Consumer Directed HealthSelect^SM for Retirees

Consumer Directed HealthSelect is a high-deductible health plan with health savings account (HSA) for people not enrolled in Medicare.

When you enroll in Consumer Directed HealthSelect, you will have to pay for non-preventive care until you or your family meet the annual deductible. You can save money, tax-free, in your HSA to help cover your out-of-pocket health costs. The state, as employer, will contribute to eligible employees' and retirees' HSAs. (To find out if you're eligible for the state's contribution, see "Who can enroll in an HSA?" in the HSA FAQ.)

Plan Benefits

One of the key benefits of Consumer Directed HealthSelect is the ability to save money, tax-free, in an HSA for health costs now or far in the future. There is also a monthly contribution from the state to your HSA (if you’re eligible).

• Learn more by reading the Consumer Directed HealthSelect benefits overview.
• See the Master Benefits Plan Document for detailed information about your health plan benefits.
• You do not need to designate a PCP or get a referral to see a specialist under Consumer Directed HealthSelect, but you probably will pay less for care—sometimes a lot less—if you stay in the HealthSelect network. There are more than 130,000 providers in the statewide network.
• In-network preventive services, like vaccinations and annual checkups, are covered at 100%.
• Except for in-network preventive services, you would pay the full cost of doctor visits, prescriptions and other health care until you or your family reach the annual deductible.
• To protect you from very high health costs, there is also an out-of-pocket maximum that limits the amount you would have to pay out of pocket each year. (HealthSelect of Texas, the point-of-service plan available to employees also has an annual out-of-pocket maximum.)

Eligibility and Enrollment

• The plan is available to Texas Employees Group Benefits Program (GBP)-eligible employees, retirees, former employees and dependents not enrolled in Medicare. Evidence of insurability is never required to enroll in this or any ERS health insurance.
• If you're a new employee, you can enroll in this plan during your first 60 days of employment and coverage will begin the first of the month following your 60th day of employment.
• If you’re retiring directly from a state agency or higher education institution and are not enrolled/enrolling in Medicare, you can enroll in Consumer Directed HealthSelect upon retirement.
• If you're a former employee, you can stay enrolled in Consumer Directed HealthSelect through COBRA, but will no longer get state contributions to your HSAs. You will pay the full premium for the high-deductible health plan plus the 2% administrative fee to ERS. You can still contribute to your HSA tax-free, but must make any contributions directly to Optum Bank. You will also be responsible for any administrative fees to Optum Bank.
• You can enroll during Summer Enrollment and coverage will begin Sept.1 of that year.
• You can also enroll when you have a qualifying life event (QLE) such as a birth or marriage and coverage will begin on the date of birth or the first of the month following the event.

Resources

• High-deductible health plan FAQ
• HSA overview and FAQ
• Health plan comparison charts and premium rate sheets
• Health plan decision tool
• Certify your tobacco use
• Guide to Appeals (pdf)