Information iconLearn about negotiations between Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Texas and Baylor Scott & White Health, and how they could affect the HealthSelectSM provider network.

 

Health Benefits for Retirees

Retiree health benefits, offered through the Texas Employees Group Benefits Program (GBP), are available to most State of Texas retirees and their eligible dependents.

Currently, you need at least 10 years of service credit with an agency or higher education institution that participates in the GBP to be eligible for GBP retiree insurance. Health plan options for retirees are based on Medicare enrollment and where the retiree lives. When a retiree becomes eligible for Medicare and enrolls in Medicare Parts A and B, they will need to call ERS to be enrolled in a Medicare Advantage plan and a Part D prescription drug plan.

All health plan options are listed below. Some are available only to retirees enrolled in Medicare. 

Options for Medicare-enrolled retirees

After a retiree enrolls in Medicare Parts A and B, the next step is to call ERS and provide the information on their Medicare card. This will begin the enrollment process into HealthSelectSM Medicare Rx (Part D prescription drug plan), administered by Express Scripts Medicare® (PDP) and, if the retiree chooses, the HealthSelectSM Medicare Advantage Plan preferred provider organization (MA PPO), insured by UnitedHealthcare. 

  • Medicare-eligible retirees can choose to stay in HealthSelect of Texas®, but their coverage will change to HealthSelectSM Secondary. HealthSelect Secondary has higher dependent and tiered premiums and higher out-of-pocket costs than the Medicare Advantage plans.
  • Medicare retirees cannot make or receive contributions to a health savings account (HSA) and should not be enrolled in Consumer Directed HealthSelectSM.

Health plan premium rates

Currently, the State of Texas pays for at least part of most retirees’ monthly health care rates (or premiums). This is called the state contribution. If the state doesn’t pay 100% of the premium, the retiree pays the remainder. The state’s contribution is based on available funding provided by the Texas Legislature and depends on three things:  

  • how many years the retiree worked in a benefits-eligible position at an agency or higher education institution that participates in the GBP;
  • whether the retiree worked full-time or part-time in their last three months of employment at a participating agency/institution; and
  • whether the retiree had at least five years of eligible service at a GBP-participating agency or institution as of Sept. 1, 2014.

Learn more about “tiered” retiree insurance contributions.

See health plan comparison charts and premium rate sheets (including “tiered” rates)

IMPORTANT NOTICE ABOUT INSURANCE: Health and other insurance benefits for employees and retirees are subject to change based on available state funding. The Texas Legislature determines the level of funding for such benefits and has no continuing obligation to provide those benefits beyond each fiscal year.

Tobacco policy

Texas law authorizes ERS to charge a premium to any person enrolled in a Texas Employees Group Benefits Program (GBP) health plan who uses tobacco products, including e-cigarettes and vaping products. Read about ERS’ tobacco policy.

Opting out

Learn how to opt out of GBP health insurance.

Understanding health costs

Watch a video to learn how and why the State of Texas shares health costs with employees and retirees.

Learn ways you can keep your health costs down and prevent surprise medical bills.

TexFlex flexible spending accounts

Have a TexFlex account? Continue your participation in retirement through COBRA.

Protecting your privacy

Find out how ERS protects your personal health information in compliance with the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) of 1996.

HealthSelect of Texas® (not enrolled in Medicare)

A network-based point-of-service plan administered by Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Texas available to participants who live in Texas and are not enrolled in Medicare. You choose a primary care provider (PCP), get referrals for specialists and save money by using in-network providers. HealthSelect of Texas includes comprehensive prescription drug coverage administered by Express Scripts.

HealthSelectSM Out-of-State (not enrolled in Medicare)

Available to participants not enrolled in Medicare who live outside Texas. In this network-based preferred provider organization (PPO) administered by Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Texas, you’ll save money by using in-network providers. It includes comprehensive prescription drug coverage administered by Express Scripts.

Consumer Directed HealthSelectSM (not enrolled in Medicare)

A network-based, high-deductible PPO available nationwide to participants not enrolled in Medicare, administered by Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Texas. You do not need referrals to specialists, but will save money by using in-network providers. The program includes comprehensive prescription drug coverage administered by Express Scripts. The state makes monthly contributions to an eligible member’s Optum Bank health savings account (HSA).

Health maintenance organizations (HMOs)

Note: HMOs are not a part of the GBP offering as of Sept. 1, 2021.

HealthSelectSM Medicare Advantage (Medicare only)

For participants enrolled in Medicare Part A and Part B, HealthSelect Medicare Advantage replaces both original Medicare and other GBP coverage as your primary and secondary coverage. This plan also covers the Medicare deductible and includes Medicare Part D prescription drug coverage administered by Express Scripts.

HealthSelectSM Secondary (Medicare only)

HealthSelect Secondary is available only to participants enrolled in Medicare. It is available nationwide and is administered by Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Texas. Medicare is the primary payer; HealthSelect Secondary pays most of the rest of any approved medical expenses, with the member picking up the remainder. It includes Medicare Part D prescription drug coverage administered by Express Scripts Medicare® (PDP).