Welcome to your Employee Benefit Hub! Click on a benefit to learn more.
Medical
Your medical coverage is provided by BlueCross BlueShield of Illinois. Get information about your health benefits, find in-network providers, review past claims, and more using the secure member website: Blue Access for Members (BAM). Make sure to download the mobile app for easy access while on the go.
Summary of Benefits and Coverage (SBCs):
To find a provider that is in-network, use the BCBSIL Provider Finder website.
What to think about regarding plan options
- Provider availability - Will you be able to visit the doctors, hospitals and other facilities you want to
- Your costs - How much is going to come out of your paycheck every month? What about the whole year?
- Benefit payments - How much will you have to pay out of your pocket for your medical expenses?
- Medical services - Consider your health status and services you expect to use during the year. What has your experience been in the past years?
PPO
In-network provider advantages:
- Receive the highest level of benefits and potentially pay less for care
- Protection from billing over the allowed amounts (balance billing)
- No claim forms (provider files claim)
- No referrals required
- No requirement to select a PCP
- Access to a national PPO network
Out-of-network provider drawbacks:
You do have coverage, but:
- You pay a greater share of the costs
- You may receive fewer benefits out-of-network
- You may need to file your own claims
- You may be billed for charges over the allowed amount (balance billing)
CDHP
Plan advantages:
- Same network access as PPO
- No referrals required
- HSA contributions are tax-free
- An HSA allows you to accumulate a balance of funds year over year
- Employee premium contributions typically lower than the PPO
- Once deductible and out-of-pocket maximums are satisfied, all benefits including pharmacy will be paid at 100%
Plan disadvantages:
- Higher deductible than a PPO
- The deductible must be met before benefits are available for non-preventive services
HMOI Overview
- Each covered employee and dependent(s) choose a Primary Care Physician (PCP) from participating Medical Groups/IPAS
- Female members may also choose an OB-GYN (must have a referral arrangement with the member's PCP)
- Your PCP will coordinate your covered health care services and provide specialist referrals when appropriate
- Out-of-network coverage on the HMO plan is available in case of emergency
- For urgent care you will need a referral from your PCP
- You may change medical groups by calling BCBSIL customer service
- Changes can be made up until the last day of the month for an effective date of the first of the following month
- For example: Make changes by January 31st for an effective date of February 1st
- Changes can be made up until the last day of the month for an effective date of the first of the following month
Pharmacy
Prime Therapeutics is the retail and mail-order vendor (90-day supply) for enrolled members. Your medical ID card also serves as your prescription ID card. To find a participating retail pharmacy or for more information, log in to BlueAccess for Members and click on the Prescription Drugs link or visit myprime.com.
Dental
Your dental coverage is provided by MetLife. Dental insurance helps pay for dental care and includes regular checkups, cleanings and x-rays.
Customer Service: 1-800-942-0854
Network: PDP Plus
Group # 166506-1-G
Vision
The district offers vision coverage through VSP. Vision insurance can help you maintain your vision as well as detect various health problems. Our policy covers routine eye exams and other procedures and provides specified dollar amounts or discounts for the purchase of eyeglasses and contact lenses.
Customer Support: 800-877-7195
Network: VSP Choice
Plan Number: 12198663
Flexible Spending Accounts & Health Savings Accounts
The district's Flexible Spending Accounts and Health Savings Accounts are offered through Further. These accounts are available for employees who work at least 5 hours per week.
Customer Support: 800-859-2144
Flexible Spending Account (FSA) Overview
The medical Flexible Spending Account (FSA) is available to employees enrolled in the PPO or HMO plans or not enrolled in the medical plans.
- An FSA allows you to put aside money tax-free that can be used for qualified medical expenses
- Since your taxable income is decreased by your contributions, you will pay less in taxes
- You can use your FSA funds at any time in full - even if it's the beginning of the year
- If you do not use the funds in your account by the end of the year, you will use it*
- *The district does allow you to carry over up to $570 a year for the following plan year
Dependent Care Flexible Spending Account (DCFSA) Overview
Dependent Care Flexible Spending Account (DCFSA) allows you to contribute pre-tax dollars to be used for qualified dependent care. A qualifying dependent may be a child under age 13, a disabled spouse, or an older parent in eldercare and can be used for services such as a daycare, preschool and before or after school programs.
The Dependent Care FSA is available to all employees who work at least 5 hours per week, regardless of medical plan. DCFSA does not impact your HSA eligibility.
2023 FSA Limits:
- Medical FSA: $2,850
- Dependent Care FSA: $5,000 per household or $2,500 if married, filing separately
Health Savings Account (HSA) Overview
The Health Savings Account (HSA) is ONLY available to employees enrolled in CDHP. An HSA is an individually owned, portable, tax-advantaged account that only eligible individuals may establish. An HSA is exclusively for paying qualified medical expenses.
