General Questions
What is MyBenefits?
MyBenefits is the state's online system, which will provide self-service tools to assist you with plan enrollment and changes (health, dental, and life insurance, and flexible spending account plans).
Are Benefits Overview Orientation Sessions available for employees that are newly eligible for state benefits?
Yes, University Payroll & Benefits (UPB) offers webinars and registration is available here.
Logging on MyBenefits
How do I login/register as a first time user on MyBenefits?
View CMS – MyBenefits Enrollment Steps for detailed instructions.
How do I login after my initial login/registration?
Once you complete the registration, you will use your CMS-issued Login ID and password to access MyBenefits at MyBenefits.illinois.gov going forward. Your University UIN, NetID, Enterprise ID, or any other University logins and passwords cannot be used.
I forgot my Login ID, how do I retrieve it?
Go to MyBenefits at MyBenefits.illinois.gov and select Login (upper right of screen), select Forgot my login ID and then answer the questions to retrieve your Login ID.
I forgot my password, how do I reset it?
To reset or to recover your password, choose Forgot my Password on the MyBenefits Login page and then answer the questions to reset your password.
Selecting or Making Changes to Your Benefits
What is the enrollment deadline for state benefits?
New state benefit eligible employees have 30 calendar days, from the benefit eligibility date, to make state benefit plan elections.
When should newly state benefit-eligible employees elect their benefits?
Generally, three (3) business days after completing your My Profile Form in UI New Hire, please go to MyBenefits to self-authenticate, register, review your options, and make your plan elections. You will also receive login details from MyBenefits via postal mail or email (depending on your communication preference), however this may take 5 to 10 days after you complete your My Profile form.
Can I change my benefit elections after I select “Submit/Finalize” in MyBenefits?
- Newly Benefits Eligible 30 calendar day enrollment period: No, you may only make one election during this enrollment period. You will not be allowed to revise your State benefit elections, even if you are still within the 30 calendar day enrollment period. Once you select "Submit/Finalize" your benefit elections are final and unchangeable until either the next Benefit Choice period in May, or a qualifying event occurs.
- Benefit Choice: Yes, you may change your elections any time prior to the end of the Benefit Choice period.
- Qualifying Event: No, you may only make one election during the 60 calendar day qualifying event period. You will not be allowed to revise your State benefit elections, even if you are still within the 60 calendar day qualifying event period. Once you select "Submit/Finalize" your benefit elections are final and unchangeable until either the next Benefit Choice period in May, or a new qualifying event occurs.
When will I receive my insurance ID cards?
You will receive ID cards from your insurance plans (e.g., Health Alliance, Delta Dental) approximately 2 to 3 weeks after you made your benefit elections and provided any required documentation.
What happens if I miss my enrollment deadline?
You will default into the Quality Care Health and Dental Plans with no dependent coverage. You will receive a reminder from MyBenefits when you have 10 calendar days remaining in your enrollment election period.
Do I make ALL benefit elections and changes through MyBenefits?
No, only the following state plans:
- Health Insurance
- Dental Insurance
- Life Insurance
- Flexible Spending Account Plans (includes MCAP and DCAP)
- Health Savings Account (HSA)
Which benefit elections are NOT completed in MyBenefits?
The following U of I System benefit plans and the State Deferred Compensation plan enrollments/changes are completed in My UI Info*:
- Accidental Death & Dismemberment (AD&D)
- Long Term Disability (LTD)
- 403(b) Supplemental Retirement Plan
- State Deferred Compensation 457 Plan
- SURS Deferred Compensation 457 Plan
- Optum Financial Account Enrollment for Health Savings Account (HSA)
* Enrollment and changes in these plans can be made at any time.
How do I add or change my State life insurance beneficiary?
View State Life Insurance Beneficiaries for instructions on designating or changing your beneficiary.
How do I complete the Statement of Health if I added life insurance coverage after the guaranteed issue period?
Complete the Statement of Health form available on MyBenefits and mail it to MetLife at the address on the form.
How can I view my State Benefits?
Your State benefits are available on MyBenefits.
Where and how do I submit any required documentation?
