Eligibility Requirements

Section 2106.310  Eligibility Requirements Opt out incentive administration shall be in compliance with Section 8(d-5) and (d-6) of the Act and shall: a)         Allow annuitants who elect not to participate in the Health Plan to receive a financial incentive not to exceed $500 per month if all of the following conditions are met: 1)         the annuitant is enrolled in the Health Plan on the effective date of PA 98-0019, at the time of a Special Enrollment Period or subsequent Benefit Choice Periods, or when an Opt Out/In Qualifying Change in Status occurs; 2)         the annuitant is not eligible for and/or receiving benefits under the federal Medicare health insurance program (42 USC 1395 et seq.); and 3)         the annuitant has 20 or more years of creditable service with the State of Illinois. b)         Allow annuitants who elect not to participate in the Health Plan and meet the requirements of subsections (a)(1) and (a)(2) but fail to meet the requirements of subsection (a)(3) to receive a financial incentive not to exceed $150 per month. c)         Provide for a Special Enrollment Period from November 1 through November 30, 2005 for SERS annuitants enrolled in the Health Plan to elect to participate in the opt out incentive.  The opt out incentive elected by SERS annuitants during this Special Enrollment Period will have an effective date of January 1, 2006. d)         Provide that annuitants who previously elected not to participate in the Health Plan may choose to enroll in the Health Plan during the Benefit Choice Period or with an Opt Out/In Qualifying Change in Status.  Once enrolled, they may take advantage of the opt out incentive during a subsequent Benefit Choice Period or with a subsequent Opt Out/In Qualifying Change in Status.  Annuitants will not be permitted to enroll and opt out during the same Benefit Choice Period or based on the same Opt Out/In Qualifying Change in Status.