TRS Board approves new ActiveCare premiums, benefit changes

The TRS Board of Trustees met Tuesday to approve rates for ActiveCare health insurance. Rate changes range from reductions to increases, depending on your region, your plan, and your level of coverage (e.g., individual vs. family coverage). There are also both positive and negative benefit changes to be aware of.

Go here to see new premium rates and plan changes for the TRS-administered HMO plans.

The legislature approved almost $600 million in funding for ActiveCare to help bring down rates that were expected to soar after a year of keeping rates stable in 2022-23. There is no additional funding for districts that are not participating in ActiveCare.

It is important to note that Gov. Greg Abbott has not yet signed the appropriations bill (HB 1) and has line-item veto authority. We have no reason to expect that he would veto this appropriation, but we are noting this since the funding is technically not finalized until he signs the bill.

TRS moved to regional rating last year, so different areas of the state are affected differently — some areas are seeing premium reductions or very small increases, while higher-cost areas of the state are seeing increases of more than 10%. These will vary depending on which level of coverage you choose (Primary vs. Primary+, for example) and whether you are covering family members or only yourself.

Also remember that local school districts may choose to kick in additional funding to help cover any increases. The information below does not account for local decisions.

Premium rates

You can look up the new rates for the districts in your education service center (ESC) region here (scroll down to find the regional links). Premiums listed do NOT include the employer contribution, which must be at least $225 but varies among districts. Your district may choose to contribute more than it did for the current school year, but cannot contribute less than $225.

Benefit changes

Benefit changes for the ActiveCare plans are as follows:

TRS-ActiveCare HD

• Increase Individual In-Network maximum out-of-pocket from $7,050 to $7,500;
• Increase Family In-Network maximum out-of-pocket from $14,100 to $15,000.

TRS-ActiveCare Primary

• Decrease Individual In-Network maximum out-of-pocket from $8,150 to $7,500;
• Decrease Family In-Network maximum out-of-pocket from $16,300 to $15,000;
• Decrease Telehealth Mental Health Copay from $70 to $0.

TRS-ActiveCare Primary+

• Decrease Family Deductible from $3,600 to $2,400;
• Decrease Primary Care Physician copay from $30 to $15;
• Decrease Mental Health Copay from $30 to $15;
• Decrease Telehealth Mental Health Copay from $70 to $0.

TRS-ActiveCare 2

• Decrease Telehealth Mental Health Copay from $70 to $0.