     
     

     

     

    On August 22, 2018, SB 3046 was signed into law by Governor Bruce Rauner, amending legislation to allow former TRIP members and dependents who previously opted-out of their health benefits plan, to be allowed to opt-back-in during an open enrollment period or other qualifying enrollment opportunity.  This law is effective immediately. 
    • For Medicare-eligible members, your next Open Enrollment opportunity is October 15 - November 15.
    • For non-MAPD members, your next Open Enrollment opportunity will be during the month of May.
    • Please refer to the Teacher's Retirement Insurance Program (TRIP) Handbook for qualifying enrollment opportunities.

    SB3046:  http://ilga.gov/legislation/publicacts/fulltext.asp?Name=100-1017
    (08/23/2018)

     

     

    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.   08/10/2018
  • 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.  02/09/16
  • 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 the Part D-IRMAA. 02/21/14
  • 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
  • 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.  PLEASE NOTE:  TRIP enrollees who cancel coverage with the State are ineligible to re-enroll in the program in the future unless they lose their other coverage for reasons other than voluntary termination or nonpayment of premium.  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