News About Your Benefits

April 1, 2020

We hear a lot about stress these days, and how it is linked to chronic disease. There is definitely a link between stress and health–but our minds are powerful. Some researchers suggest that how we perceive stress can make all the difference.

Protection from surprise medical bills: Some surprises are fun; others are definitely not

March 4, 2020

Surprise billing, also called balance billing, happens when a patient gets billed for the difference between what an out-of-network provider charges and what the insurance company pays for a service. A new Texas law now protects you from these “surprise” bills in emergency situations and in certain cases when you have no choice of providers.

Health plans have mailed Form 1095-Bs; contact your plan if you haven't gotten yours yet

March 4, 2020

If you had non-Medicare health insurance in Calendar Year 2019 through the Texas Employees Group Benefits Program (GBP), check your mailbox for your Form 1095-B. By the end of January, all GBP health plans had mailed Form 1095-Bs to members’ addresses on file.

Texa$aver’s mid-cap funds will change on March 6. What does it mean for you?

March 4, 2020

On March 6, the Texa$aver^SM 401(k) / 457 Program will replace its two current mid-cap investment funds with a new mid-cap investment fund. If you have a balance in one or both of the current two funds, you have two options.

Checking on TexFlex

March 4, 2020

We’re about mid-way through the plan year, so it’s a good time to see how much money is left in your TexFlex^SM flexible spending account.

March is National Nutrition Month: Learn to improve your diet for good

March 4, 2020

Rather than temporarily restricting the quantity and types of foods you eat (which results in weight regain 95% of the time, anyway), build your eating competence instead! Your ERS health plan offers resources to help.

HealthSelect participants: Estimating health costs might be easier than you think

February 5, 2020

Imagine: Your doctor tells you that you need to have a medical procedure or see a specialist. One of your first questions may be: “What’s it going to cost me?” By logging into Blue Access for Members^SM, your online benefits portal, you can search Provider Finder to get estimates and compare costs.

Get the facts: Check out ERS at a Glance

February 5, 2020

Did you know that the Texas Employees Group Benefits Program (GBP) health insurance plans cover about one of every 53 Texans? Read some key statistics about how ERS managed your benefits in the Fiscal Year 2019 ERS at a Glance.

Insurance 101: Talking health care

January 8, 2020

Choosing a medical plan is the first step in making sure you have access to the care you need, when you need it. An essential second step is making sure you know what terms like deductible, copay and total network out-of-pocket maximum mean so you can make fully informed decisions about your health care.

The Discount Purchase Program's new online marketplace

December 4, 2019

New online look for the ERS Discount Purchase Program–with the same great deals.