By: Ashby, et al. (Senate Sponsor - Huffman) H.B. No. 3976
         (In the Senate - Received from the House May 5, 2017;
  May 5, 2017, read first time and referred to Committee on State
  Affairs; May 16, 2017, reported adversely, with favorable
  Committee Substitute by the following vote:  Yeas 9, Nays 0;
  May 16, 2017, sent to printer.)
Click here to see the committee vote
 
  COMMITTEE SUBSTITUTE FOR H.B. No. 3976 By:  Huffman
 
 
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
 
AN ACT
 
  relating to the administration of and benefits payable under the
  Texas Public School Retired Employees Group Benefits Act.
         BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
         SECTION 1.  Section 1575.002, Insurance Code, is amended by
  amending Subdivision (5) and adding Subdivisions (5-a) and (5-b) to
  read as follows:
               (5)  "Health benefit plan" means any [a group insurance
  policy, contract, or certificate, medical or hospital service
  agreement, membership or subscription contract, salary
  continuation plan, or similar] group arrangement to provide health
  care benefits [services] or to pay or reimburse expenses for [of]
  health care services.
               (5-a)  "Medicare Advantage plan" means a health benefit
  plan operated under Part C of the Medicare program.
               (5-b)  "Medicare prescription drug plan" means a health
  benefit plan operated under Part D of the Medicare program.
         SECTION 2.  Subchapter A, Chapter 1575, Insurance Code, is
  amended by adding Section 1575.0025 to read as follows:
         Sec. 1575.0025.  REFERENCES TO BASIC PLAN. A reference in
  this code to a "basic plan" under this chapter means a health
  benefit plan provided under this chapter other than a Medicare
  Advantage plan or a Medicare prescription drug plan.
         SECTION 3.  Section 1575.006(a), Insurance Code, is amended
  to read as follows:
         (a)  The following are exempt from execution, attachment,
  garnishment, or any other process:
               (1)  benefit payments, [including optional benefits
  payments,] active employee and state contributions, and retiree,
  surviving spouse, and surviving dependent child contributions;
               (2)  any rights, benefits, or payments accruing to any
  person under this chapter; and
               (3)  any money in the fund.
         SECTION 4.  Section 1575.052(a), Insurance Code, is amended
  to read as follows:
         (a)  The trustee may adopt rules, plans, procedures, and
  orders reasonably necessary to implement this chapter, including:
               (1)  minimum benefit and financing standards for group
  coverage for retirees, dependents, surviving spouses, and
  surviving dependent children;
               (2)  [basic and optional] group coverage for retirees,
  dependents, surviving spouses, and surviving dependent children;
               (3)  procedures for contributions and deductions;
               (4)  periods for enrollment and selection of [optional]
  coverage and procedures for enrolling and exercising options under
  the group program;
               (5)  procedures for claims administration;
               (6)  procedures to administer the fund; and
               (7)  a timetable for:
                     (A)  developing minimum benefit and financial
  standards for group coverage;
                     (B)  establishing health benefit plans offered
  under the group program [plans]; and
                     (C)  taking bids and awarding contracts for health
  benefit plans offered under the group program [plans].
         SECTION 5.  Section 1575.152, Insurance Code, is amended to
  read as follows:
         Sec. 1575.152.  HEALTH BENEFIT [BASIC] PLAN MUST COVER
  PREEXISTING CONDITIONS.  A health benefit [basic] plan offered
  under the group program, other than a Medicare Advantage plan or a
  Medicare prescription drug plan, must cover preexisting
  conditions.
         SECTION 6.  Section 1575.153, Insurance Code, is amended to
  read as follows:
         Sec. 1575.153.  HEALTH BENEFIT PLAN [BASIC] COVERAGE FOR
  RETIREES.  (a)  A retiree who applies for coverage during an
  enrollment period may not be denied coverage in a health benefit 
  [basic] plan provided under this chapter for which the retiree is
  eligible unless the trustee finds under Subchapter K that the
  retiree defrauded or attempted to defraud the group program.
         (b)  A retiree who has coverage under a health benefit plan
  offered under the group program shall pay a monthly contribution,
  as determined by the trustee.
