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A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
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AN ACT
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relating to the eligibility of participants in the state employees |
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group benefits program for certain federal benefits. |
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BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: |
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SECTION 1. Subchapter B, Chapter 1551, Insurance Code, is |
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amended by adding Section 1551.069 to read as follows: |
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Sec. 1551.069. REVIEW OF ELIGIBILITY FOR CERTAIN BENEFITS. |
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(a) The board of trustees shall establish a program to |
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continuously: |
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(1) review each basic coverage plan established under |
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Section 1551.202 to determine whether each participant or covered |
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dependent is eligible to continue receiving basic health coverage |
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provided by that plan as the individual's primary coverage under |
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Section 1551.231; |
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(2) identify each participant or covered dependent who |
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is eligible to enroll in Medicare hospital and medical insurance or |
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Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) benefits under 42 |
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U.S.C. Section 401 et seq.; and |
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(3) ensure that each individual identified under |
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Subdivision (2) is properly enrolled in Medicare hospital and |
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medical insurance or Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) |
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benefits under 42 U.S.C. Section 401 et seq., as applicable. |
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(b) The board of trustees may, using a competitive bidding |
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process, contract with a third party to implement the program under |
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this section. |
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SECTION 2. Subchapter E, Chapter 1551, Insurance Code, is |
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amended by adding Section 1551.231 to read as follows: |
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Sec. 1551.231. GROUP COVERAGE PLAN SECONDARY TO CERTAIN |
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OTHER COVERAGE. The basic health coverage provided by a basic |
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coverage plan established under Section 1551.202 is secondary to |
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Medicare hospital and medical insurance to the extent permitted by |
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federal law for a participant or covered dependent who is entitled |
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to receive Medicare hospital insurance benefits without charge. |
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SECTION 3. The change in law made by this Act applies only |
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to a plan year that commences on or after January 1, 2024. |
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SECTION 4. This Act takes effect September 1, 2023. |