The State of Illinois TRAIL Medicare Advantage open enrollment period for participating annuitants and survivors is October 15 – November 15, 2021. The 2022 plan year will begin January 1, 2022, and will run through December 31, 2022.
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 http://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.
For members who are newly eligible for Medicare, you have two opportunities for enrollment:
Initial Enrollment (IE): which is offered to all Medicare-eligible retirees and their Medicare-eligible dependents within 60-days of the 65th birthday (of the youngest enrollee). Initial enrollment is a one-time offering.
Open Enrollment (OE): an annual enrollment period held in the fall of each year. This enrollment period is open for Medicare-eligible retirees, survivors and their dependents to change their elections, or for anyone who previously waived or cancelled coverage to re-enroll.
During both opportunities for enrollment (IE & OE), retirees and survivors eligible for the TRAIL MAPD Program will receive a Decision Guide in the mail, notifying them of their eligibility and the requirement to enroll, or waive coverage, during the TRAIL MAPD Open Enrollment Period.
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
2022 CIP TRAIL Program Decision Guide
View a Map of Medicare Advantage Plans by County
2022 CIP TRAIL Map
State of Illinois Group Insurance Program TRAIL Decision Guide
2022 State TRAIL Program Decision Guide
View a Map of Medicare Advantage Plans by County
2022 State TRAIL Map
| Coventry Advantra (An Aetna Company) – a Medicare Advantage HMO Plan | 855-223-4807 www.aetna-coventryretiree.com/soi |
| Health Alliance Plan – a Medicare Advantage HMO Plan | 877-795-6131 www.healthalliance.org/soi |
| Humana Employer Medicare Plan – a Medicare Advantage HMO Plan | 800-951-0125 www.humana.com/soi |
| United Healthcare – a nationwide Medicare Advantage PPO | 888-223-1092 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.