         (c)  As a condition of electing coverage under a health
  benefit plan, the retiree must, in writing, authorize the trustee
  to deduct the amount of the contribution from the retiree's monthly
  annuity payment.  The trustee shall deduct the contribution in the
  manner and form determined by the trustee.
         (d)  Notwithstanding Subsection (b), a retiree is not
  required to pay a monthly contribution under this section until the
  2022 plan year if the retiree:
               (1)  has taken a disability retirement under the
  Teacher Retirement System of Texas on or before January 1, 2017;
               (2)  is receiving disability retirement benefits from
  the Teacher Retirement System of Texas; and
               (3)  is not eligible to enroll in Medicare.
         (e)  This subsection and Subsection (d) expire at the end of
  the 2021 plan year on December 31, 2021.
         SECTION 7.  Section 1575.155(a), Insurance Code, is amended
  to read as follows:
         (a)  A retiree participating in the group program is entitled
  to secure for the retiree's dependents group coverage [provided for
  the retiree] under this chapter for which the dependents are
  eligible under this chapter or any other law, including
  requirements established[, as determined] by the trustee.
         SECTION 8.  Section 1575.156, Insurance Code, is amended by
  amending Subsection (a) and adding Subsections (c) and (d) to read
  as follows:
         (a)  A surviving spouse who is entitled to group coverage
  under this chapter may elect to retain or obtain coverage for which
  the surviving spouse or dependents of the surviving spouse are
  eligible [at the applicable rate for the deceased participant].
         (c)  A surviving spouse who elects under this section to
  retain or obtain coverage under a health benefit plan offered under
  the group program for the surviving spouse or dependents of the
  surviving spouse shall pay a monthly contribution, as determined by
  the trustee.
         (d)  As a condition of electing coverage under a health
  benefit plan, the surviving spouse must, in writing, authorize the
  trustee to deduct the amount of the contribution from the surviving
  spouse's monthly annuity payment.  The trustee shall deduct the
  contribution in the manner and form determined by the trustee.
         SECTION 9.  Section 1575.157, Insurance Code, is amended to
  read as follows:
         Sec. 1575.157.  COVERAGE FOR SURVIVING DEPENDENT CHILD. (a)  
  A surviving dependent child, the guardian of the child's estate, or
  the person having custody of the child may elect to retain or obtain
  group coverage for which the surviving dependent child is eligible
  at the applicable rate for a dependent.
         (b)  A surviving dependent child who has coverage under a
  health benefit plan offered under the group program shall pay a
  monthly contribution, as determined by the trustee.  The applicable
  contributions must be provided by the surviving dependent child in
  the manner established [by Section 1575.205 and] by the trustee.
         SECTION 10.  The heading to Section 1575.158, Insurance
  Code, is amended to read as follows:
         Sec. 1575.158.  [OPTIONAL] GROUP HEALTH BENEFIT PLANS
  [PLAN].
         SECTION 11.  Section 1575.158, Insurance Code, is amended by
  amending Subsection (a) and adding Subsections (c), (d), and (e) to
  read as follows:
         (a)  The [Subject to Section 1575.1581, the] trustee shall
  establish or [may, in addition to providing a basic plan,] contract
  for and make available under the group program a high deductible [an
  optional group] health [benefit] plan for retirees, dependents,
  surviving spouses, or surviving dependent children who are eligible
  under Section 1575.1582.
         (c)  The trustee shall establish or contract for and make
  available under the group program a Medicare Advantage plan and a
  Medicare prescription drug plan for retirees, dependents,
  surviving spouses, and surviving dependent children who are
  eligible under Section 1575.1582.
         (d)  Notwithstanding Subsection (c), if the trustee
  determines that a Medicare Advantage plan or a Medicare
  prescription drug plan is no longer appropriate for the group
  program, the trustee may establish or contract for and make
  available under the group program other health benefit plans to
  provide medical or pharmacy benefits.
