Subject: Information from EIU Benefits Services

Good afternoon,

Eastern Illinois University employees and retirees are currently receiving communications from multiple external sources.  One of the following situations is a scam, but the other two have been confirmed as legitimate.  Please familiarize yourself with the information below in order to protect yourself. 

SCAM:  The State University Retirement System (SURS) has been notified that several of their members have received calls from an outside source asking to set up retirement counseling sessions in their homes.  These calls have occurred in the Central Illinois area.  SURS does not schedule in-home retirement counseling sessions or in-home meetings of any type.  Members may schedule retirement sessions with a SURS counselor at their Champaign or Naperville offices or during one of their on-campus visits via the Member Website.  SURS also offers retirement seminars and webinars.  If you have received an unsolicited call regarding your SURS retirement plan and you suspect fraud, please call SURS at 800-275-7877.

LEGITIMATE:  Central Management Services (CMS) has hired HMS Employer Solutions (HMS), an independent firm, to conduct a Dependent Eligibility Verification Audit (DEVA).  The intent of this audit is to ensure that only eligible dependents are covered under the State Employees Group Insurance Program (SEGIP).  Beginning September 15, HMS mailed letters to each member who has a dependent enrolled in the state insurance plan.  The letter details the steps and documentation required to keep dependents from having their coverage terminated.  Note:  As a result of this audit, dependents enrolled without a valid social security number (SSN) on the Membership system will be terminated if a copy of the SSN card is not submitted to HMS by the due date.  Failure to follow the instructions outlined by HMS could result in loss of coverage for any unverified dependents. 

See here for more details:  
http://www.illinois.gov/cms/Employees/benefits/StateEmployee/Pages/Dependent-Eligibilty-Verification-Audit-%28DEVA%29.aspx

If you still have questions after reviewing the letter and FAQ, you may contact HMS at (855) 596-3354.

LEGITIMATE:  Retirees enrolled in the Medicare Advantage health plans have been contacted by insurance carriers for home visits regarding safety and health issues.  This is part of a federal CMS guideline offering at-home risk assessments during a one-on-one visit with a medical professional.  Retirees are not mandated to accept the offer, no pass or fail score will be given, and the results will not affect premiums.  This is simply a benefit offered to help members receive personalized feedback about their health and environmental safety.