5 ILCS 375/6.9 — Illinois Code / Chapter 5 / Act 375 / Section 6.9
Section 6.9
Status: in_force

(5 ILCS 375/6.9) Sec. 6.9. Health benefits for community college benefit recipients and community college dependent beneficiaries. (a) Purpose. It is the purpose of this amendatory Act of 1997 to establish a uniform program of health benefits for community college benefit recipients and their dependent beneficiaries under the administration of the Department of Central Management Services. (b) Creation of program. Beginning July 1, 1999, the Department of Central Management Services shall be responsible for administering a program of health benefits for community college benefit recipients and community college dependent beneficiaries under this Section. The State Universities Retirement System and the boards of trustees of the various community college districts shall cooperate with the Department in this endeavor. (c) Eligibility. All community college benefit recipients and community college dependent beneficiaries shall be eligible to participate in the program established under this Section, without any interruption or delay in coverage or limitation as to pre-existing medical conditions. Eligibility to participate shall be determined by the State Universities Retirement System. Eligibility information shall be communicated to the Department of Central Management Services in a format acceptable to the Department. Eligible community college benefit recipients may enroll or re-enroll in the program of health benefits established under this Section during any applicable annual open enrollment period and as otherwise permitted by the Department of Central Management Services. A community college benefit recipient shall not be deemed ineligible to participate solely by reason of the community college benefit recipient having made a previous election to disenroll or otherwise not participate in the program of health benefits. (d) Coverage. The health benefit coverage provided under this Section shall be a program of health, dental, and vision benefits. The program of health benefits under this Section may include any or all of the benefit limitations, including but not limited to a reduction in benefits based on eligibility for federal Medicare benefits, that are provided under subsection (a) of Section 6 of this Act for other health benefit programs under this Act. (e) Insurance rates and premiums. The Director shall determine the insurance rates and premiums for community college benefit recipients and community college dependent beneficiaries and shall present to the State Universities Retirement System, by April 15 of each calendar year, the rate-setting methodology (including, but not limited to, utilization levels and costs) used to determine the insurance rates and premiums. Rates and premiums may be based in part on age and eligibility for federal Medicare coverage. The Director shall also determine premiums that will allow for the establishment of an actuarially sound reserve for this program. The cost of health benefits under the program shall be paid as follows: (1) For a community college benefit recipient, up to 75% of the total insurance rate