Benefit Choice time to make insurance changes

UIC employees can change health and dental plans and enroll in flexible spending accounts through June 2 during the Benefit Choice period.

All employee and dependent health insurance, dental and life insurance premiums remain unchanged from the current plan year, which ends June 30.

Deductibles and copayments for some services covered by the managed care and Quality Care plans have changed.

Employees can view plan information and make changes through NESSIE, the university’s human resources website.

All changes will be effective July 1.

The grace period for the Medical Care Assistance Plan will be eliminated for fiscal year 2015, but remaining balances of $500 or less will carry over to the next plan year.

The current plan allows participants to submit reimbursement claims during a grace period that extends from July 1 to Sept. 15. The grace period remains in effect for the current fiscal year, allowing participants to submit claims through Sept. 15.

Employees with dependents covered by their plan must undergo a dependent eligibility verification audit. Employees will be asked to provide documents for their dependents, such as birth certificates and marriage licenses.

“If during the audit an employee is found to be covering an ineligible dependent, the employee may be subject to a financial penalty, including but not limited to repayment of all premiums the state of Illinois made on behalf of the employee as well as expenses incurred by the program,” said James Davito, executive director of university payroll and benefits.

All changes during the Benefit Choice period — the only time employees can make adjustments without qualifying events such as childbirth or marriage — must be made through NESSIE.

For more information, call 312-996-6471.