Retirees not eligible for Medicare: Summer Enrollment is your time to change your benefits

The annual benefits enrollment period for non-Medicare participants in the Texas Employees Group Benefits Program (GBP) will soon be here. Summer Enrollment phase for retirees who are not eligible for Medicare and their covered dependents is July 17 – 28. The annual benefits enrollment for Medicare-eligible retirees is in the fall. If you are not yet eligible for Medicare, but a covered dependent is, their enrollment period is with yours during Summer Enrollment.

The benefits structure—copay, coinsurance and deductible amounts—and most premiums will remain the same in Plan Year 2024. The State of Texas Vision^SM plan will have a new administrator starting Sept. 1, 2023, changing to EyeMed from Superior Vision. The prescription drug programs also will have a new administrator starting Jan. 1, 2024, changing to Express Scripts from OptumRx (non-Medicare) and UnitedHealthcare (Medicare). Please see the articles on page 3 for more details about the administrator changes.

In addition, the health plans’ annual in-network out-of-pocket maximums (medical and pharmacy combined) will increase to align with IRS maximums. Only the DeltaCare^® USA dental health maintenance organization (DHMO) will have premium increases, going back to PY22 rates after a one-year decrease due to a COVID-19-related refund from Delta Dental. You’ll find more information on rates and other details in your Summer Enrollment packet.

ERS will mail your Summer Enrollment guide and Personal Benefits Enrollment Statement (PBES) in July. You should read these even if you don’t plan on making any changes to your benefits. They include important information and reminders about how the plans work. You can also view premium rates and other information from ERS and its plan administrators at Summer Enrollment 2023.