The State of Illinois TRAIL Medicare Advantage open enrollment period for participating annuitants and survivors is October 15 – November 16, 2020. The 2021 plan year will begin January 1, 2021, and will run through December 31, 2021.

The state of Illinois offers annuitants and survivors a healthcare program called Total Retiree Advantage Illinois (TRAIL). This program provides eligible members and their covered dependents comprehensive medical and prescription drug coverage through Medicare Advantage plans (commonly referred to as “MAPD” plans). The State of Illinois Group Insurance Program also includes vision coverage and optional dental and life insurance coverage.

The TRAIL MAPD enrollment period features a web-based online enrollment platform titled MyBenefits at MyBenefits.illinois.gov. This site streamlines your benefit options into a one-stop shop for your insurance needs. This includes learning more about your current insurance benefits, making enrollment decisions, changing your current coverage and finding contact information for all your plan administrators. How-to-enroll videos are on the site to walk you through the enrollment process.

Members will view and make changes to their coverage through the MyBenefits website at MyBenefits.illinois.gov. Paper enrollment forms will not be provided. Members will access this website by using the ID assigned by the Department of Central Management Services (CMS). If a member does not have their ID and wishes to log in, they will be able to retrieve it through the website’s self-authentication process. Members will also have the option to call a customer service representative for further assistance or to enroll over the phone, Monday – Friday 8:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m. CST, toll free at 1-844-251-1777 or TTY toll free at 1-844-251-1778.

Virtual Informational seminars will be held online at https://cms.illinois.gov/thetrail to give eligible retirees, annuitants and survivors an opportunity to learn and ask questions about the Total Retiree Advantage Illinois (TRAIL) Program. Topics will include eligibility criteria and an explanation of the benefits provided through the Program.

Newly eligible annuitants and survivors, who became eligible for the TRAIL MAPD Program in the past year (became eligible for Medicare between October 2, 2019 and December 31, 2020), should receive a TRAIL Enrollment packet in October. Members should look for the TRAIL logo (as shown above) on the outside of the packet. The packet includes the TRAIL Decision Guide. The guide includes an explanation of the plan options, plan comparison chart, rate chart, county-by-county coverage map, FAQs and contact information for the plan administrators.

Members, who are new to the TRAIL Medicare Advantage plans this year, must select one of the state’s Medicare Advantage plans. Members will remain enrolled in their current state health plan through December 31, 2020. The Medicare Advantage plan the member chooses will start January 1, 2021.

If a member is currently enrolled in one of the TRAIL Medicare Advantage plans, their enrollment will continue – they do not need to do anything unless they want to make a change. If members want to make a change to their current Medicare Advantage health plan election, or change dental, life or dependent coverage, they may do so by accessing the MyBenefits website or contacting their service center. Members will also be sent a TRAIL flyer outlining this year’s benefits.

Click a link for more information.

College Insurance Program TRAIL Decision Guide

View a Map of Medicare Advantage Plans by County

State of Illinois Group Insurance Program TRAIL Decision Guide

View a Map of Medicare Advantage Plans by County

Coventry Advantra (An Aetna Company) – a Medicare Advantage HMO Plan855-223-4807
www.aetna-coventryretiree.com/soi
Health Alliance Plan – a Medicare Advantage HMO Plan877-795-6131
www.healthalliance.org/soi
Humana Employer Medicare Plan – a Medicare Advantage HMO Plan800-951-0125
www.humana.com/soi
United Healthcare – a nationwide Medicare Advantage PPO888-223-1092
www.uhcretiree.com/soi

Members needing assistance with their enrollment should call the MyBenefits service center at 1-844-251-1777 or TDD/TTY toll-free at 1-844-251-1778.

Members may also access information directly from the Department of Central Management Services (CMS) website.

SURS will continue to post up-to-date information on our website as we receive it from CMS. Please read the information provided by CMS carefully.

Complete program information for both the College Insurance (CIP) and the State Employees’ Group Health Program is available on the MyBenefits website at www.MyBenefits.illinois.gov.