Discussion of TRS Issues - Deer Park High School 23 20… · Discussion of TRS Issues . TRS...

Discussion of TRS Issues

TRS Standardized Service Year & Annuity Calculations

TRS ActiveCare Health Insurance

May 23, 2012

David Webb, Chief Financial Officer Bob Treacy, LHIC, City-County Benefit Services

Deer Park Independent School District TRS Retirement and Health Insurance Update

TRS Service and Earnings Credit Update (David Webb)

House Bill 2561, passed in the 2011 legislative session, standardized the TRS reporting year to September 1 – August 31 each year. This is potentially problematic for some of our employees because many of our teachers and other campus staff have August 1 contract start dates – contracts which logically end on July 31 each year. Here are some details. 2012-13 Year (This Coming Year) – Earnings credit will be based on a September 1 – August 31 year, or the member’s contract year, whichever method is most beneficial to the member. Service credit, which requires 90 work days, will not begin to accumulate until September 1, regardless of the contract start date. 2013-14 (The Following Year) – Both earnings credit and service credit will be calculated for the final year of work starting September 1 each year. This could be problematic for those with an August 1 to July 31 contract, since the final month of the TRS year is August and many employees who are retiring at the end of the school year will no longer be on the payroll in August.

This change underscores the necessity to meet with a TRS counselor well ahead of time if you are planning to retire anytime soon.

Below is a brief note from TRS on this subject. You can view their 14-minute Webinar presentation on this topic at the following link: http://www.trs.state.tx.us/employers.jsp?submenu=reporting&page_id=/reporting/reporting_officials Also, their PowerPoint presentation from this Webinar is available at the following link: http://www.trs.state.tx.us/reporting/documents/standardized_school_year.pdf

House Bill 2561 – Standardized School Year

House Bill 2561, 82nd Leg., R.S. (2011), amended the definition of a “school year” to mean a 12-month period beginning September 1 and ending August 31 of the next calendar year beginning with the 2012-13 school year; however, this bill did not outline how TRS would determine creditable compensation paid prior to the 2012-13 school year for members whose contracts for that year begin prior to September 1, 2012.

TRS will apply all salaries for the 2012-13 and earlier school years either according to a 12 month period based on the member’s “qualified” contract or work agreement, or on a September 1 through August 31 basis, whichever is most advantageous for a member reported with either an August through July contract/agreement period or a July through June period. In either case, no more than 12 months of compensation will be credited in one school year. Annual compensation for the 2013-14 school year and later years will be credited on a September 1 through August 31 basis for all members, as required by law.

http://www.trs.state.tx.us/employers.jsp?submenu=reporting&page_id=/reporting/reporting_officials

http://www.trs.state.tx.us/reporting/documents/standardized_school_year.pdf

Possible Solutions:

A. DPISD could shift the pay cycle for all August 1 employee contracts from Aug 1 – July 31 to Sept 1 to Aug 31. This means that most campus-based staff would have to skip a check for a month. They would still get 12 checks, just over a new, different period of time. This is NOT a good option!

B. DPISD could begin shifting the pay date for the affected employees by a few days each month until we had shifted the pay cycle by a full month. This is also NOT a good option! Aside from the obvious logistical nightmare, bill like car payments and mortgages are still due on the same date.

C. Address the issue with the legislature, pointing out the loss of pension annuity impact on individual employees, and see if the will address the problem that they themselves created. This is by far the best option! (All of our local legislators voted for it, they can all vote to change it!)

Options A and B, and any other potential solution you can think of, would be our response to a problem we did not create. Option C is best because it allows our legislature the opportunity to address the problem they themselves created. And they created this issue for us and many other districts, so they will soon be hearing from those districts and from us.

See handout from TRS on the Standardized School Year / House Bill 2561 issue.

