The Texas Retired Teachers Association (TRTA) has reported on several resources available to public education retirees in Texas as they grapple with the devastating effects of Hurricane Harvey.
Unfortunately, an error was made when reporting information about prescriptions for participants in the Teacher Retirement System of Texas (TRS) health care plans. The phone number listed for Express Scripts was missing a digit. Below please find the correct phone numbers for pharmacy benefit providers of TRS health care plans.
- Active employees: CVS Caremark 1-800-222-9205
- Retirees: Express Scripts 1-877-680-4881
As a reminder, both CVS Caremark and Express Scripts have activated processes that allow one-time emergency refills of medications for plan participants in the areas affected by Hurricane Harvey.
We also want to share a resource for affected members who need to file insurance claims as a result of the storm: http://www.tdi.texas.gov/consumer/storms/helpafterharvey.html. The information about whether or not to begin the process of filing insurance claims before or after Sept. 1, 2017 has been conflicting. A new state law, HB 1774, may make it more difficult to file lawsuits against insurance companies, and that law will go into effect Sept. 1, 2017.
TRS Board to Meet Friday, September 1 at 9:00 a.m.
The TRS Board of Trustees will hold a meeting this Friday, Sept. 1 to discuss implementing the changes made by the Texas Legislature to the TRS-Care retiree health insurance program. It is expected that the Board will approve the changes as recommended by the Legislature.
As our members may recall, as a result of additional funding being provided by the Legislature during the recent summer special session, deductibles and premiums for retirees in the TRS-Care plans will be reduced from the amounts approved during the regular legislative session. You can read about the projected changes by haciendo clic aquí.
A link to view the meeting online via webcast will become available on this webpageon Friday morning at approximately 9:00 a.m. You can view the meeting book online here. TRTA will provide a thorough update to members after the board meeting.
TRS has also provided TRTA with the list of approved generic drugs that will be covered under the TRS-Care high deductible health care plan for retirees under the age of 65. You can view that list by clicking here.
TRTF Raises Nearly $4,000 for Hurricane Victims
The Texas Retired Teachers Foundation (TRTF), the charitable arm of TRTA, is grateful to the many members and friends who have donated to help provide immediate and long-term financial assistance to public education retirees and active educators impacted by Hurricane Harvey.
Because of your generosity, TRTF already has raised nearly $4,000!
As a result of this catastrophic storm, many TRS annuitants will experience significant damage to their homes and vehicles and may even struggle to meet daily needs. Teachers may be starting the school year without classroom supplies for their students or may have lost valuable education resources.
TRTF is asking members to please consider making a donation to the Foundation. Your donation could help provide someone in need with food and water, pay for a hotel stay, assist with paying for homeowner’s insurance deductibles, or repair damage to homes, vehicles, or classrooms.
To make a donation online, please click here. Donations can also be mailed to TRTF, 313 E. 12th Street Ste. 220, Austin, TX 78701. Your unrestricted donation means TRTF can direct the funds to go where they will do the most good and meet the most need.
If you or someone you know is in need of emergency financial assistance as a result of Hurricane Harvey, please send your request to help@trtf.org or call 1.800.880.1650 and leave your name and mailing address with Associate Director Cindee Sharp.
If you know friends or family who may be interested in donating to TRTF to help educators, please forward this email to them. TRTF will focus relief efforts on retired and active school employees and the public education community.
Thank you again for your heartfelt and quick response to our call for donations.
Gracias
Thank you for your membership to TRTA. Our hearts go out to those affected by Hurricane Harvey.
If you know a retiree who is not yet a member of TRTA, please encourage them to join.
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