Health insurance - Form 1095-B

Form 1095-B contains information to prove that you (and any covered dependents) had medical coverage in the last calendar year (January – December). If you had medical coverage through the Texas Employees Group Benefits Program (GBP), your GBP health plan provider or, if you’re enrolled in Medicare, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) will send this information to the IRS electronically. You no longer need to provide the IRS with a copy of Form 1095-B during tax season, but the form is available to you if you want it.

  • If you had medical coverage through the GBP, you can get your Form 1095-B online through your Blue Access for MembersSM account.
  • Or, you can request a paper copy be mailed to you by calling your health plan provider. Go to question 4 for health plan provider contact information.

Every current or former State of Texas employee and retiree who had medical coverage through the GBP during the calendar year (January 1 – December 31) will have Form 1095-B made available to them online by their GBP health plan provider. If you want a paper copy of your Form 1095-B to keep with your tax or insurance records, you must contact your GBP health plan provider or Medicare, if you were enrolled in a Medicare plan. ERS cannot provide you a copy of your Form 1095-B. Go to question 4 for GBP health plan provider contact information. 

All covered dependents will be included on your form; there is not a separate Form 1095-B for each of your dependents.

If anyone reported as covered by GBP medical coverage on Form 1095-B files a separate income tax return or is listed as a dependent on another person’s income tax return, the GBP member is responsible for providing copies of Form 1095-B to the person filing the tax return for that dependent.

If you were enrolled in a Medicare plan, CMS will send the IRS proof of your medical coverage electronically. You do not need this form to file your federal income tax return. If you want a copy of Form 1095-B from Medicare to keep with your tax and insurance records, you must call Medicare and request they mail you a copy.
 
Go to question 4 for health plan provider information.

No, your health plan provider will send this information to the IRS electronically.

If you want a paper copy of your Form 1095-B, you must call your health plan provider and request they mail a copy to you.

  • Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Texas: (800) 252-8039 (TTY: 711), Monday – Friday, 7 a.m. – 7 p.m., CT and Saturday, 7 a.m. – 3 p.m., CT
  • The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS): (800) MEDICARE or (800) 633-4227 (TTY: (877) 486-2048)

If you participated in a GBP health plan during the last calendar year (January – December) and were not enrolled in Medicare, you can get a copy of Form 1095-B through your Blue Access for Members account or request a paper copy from your GBP health plan provider.

If you were enrolled in a Medicare plan and want a copy of your Form 1095-B, you must contact Medicare.

Go to question 4 for health plan provider contact information.

People enrolled in the HealthSelectSM Medicare Advantage Plan administered by UnitedHealthcare will not get a separate Form 1095-B from that plan.

If you also had coverage under TRICARE, TRICARE will make Form 1095-B available to you upon request.

You can expect Form 1095-B to be available from your GBP health plan provider by mid-March through your Blue Access for Members account or by mail, if requested. If you had GBP medical coverage in the last year and can’t get Form 1095-B online by mid-March, please call your GBP health plan provider directly. Go to question 4 for health plan provider contact information.

Each GBP provider will report medical coverage for each month of your enrollment in its medical plan to the IRS. Every medical coverage provider that covered you (and any dependents) for at least one day is required to make Form 1095-B available to you by mid-March through your Blue Access for Members account or by mail if you request a paper copy from your GBP health plan provider. Go to question 4 for GBP health plan provider contact information if you can’t get your form online by mid-March.
 
You do not need to report additional benefits such as dental, vision, life, accidental death and dismemberment (AD&D), or short-term or long-term disability coverage to the federal government. Form 1095-B only includes medical insurance.

Your GBP health plan provider will make Form 1095-B available to the person who has medical coverage for the dependent, even if that person does not claim the dependent on his or her taxes.

Please make sure your name, Social Security number (SSN), the names and SSNs of any dependents you cover, and your mailing address are correct on your Form 1095-B. If you’re an active employee, contact your benefits coordinator or human resources department to update any incorrect information. If you’re a former employee or retiree, contact ERS to update incorrect information. Once you update the information, contact your GBP health plan provider to see if you need an updated Form 1095-B. Please see question 4 for GBP health plan provider contact information.
 
Providing accurate SSNs on all income and healthcare benefit documentation is the best way to ensure your employer and GBP health plan provider report correct information to the IRS. Your employer or GBP health plan provider is not responsible for incorrect or missing employee or dependent IRS reporting information. It is your responsibility to contact your benefits coordinator, human resources department or ERS for any corrections to your personal information on your Form 1095-B.

Many employers (such as your agency or institution) are required to send Form 1095-C to their employees to verify that the employer offered medical coverage to eligible employees. If you have questions about Form 1095-C, please contact the benefits coordinator or human resources department at your agency or institution.