Fall Enrollment begins Oct. 30
The Fall Enrollment period for Medicare-eligible retirees in the Texas Employees Group Benefits Program (GBP) is Oct. 30 through Nov. 17. It is the only time of the year you can enroll in coverage for yourself and/or your eligible dependents without a qualifying life event (QLE). All changes made during this period are effective Jan. 1.
What’s new for Plan Year 2024?
- Express Scripts, Inc. will be the new administrator of the HealthSelectSM Prescription Drug Program and HealthSelectSM Medicare Rx starting Jan. 1.
- EyeMed Vision Care, LLC (EyeMed) became the new administrator for the State of Texas VisionSM program Sept. 1.
- Premiums for the HealthSelectSM Medicare Advantage Plan will increase by about 5–7%.
- Premiums for DeltaCare® USA dental health maintenance organization (DHMO) will increase slightly. They’ll be back to PY22 rates, after a one-year decrease due to a COVID-19-related refund from Delta Dental. You’ll find more information in your Fall Enrollment packet.
- HealthSelectSM Secondary plan’s total annual in-network out-of-pocket maximums will increase to align with IRS maximums.
Why are Medicare Advantage rates increasing?
Premiums are increasing by about 5–7% due to higher medical and prescription costs. However, the Plan Year 2024 premiums are still lower than they were in 2020, before UnitedHealthcare became the insurer of HealthSelectSM Medicare Advantage.
Watch for your enrollment guide in the mail
Your Fall Enrollment packet will have helpful details about these changes, and more. ERS will send your packet in October with information about your benefits. You also can visit the Fall Enrollment page on the ERS website to view the Fall Enrollment guide, premium rates and information from plan administrators.
Enrolling in/dropping coverage outside of Fall Enrollment
To enroll in coverage outside the Fall Enrollment period, you must have a QLE, such as marriage, divorce or loss of other coverage. Medicare-eligible retirees may drop any coverage, reduce optional life insurance coverage or change from one health plan to the other any time of year without a QLE. If you are a retiree who is not eligible for Medicare, your enrollment period ended in July, and you can only enroll in new coverage due to a QLE.