Any required documentation for newly benefits eligible employees, benefit choice, or qualifying event changes can be uploaded at MyBenefits.illinois.gov OR mail/fax to the MyBenefits Service Center at the address/fax in the MyBenefits Contact Information below.
- Allowable types are PDF, Word, JPEG, GIF, PNG, BMP or TIFF.
- Upload documents at MyBenefits.illinois.gov, go to the My Benefits box, select Self-Service Tools, then Upload Required Documents and follow the instructions.
If you need assistance, contact the MyBenefits Service Center at the numbers in the MyBenefits Contact Information below.
What is the deadline to submit my documentation?
Your CMS-issued Login ID
What is a CMS-issued Login ID and where can I find my Login ID?
The CMS-issued Login ID is a unique identifier assigned to you by the State of Illinois for benefits purposes. After registering and completing the self-authentication process on MyBenefits, your unique Login ID will be displayed. You will also receive a mailing from MyBenefits that will contain your unique Login ID. Use this number to access your benefits information on MyBenefits.
Offline Benefit Changes to State Benefits
Can I use paper enrollment/change forms for my State insurance benefits?
No, paper enrollment/change forms are not accepted on state insurance benefits plan enrollment/changes.
How do I enroll or make changes if I don’t have access to a computer or the MyBenefits website is unavailable?
Call MyBenefits Service Center or visit a University Payroll & Benefits office for assistance.
- MyBenefits Service Center
Toll-free: 844-251-1777 or TDD/TTY 844-251-1778 Monday – Friday 8am – 6 pm CT
Postal Mail and Email Addresses
How do I change my mailing address?
You must change your mailing address online through the University’s My Profile. Your changes are then transferred to MyBenefits. Note: It may take up to two (2) weeks for the change to be reflected on MyBenefits.
How do I add an email address for my state benefits?
New Employee Process: When completing your My Profile Form in UI New Hire, elect email delivery of your state benefits to receive information about your benefits through email instead of postal mail. This will be the fastest delivery option for your state benefits information.
Current Employee Process: It is recommended that you provide a preferred email address to receive important reminders via email rather than postal mail about:
- Benefit Choice
- Follow-up on qualifying events
- Outstanding documentation needs
Once logged in, go to the My Benefits box, select Self-Service Tools and select Update my email.
Why should I provide an email address for my State benefits?
Email delivery will be the fastest method of receiving information about your state benefits.
How do I change my email address?
You may log on to MyBenefits and change your email address at any time.
How do I confirm the emails I receive from MyBenefits are legitimate and are not phishing emails (i.e., attempts to steal my identity)?
You are encouraged to contact the MyBenefits Service Center to confirm the authenticity of the communication.
Who to Contact For Assistance
When should I contact the MyBenefits Service Center?
Contact MyBenefits for assistance with the following:
- Problems logging in
- Resetting your password
- Advice on state plan options – what plan is best for me
- Health insurance premium, Point of Service costs (copays and coinsurance), out-of-pocket maximums, etc.
- Help verifying enrollment, dependents, documentation
- Help making qualifying event changes
- Understanding insurance plan premiums
- Premium collections and refunds
- Flexible spending account (MCAP and DCAP) enrollment
- Health Savings Account (HSA) enrollment
When should I contact University Payroll & Benefits (UPB)?
Contact UPB for the following:
- Questions about U of I System offered plans.
- University 403(b) Supplemental Retirement Plan
- Long Term Disability (LTD) with Prudential
- Accidental Death & Dismemberment (AD&D) with The Hartford
- Life Insurance with Voya Financial/ReliaStar (closed plan)
- General plan counseling on:
- Basics of health plans (HMO vs OAP vs QCHP vs CDHP vs HSA)
- Basics of dental
- Basics of vision
- Basics of life
- Basics of FSA (MCAP/DCAP)
- Basics of HSA
- Qualifying events
- Requirements
- Deadlines
- Documentation
- Question on a leave of absence
MyBenefits Contact Information
Web Address: MyBenefits.illinois.gov/
Phone: toll-free at 844-251-1777 or TDD/TTY 844-251-1778
Hours: Monday through Friday 8:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m. CT
Fax: 844-676-1725
Mailing Address:
MyBenefits Service Center
134 N. LaSalle Street, Suite 2200
Chicago, IL 60602