- You own the account
- There is no "use it or lose it" rules - you keep the funds in your account if you leave the district or change plans
- Balances remaining in your account at year end roll over to the following year
- Accounts can earn interest and be invested (over a minimum balance)
- You will only have access to the amount that is in your account at the time of a claim - but you can save your receipt and repay yourself with funds contributed later in the year
To be an eligible individual and qualify for an HSA you:
- Must be enrolled in an HSA-compatible High Deductible Health Plan
- May not have other types of insurance with first-dollar medical coverage
- May not be claimed as a dependent on another person's tax return
- May not be enrolled in Medicare
- An individual can be Medicare-eligible and have an HSA. However, once enrolled in Medicare, contributions to the HSA account must stop. The individual can keep any funds in the account prior to enrolling in Medicare and use those funds to pay for qualified medical expenses tax-free.
2023 HSA Limits:
- $3,850 for single
- $7,750 for family
Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
The Employee Assistance Program (EAP) is provided by Magellan Healthcare. This convenient, confidential and free program offers services to help you and your household members resolve daily challenges and manage more complex issues.
Explore services
- Counseling – Help for challenges such as anxiety, grief, depression, relationships and more. Meet with a counselor in-person, by text message, live chat, phone or video.
- Lifestyle Coaching – Set, define and reach your goals with the help of a coach. Receive individualized support to handle work stress, parenting, weight loss and more.
- Digital emotional wellbeing program – Interactive activities and education for overall wellbeing. Get help managing anxiety, stress, depression, pain, sleep, alcohol, drug misuse or recovery and more.
- Work-Life web services – Find resources for child care, elder care, discounts and more.
- Work-Life services – Save time and money with specialists who research service providers in many areas including childcare, adult care, education, home improvement and more.
- Financial wellness, Legal services and Identity theft resolution – Access to free consultations and resources.
- Member website – Get more information on all the services available.
- Use the Provider Search to find care in your area.
- See the latest news on trending topics like building resiliency or managing finances.
- Explore the Discount Center.
- Browse articles, webinar recordings, videos and self-assessments on a wide range of topics including anxiety, child care, depression, elder care, parenting, relationships, stress management, substance misuse, work-life balance and so much more.
Key features
- You do not need to enroll. The EAP is available to you and your household members at no cost.
- Services are completely confidential and provided by a third party.
- You can call anytime 24/7/365, and the EAP will help get you on the right path to meet your needs.
Get Started Today
Contact Information: 1-800-424-4039 (TTY 711)
Life/Accidental Death & Dismemberment (AD&D) Plans
The Standard provides the district's basic and voluntary life benefits.
Basic Life:
Life insurance can help provide for your loved ones if something were to happen to you. The district provides full-time employees with group life and accidental death and dismemberment (AD&D) insurance in the amounts below.
| Coverage | Administrators | Educational Support Professionals (SCESP), Exempt and Confidential Employees & Transportation and Maintenance (SCT&M) | Certified Teachers (SCEA), OTPT (SCEA), Mid-Valley Certified Teachers (MVSEA), Mid-Valley Non-Certified Support Staff (MVSEA) |
| Life/AD&D Benefit |
2x Annual Earning Rounded up to next $1,000 |
Flat $30,000 | Flat $25,000 |
| Life/AD&D Maximum | $400,000 | N/A | N/A |
Voluntary Life:
While the district offers basic life insurance, some employees may want to purchase additional coverage. Depending on your needs, you may want to consider buying supplemental coverage.
| Voluntary Life/AD&D Coverage Highlights | |
| Life/AD&D Maximum |
Employee: $200,000 Spouse: $150,000 Child(ren) under age 26: $10,000 |
| Guarantee Issue Amount |
Employee: $150,000 Spouse: $50,000 Note: If you enroll when first offered, you receive up to the listed amount without having to answer medical questions. |
Telemedicine
MDLive is available to all employees on either the district's PPO or CDHP plan.
MDLive can be a great alternative to visiting your normal doctor or urgent care when you are suffering from one of many common, non-emergency medical conditions. With 24/7/365 access to U.S. board-certified doctors, you can access medical care for only a small copay amount, from home or on the road—and in some cases, doctors can write a prescription to a local pharmacy near you.*
Phone: 888-676-4204
Online: MDLIVE.com/bcbsil
*Prescription services may not be available in all states.
Livongo Diabetes Managment Program
Livongo is a diabetes program provided by BCBS to support individuals diagnosed with type 1 or type 2 diabetes and is avaialble to employees on the district's PPO or CDHP plan. The program team works with you to provide a personalized plan so you can live your healthiest life possible.
To enroll, visit join.livongo.com/BCBSIL-HEALTH/hi or call 800-945-4355 and use the registration code: BCBS-HEALTH
Click here for more information.
Part-Time Employee Benefits
Part-time employees of the district are eligible for flexible spending accounts (FSA), voluntary life and AD&D, NCPERS, and takealong dental coverage.
MetLife TakeAlong Dental Coverage Overview
NCPERS Life Insurance Overview
Please see corresponding tabs for additional information for voluntary life and FSA coverage.