House Bill 2561

2012-2013 School Year:

Service Credit: September – August for

ALL members

Salary: Either September to August OR

based on contract/work agreement (non-

standard)

2013-2014 School Year:

Service Credit: September – August for

ALL members

Salary: September – August for ALL

members

Will continue to be due for each

member in the month that member

begins new school year work

agreement/contract.

Applied for 12-month period based on

either contract/work agreement dates or

September 1-August 31, whichever is best

for the member

Per TRS Rules, no more than 12

months of compensation will be credited

in one school year

Credited September 1-August 31

regardless of contract/work

agreement dates.

Beginning with 2012-2013 school year,

TRS service credit is earned on a

September 1-August 31 basis for

EVERY member

No—it is not necessary (for TRS purposes)

to change contract dates.

However, members with non-standard

contracts will need to be aware of the

change. In 2013-2014 and later years, the

member will need to work through

August to ensure 12 months of salary (if

that is one of their highest years).

Most likely will not be affected if they are

on a September-August pay schedule

They will have earned all of their salary

by the end of the instructional year (May

or early June)

This change will affect a small

percentage of members per year---

those with non-standard contracts

who are retiring at the end of the

fiscal year.

For those with non-standard contracts for

whom retiring in August would be very

disruptive, another option is to work

through the full fall semester, then retire.

An added benefit to the member is that

they will have earned an additional year

of TRS service credit.

We do understand that the change to a standardized school year will create some challenges for those with non-standard contracts.

Ultimately, each reporting entity will need to address this change to a standardized school year as they see fit in regards to contracts/work agreements.

Deer Park Independent School District TRS ActiveCare Health Insurance

(David Webb, Lisa Gilbert, DPISD, Bob Treacy, C-CBS Benefits Consultant)

On January 1, 2013, we will shut down the active operations of our self-funded health insurance plan and switch our coverage to the TRS ActiveCare plan, administered by Blue Cross-Blue Shield of Texas. Because our self-funded plan is out of funds and currently spending approximately $350,000 more a month than it is taking in from contributions, we are taking several steps to address the shortfall, as follows:

1. Transfer $500,000 from the self-funded workers compensation fund to the self-funded health insurance plan.

2. Increase employee contributions to the self-funded plan to the new TRS ActiveCare2 rates on September 1, 2012 (effective on the August payroll check). Due this unexpected mid-year rate increase, we will allow employees to drop coverage for September 1 if they wish to do so. Those same employees will be eligible to opt back in to the TRS ActiveCare plan during the October enrollment period for January 1, 2013 if they wish to do so.

3. The District will transfer additional funds into the self-funded plan to assist in keeping it afloat until December 31, 2012.

What Caused the Self-Funded Plan to Run Out of Money? Several things contributed to the demise of the self-funded plan. First, we did not increase rates gradually over a 3-year period when claims costs were fairly stable and constant. Second, medical and prescription costs have been increasing. Third, plan utilization by our member population is increasing rapidly. Fourth, a small percentage of members have spiked claims costs significantly with a variety of ailments and injuries. These four circumstances have combined to create a “perfect storm” for our plan over a relatively short period of time.

Open Enrollment – we will conduct an open enrollment period in early October, with two afternoon-evening sessions dedicated to assisting employees with their choices, and with entering their beneficiary data into our system. We will have various vendors available like last year, but we will conduct the training here in the new Education Service Center so that we have more room to spread out and more computer stations to assist employees. The dates are currently scheduled for Wednesday and Thursday, October 3-4, 2012, from 2:00pm to 8:00pm. The room location will be the Lone Star Room.

During the Open Enrollment process, we will need all employees to log on to input their beneficiary data. They will also have the opportunity to decline TRS coverage or to make elections for coverage as needed. They will also have the opportunity to change vision, dental and some other optional, employee-paid benefits as well.

Wednesday, October 3rd will be for elementary school staff and support locations. Thursday, October 4th will be for secondary school staff, support locations and anyone who could not come on Wednesday, October 3rd.