         (e)  To the extent the group program has available funds, the
  trustee shall consider implementing a plan design for non-Medicare
  eligible enrollees in the high deductible health plan established
  or made available under Subsection (a) that provides assistance in
  the payment of preventive care, including generic preventive
  maintenance medications, in a manner that is consistent with
  federal law.
         SECTION 12.  Subchapter D, Chapter 1575, Insurance Code, is
  amended by adding Section 1575.1582 to read as follows:
         Sec. 1575.1582.  ELIGIBILITY FOR GROUP HEALTH BENEFIT PLANS.
  (a) A retiree, dependent, surviving spouse, or surviving dependent
  child who is not eligible to enroll in Medicare is eligible to
  enroll in a high deductible health plan offered under the group
  program, subject to any other applicable eligibility requirements,
  including requirements established by the trustee, but is not
  eligible to enroll in another health benefit plan offered under the
  group program.
         (b)  A retiree, dependent, surviving spouse, or surviving
  dependent child who is eligible to enroll in Medicare is eligible to
  enroll in a Medicare Advantage plan or a Medicare prescription drug
  plan offered under the group program, subject to any other
  applicable eligibility requirements, including requirements
  established by the trustee, but is not eligible to enroll in another
  health benefit plan offered under the group program unless
  authorized by Subsection (c).
         (c)  If the trustee makes another health benefit plan
  available under Section 1575.158(d), any individual otherwise
  eligible under this section to enroll in a Medicare Advantage plan
  or Medicare prescription drug plan is eligible to enroll in that
  health benefit plan.
         SECTION 13.  Section 1575.159, Insurance Code, is amended to
  read as follows:
         Sec. 1575.159.  COVERAGE FOR PROSTATE-SPECIFIC ANTIGEN
  TEST. A health benefit plan offered under the group program, other
  than a Medicare Advantage plan or a Medicare prescription drug
  plan, must provide coverage for a medically accepted
  prostate-specific antigen test used for the detection of prostate
  cancer for each male enrolled in the health benefit plan who:
               (1)  is at least 50 years of age; or
               (2)  is at least 40 years of age and:
                     (A)  has a family history of prostate cancer; or
                     (B)  exhibits another cancer risk factor.
         SECTION 14.  The heading to Section 1575.161, Insurance
  Code, is amended to read as follows:
         Sec. 1575.161.  [OPEN ENROLLMENT; ADDITIONAL] ENROLLMENT
  PERIODS.
         SECTION 15.  Section 1575.161, Insurance Code, is amended by
  amending Subsection (a) and adding Subsection (f) to read as
  follows:
         (a)  A retiree eligible for coverage under the group program
  may select for the retiree and the retiree's eligible dependents
  any coverage provided under this chapter for which each of those
  individuals [the person] is otherwise eligible:
               (1)  on any date that is on or after the date the
  retiree [person] retires and on or before the 90th day after that
  date;
               (2)  during a period beginning on the date the retiree
  reaches 65 years of age and ending on a date set by the trustee by
  rule; and
               (3) [(2)]  during any other open enrollment periods for
  retirees set by the trustee by rule.
         (f)  An individual enrolled in a health benefit plan offered
  under the group program may remain enrolled in that health benefit
  plan as long as the individual remains eligible for that health
  benefit plan. If an individual becomes ineligible for a health
  benefit plan in which the individual is enrolled, the trustee shall
  enroll the individual in a health benefit plan for which the
  individual is eligible, if any, in accordance with procedures
  established by the trustee.
         SECTION 16.  Section 1575.164(b), Insurance Code, is amended
  to read as follows:
         (b)  A health benefit plan provided under this chapter, other
  than a Medicare Advantage plan or a Medicare prescription drug
  plan, must provide disease management services or coverage for
  disease management services in the manner required by the Teacher
  Retirement System of Texas, including:
               (1)  patient self-management education;
               (2)  provider education;
               (3)  evidence-based models and minimum standards of
  care;
               (4)  standardized protocols and participation
  criteria; and
               (5)  physician-directed or physician-supervised care.
