EIU Media Relations

University Newsletter

Health Alliance - Discontinuation of Health Insurance plans

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