Flexible Spending – Since we will continue our plan administration with United Healthcare through December 31st, we will retain them to administer our plan through the remainder of our calendar plan year. We will locate and retain a suitable firm to replace them on Jan 1, 2013. So we will continue to offer this important benefit to all of our staff, regardless of their participation in the health plan.

Short Plan Year – By deferring our enrollment in the TRS plan to January 1, we maintain our current timeline on our current year plan, but we create a short plan year for next year. TRS AC starts their plan year on September 1, but we will not be joining their plan until January 1st – 4 months later. So our first “year” in the plan will be a short, eight month year (January 1 to August 31). Given a choice of shortening this plan year or the next plan year, we decided to shorten next year and give all of our members adequate time to plan well ahead for that short, 8-month plan year. After 9/1/2013, we will be fully converted back to a new and full 12-month year, starting 9/1/2013 and ending 8/31/2014.

Vision, Dental and Other Benefits – TRS only administers their medical health insurance program. They do not offer any vision, dental, short term or long term disability coverage, cancer plan or any other benefits. So we will continue to offer all of the same benefits we offer now that are outside of the medical plan.

Alternative Coverage – Many employees have already expressed their desire to obtain alternative health insurance coverage outside of our current and future offerings.

District Contribution – The District currently contributes $230 per employee per month (PEPM) to the health insurance fund. That contribution slightly exceeds the state requirement of $225 PEPM. Additionally, the District will contribute between $2.1 million and $3.5 million in additional contributions to the self-funded plan between now and December 31, 2012 to assist in keeping our current plan solvent. The District will continue to make the $230 PEPM contribution when we change to the TRS ActiveCare plan in 2013.

Current Plan Rates for 2012 / TRS ActiveCare 2 Rates for 2012-13

(total rates – District $230 PEPM contribution NOT netted out of these rates)

Level of Coverage Current TRS AC2 Increase

Employee Only $397 $460 $63 Employee + Spouse $775 $1,046 $271 Employee + Children $663 $731 $68 Employee + Family $1,020 $1,150 $130 TRS also has two ActiveCare 1 options at a lesser price, and an ActiveCare 3 plan at a higher price.

Employee & Spouse / Children Coverage / both spouses work for DPISD – Currently, the District offers a special rate for the few folks we have in this situation. Employees who have a spouse who also works for the District will have a split rate – each employee will pay ½ of the total premium less the District contribution of $230 for each employee. Employees who have a spouse that works for another TRS-covered entity will also have a split rate. Those employees will need to complete the TRS ActiveCare Application to Split Premium.

See attached Example of how the Split Premium will work.

Additional information on TRS ActiveCare – can be found on the TRS website at www.trs.state.tx.us/ Under the Active Members section, including rates, available doctors / providers and plan design.

Seeking Coverage with other providers – We have received a number of inquiries from employees asking us if we have solicited quotes from other providers. As always, this is a simple question with a lengthy answer. David Webb and Bob Treacy will discuss this at the May 23rd meeting.

Dropping Coverage at September 1, 2012 – Many employees have informed us that they would prefer to drop our coverage as of September 1. The primary reason for this request is to avoid the mid-year rate increase. To drop coverage on September 1, employees must inform our Benefits Office in writing no later than August 1, 2012 of their intent to do so. They may do so by signing the form attached at the bottom of this page. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

DEER PARK INDEPENDENT SCHOOL DISTRICT ELECTION TO DROP HEALTH INSURANCE COVERAGE AT SEPTEMBER 1, 2012

I wish to drop my health insurance coverage as of September 1, 2012. I understand and agree that I am eligible to re-enter the District’s health insurance plan during the 2012 open enrollment for January 1, 2013, but not eligible to re-enter the plan during the September 1 – December 31, 2012 period. I understand that my waiver of coverage at September 1, 2012 and entry into the TRS plan on January 1, 2013 may trigger pre-existing condition exclusions and may compromise full coverage under federal HIPAA regulations.

