BILL ANALYSIS

 

 

Senate Research Center	H.B. 2022
87R6951 MEW-F	By: Darby et al. (Huffman)
	Education
	5/20/2021
	Engrossed

 

 

 

AUTHOR'S / SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT

 

The 85th Legislature made changes to the Texas Public School Employees Group Insurance Program, also known as TRS-Care. At the time, Teacher Retirement System of Texas (TRS) retirees faced higher premiums and moving from a multi-option plan to a plan with only one option, based on Medicare eligibility. The Medicare insurance industry marketed its products heavily to TRS retirees and their spouses during this time. Many TRS-Care members were confused, and some retirees gave up TRS-Care health benefits to purchase a less expensive alternative, only to learn later that what they purchased to replace TRS-Care fell far short. H.B. 2022 seeks to allow Medicare-eligible TRS retirees who voluntarily terminated membership in TRS-Care on or after January 1, 2017, and on or before December 31, 2019, a one-time opportunity to reenroll in TRS-Care before a specified deadline.

 

H.B. 2022 amends current law relating to enrollment of certain retirees in the Texas Public School Employees Group Insurance Program.

 

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

 

Rulemaking authority is expressly granted to the Teacher Retirement System of Texas in SECTION 1 (Section 1575.161, Insurance Code) of this bill.

 

SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS

 

SECTION 1.  Amends Section 1575.161, Insurance Code, by adding Subsections (b) and (c), as follows:

(b)  Requires the Teacher Retirement System of Texas (TRS), notwithstanding Subsection (a) (relating to authorizing a retiree eligible for coverage under the group program to select certain enrollment periods), by rule to provide one opportunity to reenroll in a health benefit plan offered under the group program for an otherwise eligible retiree:

(1)  who is eligible to enroll in Medicare;

(2)  whose initial enrollment was voluntarily terminated on or after January 1, 2017, and on or before December 31, 2019; and

(3)  who opts to reenroll on or before December 31, 2023.

(c) Provides that subsection (b) and this subsection expire September 1, 2024.

SECTION 2.  Requires TRS, not later than November 1, 2021, to adopt rules necessary to implement Section 1575.161(b), Insurance Code, as added by this Act.

SECTION 3.  Effective date: upon passage or September 1, 2021.

 

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