TRS approves ActiveCare rates for 2024-25 school year

Rates for TRS-ActiveCare participants will increase in the 2024-25 school year after the TRS Board of Trustees approved plan costs during its May 3 meeting.

TRS said most participants will see premium increases below 10%, though rates are based on region and reflect what TRS spends on participant health care in each region, as TRS outlines here. Please note that these rates are the total premiums for public education employers. They are not what employees will pay, as they don't reflect employer contributions to premiums. 

Health care costs continue to rise, but TRS reports that its ActiveCare premiums continue to be lower than comparable plans. TRS also approved some benefit adjustments, such as higher deductibles for the 2024-25 year. 

Along with ActiveCare rates, TRS also approved higher premiums for HMO plans in West and South Texas and announced the Baylor Scott & White HMO in Central Texas is being discontinued. Roughly 3% of TRS health plan participants (about 12,000 people) currently using the Baylor Scott & White HMO will have to choose ActiveCare plans for 2024-25. 

Webinars will be held in June and July to review changes and help participants select the best plan for themselves and their families.

Retiree health insurance changes for 2025

During the May meeting, TRS approved MetLife as the provider of new, optional dental and vision benefits for TRS-Care participants. (Read more about it here.) The coverage will begin in January 2025 to comply with Senate Bill 1884 passed in 2023, which requires optional vision and dental plan for retirees. TRS will set rates and release more information about TRS-Care benefits for retirees after its meeting in July. 

TRS also approved a rule-making process for a limited open enrollment period this fall for TRS-Care Medicare Advantage after Texas Senate leaders asked TRS to lower premiums. More information on that will be available in July.