Signed: _____________________________________ Date: ________________

Name: ______________________________________ (Print Clearly) Work Location: _______________________________

http://www.trs.state.tx.us/

PRE-EXISTING CONDITION EXCLUSION RULES Most health plans impose pre-existing condition exclusions. This means that if you have a medical condition before coming to our plan you might have to wait a certain period of time before the plan will provide coverage for that condition. This exclusion applies only to conditions for which medical advice, diagnosis, care or treatment was recommended or received within the six- month period before your enrollment date. Generally, this six-month period ends the day before your coverage becomes effective. The preexisting condition exclusion does not apply to pregnancy. Also, preexisting condition exclusions do not apply to employees that initially enroll when a participating entity begins participating in TRS-ActiveCare or to new hires who enroll within 31 days after their actively-at-work date. However, if you were covered by TRS-ActiveCare at any point in time since the program’s inception in 2002, and have been hired by a different participating entity (or rehired by same participating entity), preexisting limitation exclusions may apply. Finally, the preexisting condition exclusion rule does not apply to an individual under the age of 19. This preexisting condition exclusion may last up to 12 months from your first day of coverage, or, if you were in a waiting period, from the first day of your waiting period. However, you can reduce the length of this exclusion period by the number of days you had prior ―creditable coverage.‖ Most prior health coverage is creditable coverage and can be used to reduce the pre-existing condition exclusion if you have not experienced a break in coverage of at least 63 days. To reduce the 12-month exclusion period by your creditable coverage, you should give us a copy of any certificates of creditable coverage that you have. If you do not have a certificate, but you do have prior health coverage, you have a right to request one from your prior plan or issuers. There are also other ways that you can show that you have creditable coverage. Please contact us if you need help demonstrating creditable coverage. For more information about the preexisting condition exclusion and creditable coverage rules affecting your plan, call Customer Service at the phone number on the back of your TRS-ActiveCare ID card.

ActiveCare 1-HD ActiveCare 1 ActiveCare 2 ActiveCare 3

Deductible(per plan year)

$2,400 employee-only$2,400 employee

and spouse, employee and child(ren),

employee and family

$1,200 per individual$3,000 per family

$750 per individual $2,250 per family

$300 per individual$900 per family

Out-of-Pocket Maximum(per plan year; does not include deductible/copays)

$3,000 employee-only$5,000 employee

and spouse, employee and child(ren),

employee and family



$1,000 per individual

CoinsurancePlan pays (up to allowable amount)Participant pays (after deductible)

80%20%

80%20%

80%20%

80%20%

Office Visit Copay Participant pays

20% afterdeductible

20% afterdeductible

$30 for primary$50 for specialist

$20 for primary$30 for specialist

Preventive CareSee reverse side for a list of covered services

Plan pays 100% Plan pays 100% Plan pays 100% Plan pays 100%

High-tech Radiology(CT scan, MRI, nuclear medicine)Participant pays

20% after deductible 20% after deductible $100 copay, plus 20% after deductible

$100 copay, plus 20% after deductible

Inpatient Hospital(facility charges)Participant pays

20% after deductible 20% after deductible $150 copay per day, plus 20% after deductible ($750 maximum copay per admission; $2,250 maximum copay per

plan year)

$150 copay per day, plus 20% after deductible ($750 maximum copay per admission; $2,250 maximum copay per

plan year)

Emergency RoomParticipant pays

20% after deductible 20% after deductible $150 copay plus 20% after deductible (copay

waived if admitted)

$150 copay plus 20% after deductible (copay

waived if admitted) Outpatient Surgery Participant pays

20% after deductible 20% after deductible $150 copay per visit plus 20% after deductible

$150 copay per visit plus 20% after deductible

Prescription Drugs Drug Deductible (per plan year)

