Join us on Wednesday, May 28th, 1-3pm, in the Student Rec Center lobby to wish Kevin a happy retirement!

IGP #2 - Annuitant and Emeritus Resources and Services, IGP #46 - Grades and IGP #173 - Discrimination Complaint Procedures (Non-Title IX Sexual Harassment Complaints) were recently updated with approval by the President. Please take time to review the changes to these policies.

A reminder that this summer from May 12 through July 21, the Gregg Technology Center will be closed for some minor reorganization, time for the technicians to do lab and classroom maintenance, inventory, and continuing the refresh cycle project. 

To schedule a time to meet with a technician either call the Helpdesk (217-581- 4357), reach out via support@eiu.edu, to create a proper ticket as the best way to create an appointment. 

Good luck, have a great week, and it was wonderful to work beside you all semester.

Chad Elliott ~ ITS @ Gregg Technology Center

University Food Court – Summer Hours Starting May 14

Beginning May 14, the University Food Court will operate on summer hours:

• Open Monday–Thursday: 7:30 AM – 3:00 PM

• Closed Friday–Sunday

Please note: The Food Court will also be closed on Memorial Day.

Want to give your emails a professional, EIU-branded look? You can create an official Eastern Illinois University email signature using our custom generator!

Add your photo, contact information, website link and even a link to schedule appointments (if you use a scheduling tool like Calendly or Microsoft Bookings).

Get started here: go.eiu.edu/signature

Annual Open Enrollment for State Employees group insurance plans is May 1 - June 2, 2025.  

STUDENT INSURANCE WAIVER

Student Insurance provides the student worldwide protection, 24 hours a day. The Plan has a $100 deductible per diagnosis and pays up to 70% of eligible expenses for physician and hospital expenses, lab and x-ray, surgery, ambulance transport, physical therapy, maternity expenses, mental health and substance abuse issues. The Student Insurance plan also covers prescriptions at the Health Services on campus.                                       

Unlike an HMO or PPO, the Plan does not have a network, giving students a choice in their care and provides coverage for treatment the student receives while they are at home, at school, and wherever they may travel. When you have other insurance, the Plan coordinates with the primary carrier. Student Insurance is an economical way to reduce or eliminate out-of-pocket expenses when family health plans do not cover 100% of medical costs because of deductibles, co-payment amounts, limitations on specific benefits, and out-of-network penalties. The Student Insurance Plan complements the family health plan. Most students find it beneficial to carry both, particularly if the family plan has a deductible and/or coinsurance.

You can find more information about the Plan at www.eiu.edu/studentinsurance or by contacting our office at 217-581-5290. There are 2 short videos on the website that do a nice job of explaining all about the Plan.

The Summer 2025 Student Insurance fee will be automatically assessed to students enrolled in an on-campus program taking 9 or more hours; graduate assistants under contract to the University; and international students enrolled in an on-campus program taking 3 or more hours.

Students wishing to waive the Student Insurance Plan must complete the Waiver Form available in their PAWS account, under the MyHealth tab. The deadline to waive coverage for the Summer 2025 semester is May 28, 2025.

Do you need Student Insurance coverage for Summer?

Student Insurance is available for the Summer 2025 term. The coverage effective dates are 5/12/2025-8/17/2025. The cost for the coverage is $95.40.

Students who are insured in Spring 2025 who desire Summer coverage and will not be enrolled in the Summer Term, may obtain coverage by submitting the Summer 2025 Enrollment Form available in their PAWS account, under the MyHealth tab prior to 5/12/25.

Students who enroll for 5 or more hours for the Summer Term may obtain coverage by submitting the Summer 2025  Enrollment Form available in their PAWS account, under the MyHealth tab prior to 5/28/25. Coverage is effective upon receipt of the enrollment form.

Student Insurance provides the student worldwide protection 24 hours a day.  The Plan has a $100 deductible per diagnosis and pays up to 70% of eligible expenses for physician and hospital expenses, lab and x-ray, surgery, ambulance transport, physical therapy, maternity expenses, mental health and substance abuse issues. The Student Insurance Plan also reduces copays for prescription medications at the Health Services on campus. 

Unlike an HMO or PPO, the Plan does not have a network, giving students a choice in their care and provides coverage for treatment the student receives while they are at home, at school, and wherever they may travel. 

Student Insurance is an economical way to reduce or eliminate out-of-pocket expenses when family health plans do not cover 100% of medical costs because of deductibles, co-payment amounts, limitations on specific benefits, and out-of-network penalties.  The Student Insurance Plan complements the family health plan.  Most students find it beneficial to carry both, particularly if the family plan has a deductible and/or coinsurance.

You can find more information about the Plan at www.eiu.edu/studentinsurance or by contacting our office at 217-581-5290. There are 2 short videos on the website that do a nice job of explaining all about the Plan.

As you may already be aware, Health Alliance will be discontinuing its health insurance plans on December 31, 2025. The HR and Benefits Office staff at Eastern Illinois University (EIU) want to ensure you are fully informed regarding the transition, and to detail next steps for those who may be impacted.

EIU has recently received guidance from Central Management Systems (CMS) on how employees will need to proceed with this change. CMS has determined that the relationship with Health Alliance will be terminated effective July 1, 2025. Consequently, during the upcoming Open Enrollment period, ALL current Health Alliance enrollees must select a new health plan or opt out of coverage between May 1, 2025, and June 2, 2025. If affected employees fail to make this change, they will be automatically enrolled into the highest premium plan, Quality Care Health Plan.

If you wish to continue with an HMO plan, CMS offers several other HMO options from which to choose. Additionally, there are Open Access Plans (OAP), which include both HMO and PPO coverage options, as well as traditional PPO policies. Information about the 2026 Benefits Choice period will be available at https://www.eiu.edu/humanres/benefits/healthinsurance.php once CMS has published the materials. 

In preparation for this transition, the Benefits Office will be offering informational sessions before May 1 to help employees understand their options and the enrollment process. These sessions will provide valuable information to help in  making informed decisions when Open Enrollment begins May 1. The enrollment process will be conducted online through MyBenefits*.
*NOTE: If you have never logged in before or need assistance, please attend one of these sessions where EIU can walk you through the process and provide guidance on ensuring your current healthcare providers remain in-network with the plan you select.

Please keep an eye on your email and the EIU Newsletter for additional details regarding the informational sessions.

If you have any immediate questions or concerns, please reach out to the Benefits Office. We are here to help and to assist you through this transition.

CALL: (217) 581-5825

EMAIL: benefits@eiu.edu