         SECTION 17.  Section 1575.170(b), Insurance Code, is amended
  to read as follows:
         (b)  A health benefit plan provided under this chapter, other
  than a Medicare Advantage plan or a Medicare prescription drug
  plan, that uses a drug formulary in providing a prescription drug
  benefit must require prior authorization for coverage of the
  following categories of prescribed drugs if the specific drug
  prescribed is not included in the formulary:
               (1)  a gastrointestinal drug;
               (2)  a cholesterol-lowering drug;
               (3)  an anti-inflammatory drug;
               (4)  an antihistamine; and
               (5)  an antidepressant drug.
         SECTION 18.  Section 1575.201, Insurance Code, is amended by
  amending Subsection (a) and adding Subsection (c) to read as
  follows:
         (a)  The state through the trustee shall contribute from
  money in the fund an[:
               [(1)     the total cost of the basic plan covering each
  participating retiree; and
               [(2)     for each participating dependent, surviving
  spouse, and surviving dependent child, the] amount prescribed by
  the General Appropriations Act to cover all or part of the cost for
  each retiree [of the basic plan covering the dependent], surviving
  spouse, and surviving dependent child enrolled in a health benefit
  plan offered under the group program.
         (c)  The trustee may spend a part of the money received for
  the group program to offset a part of the costs for dependent
  coverage if the group program is projected to remain financially
  solvent during the currently funded biennium.
         SECTION 19.  Section 1575.202(a), Insurance Code, is amended
  to read as follows:
         (a)  Each state fiscal year, the state shall contribute to
  the fund an amount equal to 1.25 [one] percent of the salary of each
  active employee.
         SECTION 20.  Section 1575.210(a), Insurance Code, is amended
  to read as follows:
         (a)  Contributions allocated and appropriated under this
  subchapter for a state fiscal year shall be:
               (1)  paid [from the general revenue fund] in equal
  monthly installments;
               (2)  based on the estimated amount certified by the
  trustee to the comptroller for that year; and
               (3)  subject to any express limitations specified in
  the Act making the appropriation.
         SECTION 21.  Section 1575.211(a), Insurance Code, is amended
  to read as follows:
         (a)  The total costs for the operation of the group program
  shall be shared among the state, the public schools, the active
  employees, [and] the retirees, the surviving spouses, and the
  surviving dependent children in the manner prescribed by the
  General Appropriations Act.
         SECTION 22.  Section 1575.212, Insurance Code, is amended by
  adding Subsection (a-1) and amending Subsection (b) to read as
  follows:
         (a-1)  The trustee shall establish and collect payments for
  the share of total costs allocated under Section 1575.211 to
  retirees, surviving spouses, and surviving dependent children.
         (b)  In establishing the payments under Subsection (a-1)
  [ranges for payment of the share of total costs allocated under
  Section 1575.211 to retirees], the trustee may consider various
  factors, including an enrollee's Medicare status, health benefit
  plan election, and dependent coverage [the years of service credit
  accrued by a retiree and may reward those retirees with more years
  of service credit].
         SECTION 23.  Section 1575.302, Insurance Code, is amended to
  read as follows:
         Sec. 1575.302.  PAYMENTS INTO FUND. The following shall be
  paid into the fund:
               (1)  contributions from active employees and the
  state[, including contributions for optional coverages];
               (2)  investment income;
               (3)  appropriations for implementation of the group
  program; and
               (4)  other money required or authorized to be paid into
  the fund.
         SECTION 24.  The following provisions of the Insurance Code
  are repealed:
               (1)  Section 1575.103;
               (2)  Section 1575.156(b);
               (3)  Section 1575.158(b);
               (4)  Section 1575.1581;
               (5)  Sections 1575.161(b), (c), (d), and (e);
               (6)  Section 1575.201(b);
               (7)  Section 1575.205;
               (8)  Section 1575.211(b); and
               (9)  Section 1575.212(a).
         SECTION 25.  The changes in law made by this Act apply only
  to health benefits provided under Chapter 1575, Insurance Code, as
  amended by this Act, beginning with the 2018 plan year. A plan year
  before the 2018 plan year is governed by the law as it existed
  immediately before the effective date of this Act, and that law is
  continued in effect for that purpose.
         SECTION 26.  This Act takes effect September 1, 2017.
 
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