Subject to plan year deductible

Subject to plan year deductible

$100 per person $75 per person

Retail Short-Term (up to a 30-day supply) • Generic Copay • Brand Copay (preferred list) • Brand Copay (non-preferred list)

Participant pays 20% after deductible


Participant pays $15

$35** $60**

Participant pays $15

$35** $60**

Retail Maintenance (after second fill; up to a 30-day supply) • Generic Copay• Brand Copay (preferred list)• Brand Copay (non-preferred list)



Participant pays

$20 $45** $75**

Participant pays

$20 $45** $75**

Mail Order (up to a 90-day supply) • Generic Copay• Brand Copay (preferred list)• Brand Copay (non-preferred list)



Participant pays $ 45 $105** $180**

Participant pays $ 45 $105** $180**

Specialty Drugs Participant pays 20% after deductible


$200 per fill $200 per fill

Monthly Premium CostEmployee OnlyEmployee and SpouseEmployee and Child(ren)Employee and Family***

$287$703$448$920

$325$741$519$817

$ 434 $ 987 $ 690 $1,085

$ 584$1,328$ 931$1,461

2011–2012 PLAN HIGHLIGHTSEffective September 1, 2011 through August 31, 2012Network Level of Benefits*

TRS-ActiveCare is administered by Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Texas, a Division of Health Care Service Corporation, a Mutual Legal Reserve Company, an Independent Licensee of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association. Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Texas provides claims payment services only and does not assume any financial risk or obligation with respect to claims. Prescription drug benefits are administered by Medco Health Solutions, Inc. Copyright © 2011 Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Texas

A specialist is any physician other than family practitioner, internist, OB/GYN or pediatrician. * Illustrates benefits when network providers are used. Non-network benefits are also available; see Enrollment Guide for more information ** If the patient obtains a brand-name drug when a generic equivalent is available, the patient will be responsible for the generic copayment plus the cost difference between the brand-name drug and the generic drug.*** Employee and Family coverage is more expensive for ActiveCare 1-HD than ActiveCare 1 because the deductible and out-of-pocket maximum amounts for family are less and the plan may begin paying benefits sooner.

Employee and Family coverage is less expensive for ActiveCare 1 than ActiveCare 1-HD because the deductible and out-of-pocket maximum amounts for family are greater, and it will take longer to accumulate the medical and prescription drug expenses to satisfy these amounts.

List of Covered Preventive Care ServicesEffective September 1, 2011, Plans Pay 100% When Using Network Providers*

Children and Adolescents Adults

Newborns• Screening for hearing loss,

hypothyroidism, sickle cell disease and phenylketonuria (PKU)

• Gonorrhea preventive medication for eyes

Immunizations• Diphtheria, Tetanus, Pertussis• Haemophilus influenzae type B• Hepatitis A and B• Human Papillomavirus (HPV)• Influenza (Flu)• Measles, Mumps, Rubella• Meningococcal• Pneumococcal (pneumonia)• Inactivated Poliovirus• Rotavirus• Varicella (chickenpox)

Childhood health screenings• Medical history for all children

throughout development• Height, weight and Body Mass Index

(BMI) measurements• Developmental screening• Autism screening• Behavioral assessment• Vision screening• Oral health risk assessment• Hematocrit or hemoglobin screening• Obesity screening and weight

management counseling• Iron supplements• Fluoride supplements• Lead screening• Dyslipidemia screening• Tuberculin testing

Adolescent health screenings• Depression screening• Alcohol and drug use assessment• Counseling to prevent sexually

transmitted infections (STIs)• Cervical dysplasia screening• HIV screening

General health screenings• Blood pressure screening• Cholesterol screening• Type 2 diabetes screening• HIV and sexually transmitted infections (STIs)

screenings

Health CounselingDoctors are encouraged to counsel patients about these health issues and refer them to appropriate resources as needed:• Healthy diet• Weight loss• Tobacco use• Alcohol misuse• Depression• Prevention of sexually transmitted

infections (STIs)• Use of aspirin to prevent cardiovascular

disease

Immunizations• Hepatitis A and B• Herpes Zoster (Shingles)• Human Papillomavirus (HPV)• Influenza (Flu)• Measles, Mumps, Rubella• Meningococcal• Pneumococcal (pneumonia)• Tetanus, Diphtheria, Pertussis• Varicella (chickenpox)

