A law signed in August of 2018 allows TRS members and their dependents (who are eligible) re-enrollment opportunities “during any applicable annual open enrollment period” set up by the Illinois Department of Central Management Services (CMS), which administers the Teachers’ Retirement Insurance Program (TRIP) and the Total Retiree Advantage Illinois (TRAIL) Medicare Advantage Program.

Historically, the open enrollment period for TRIP is in the spring of each year. The open enrollment period for TRAIL is in the fall of each year.

Under the old law, if a TRS member or their dependents disenrolled out of TRIP or TRAIL for any reason, they were not allowed to re-enroll, except in very limited circumstances.

Re-enrollment Opportunities for TRAIL

In addition to the annual Open Enrollment Period, members previously enrolled who are eligible for TRAIL can re-enroll anytime during the year. Coverage will be effective the first of the month following the enrollment request.

Members may enroll if they have:

• 8 years of TRS service credit
• Medicare Parts A and B
• A U.S. (or U.S. territory) residential address on file

Members who want to re-enroll in TRAIL must contact MyBenefits and complete the enrollment process.  Members may contact the MyBenefits Service center via phone at 844-251-1777.