Women• Osteoporosis screening• Chlamydia infection screening• Gonorrhea and syphilis screening• BRCA counseling about genetic testing

Pregnant Women• Folic acid supplements• Anemia screening for iron deficiency• Tobacco cessation counseling• Syphilis screening• Hepatitis B screening• Rh incompatibility blood type testing• Bacteriuria urinary tract infection screening• Breastfeeding education

Men• Abdominal aortic aneurysm one-time

screening

Cancer screenings• Breast cancer mammography• Breast cancer chemoprevention counseling• Cervical cancer pap test for women• Colorectal cancer screenings including fecal

occult blood testing, sigmoidoscopy or colonoscopy• Prostate cancer (PSA) screening for men

49706.0311

*Note: If you receive preventive services during an office visit, you will be required to pay any applicable coinsurance or copayment if the doctor does not bill or code separately for the service and the primary reason for the visit is not to receive the preventive service. If you receive preventive services from a non-network provider, you will be responsible for any applicable deductible and coinsurance.

District/Entity Name TRS Reporting Number

SECTION 5 — TO BE COMPLETED BY EMPLOYER of the employee in Section 3 to TERMINATE SPLIT PREMIUM

Please terminate the split premium funding arrangement for this employee.

Employer Verification Signature Date

Group Number 085000 www.trs.state.tx.us/trs-activecare Toll-Free Customer Service 1.866.355.5999

Employee Last Name First Name Middle Initial Social Security Number

I elect to split the cost of coverage 50/50 with my spouse. I have declined TRS-ActiveCare coverage under my participating district/entity and will becovered as a dependent of my spouse as listed in Section 1.


This form is to be completed by both husband and wife who wish to split the cost of employee and spouse or employee and family coverage whilebeing employed by different districts/entities participating in TRS-ActiveCare.

The employee identified in Section 1 is required to select a plan under TRS-ActiveCare. The employee’s spouse, identified in Section 3, is requiredto decline (waive) TRS-ActiveCare coverage. The employing district/entity for EACH person must also complete Sections 2 or 4, as appropriate.

The cost for TRS-ActiveCare coverage will be split between the two employers. Each employer will be billed 50 percent of the total cost of theTRS-ActiveCare plan selected by the employee in Section 1.

The entity employing the spouse who declined coverage will consider the employee as covered under a group health plan for funding purposes.


Applicationto SplitPremium

Submit to: Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Texas, P. O. Box 660400, Dallas, TX 75266-0400

SECTION 1 — TO BE COMPLETED BY EMPLOYEE that has elected employee and spouse or employee and family coverage

8709.577.0309

SECTION 2 — TO BE COMPLETED BY EMPLOYER of the employee in Section 1

SECTION 3 — TO BE COMPLETED BY EMPLOYEE that will be declining coverage

SECTION 4 — TO BE COMPLETED BY EMPLOYER of the employee in Section 3

——

I confirm this employee is an active employee who has declined TRS-ActiveCare coverage. I understand that 50 percent of the cost of coverage elected by thisemployee’s spouse will be billed to our district/entity.

I confirm this employee is an active employee enrolled for TRS-ActiveCare coverage. I understand that the cost of this employee’scoverage will be split 50/50 between our district/entity and the participating district/entity of the employee’s spouse.


Employee Signature Date


Employee Last Name First Name Middle Initial Social Security Number

I have elected employee and spouse or employee and family coverage, and I elect to split the cost of coverage 50/50 with my spouse.

Employee Signature Date

——

Please print in blue or black ink.

Effective Date

Effective Date

DEER PARK ISDJanuary 1, 2012

S:\BUSSHARE\LISA\STUFF\TABLEBENEFITS 2012 TRS ActiveCare

MUNIS DESCRIPTION EE DPISD TOTAL

8023 $25,000 LIFE INSURANCE & AD&D 1.975LONG TERM DISABILITY

8020 Supplemental Life - Employee8021 Supplemental Life - Spouse8022 Supplemental Life - Child8026 AD&D - Employee8027 AD&D - Family

MA UNITED/EMP 108.00 230.00 338.00MB UNITED/EMP&CHILD 310.00 230.00 540.00MC UNITED/EMP&SPSE 541.00 230.00 771.00MD UNITED/EMP&FAM 620.00 230.00 850.00




LIFE INSURANCELife Insurance Adjustment 8099 (Emp pay Adj 8098)

TRS ActiveCare 1

Supplemental Life Insurance Adjustment 8029

Medical Insurance Adj (2099)

TRS ActiveCare 1 HD

TRS ActiveCare 2

TRS ActiveCare 3

invites you to attend the

Employee Benefits Fair and Open Enrollment (Come and Go Event – Stay As Long as You Like)

Wednesday, October 3rd, 2012 2:00pm to 8:00pm (Elementary and Support Staff locations)

Thursday, October 4th, 2012 2:00pm to 8:00pm (Secondary and Support Staff locations)

in the Lone Star Room, Education Service Center, 2800 Texas Avenue, Deer Park, Texas 77536

Providers in attendance will include the following: Vision – Block Vision __Cancer / Dread Diseases (TBD)__ Dental – MetLife Short-Term Disability – The Standard

Tax-Sheltered Retirement Plans: ING / DPISD 457 Plan – David Schamerhorn

403b Plans – Ray Landers, Landers & Associates Gerald Metcalf, VALIC

Nathan Rorick – AXA Advisors

Identity Theft Protection – LegalShield

Employees may complete their Open Enrollment process for 2013 while attending this event. Benefits Open Enrollment begins on Monday, October 1, 2012 and concludes on

Friday, October 5, 2011.

All employees must go through the benefits enrollment process to input life insurance beneficiaries and to accept or decline benefits coverage.

DEER PARK ISD

Deer Park Independent School District TRS ActiveCare Blue Cross-Blue Shield of Texas Information

Effective January 1, 2013, Blue Cross Blue-Shield of Texas will be our new Medical provider. Medco Health Solutions, Inc. will administer our Prescription Drug plan. These plans are administered through the Teacher Retirement System of Texas. If you have questions regarding coverage or plan provisions before January 1, 2013, you may contact the TRS-ActiveCare Customer Service line for assistance.

TRS-ActiveCare Customer Service, 1-866-355-5999 Available 8am - 8pm

TRS ActiveCare Blue Cross Blue Shield of Texas*: http://www.bcbstx.com/trs/

On this website, you can search for doctors and hospitals, download forms and find other resources. (See blue tab on the top of the page)

*The information posted on this website is mainly focused on September 1 enrollees. Please keep this in mind while browsing the website.

(Following are some telephone short cuts that may help speed up your call.)

For medical or pharmacy questions, the employee would dial the same number, 1-866-355-5999 Welcome to the Blue Cross Blue Shield Member Services line for TRS-ActiveCare.

• If you are a health care provider, press 2. ...5 second pause...

• If you're a member covered by TRS-ActiveCare, please say member

Employee must say Member

• The conversant then says.... To direct your call, please say “medical” or “prescription drugs” Please hold while I connect you...this call may be recorded. Thank you for calling Member Services...please briefly describe the reason for your call

Briefly state your issue (i.e., deductible, co-pay, coverage)…you will be directed accordingly.

http://www.bcbstx.com/trs/

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