Texas House Passes $212 Million in Funding for TRS-Care, Sends Bill to Governor

The Texas House and Senate came to an agreement on funding TRS-Care and have passed HB 21. HB 21 will provide $212 million towards TRS-Care, the state-run retiree health insurance program.

The funding will help retirees who are both pre-65 and over-65. Gov. Greg Abbott is expected to sign this bill into law.

***All numbers represented in this chart are subject to change. The Teacher Retirement System of Texas (TRS) will confirm the final numbers.***

Non-Medicare Retirees:

Reduced deductibles. (Total cost: $115 million)

  • Previously: $3,000 deductible for individuals and $6,000 for families.
  • Now: $1,500 deductible for individuals and $3,000 for families.

Reduced maximum out-of-pocket costs. (Total cost: $18.7 million)

  • Previously: $6,650 MOOP for individuals and $13,300 for families.
  • Now: $5,650 MOOP for individuals and $11,300 for families.

Reduced premiums.

  • Previously: $433/month for non-Medicare retirees with child(ren).
  • Now: $408/month for non-Medicare retirees with child(ren).
  • Previously: $739/month for non-Medicare retirees and spouse.
  • Now: $689/month for non-Medicare retirees and spouse.
  • Previously: $1,074 /month for non-Medicare retirees with family.
  • Now: $999 /month for non-Medicare retirees with family.
  • Same: $200 /month for non-Medicare individuals.

Medicare Retirees:

Reduced premiums. (Total cost: $35.5 million)

  • Previously: $146/month for Medicare retirees.
  • Now: $135/month for Medicare retirees.
  • Previously: $590/month for Medicare retirees with a spouse.
  • Now: $529/month for Medicare retirees with a spouse.
  • Previously: $504/month for Medicare retirees with child(ren).
  • Now: $468/month for Medicare retirees with child(ren).
  • Previously: $1,106/month for Medicare retirees with family.
  • Now: $1,020/month for Medicare retirees with family.

Retirees With Disabled Family Members:

Reduced premiums. (Total cost: $2.7 million)

  • Previously: $433/month for non-Medicare retirees with disabled child(ren).
  • Now: $208/month for non-Medicare retirees with disabled child(ren).
  • Previously: $504/month for Medicare retirees with disabled child(ren).
  • Now: $268/month for Medicare retirees with disabled child(ren).

Ultimately, the House decided to use the Senate’s method of finance for TRS-Care. Texas will defer payment to managed care organizations to fund this bill.

The Texas Retired Teachers Association (TRTA) will have more details in the coming days about these changes and how they will impact you.

Thank You

Thank you for the thousands of emails, letters and phone calls you sent to the Senate, House and Governor’s office throughout the regular and special session.

The Texas Legislature heard retirees’ voices loud and clear when members returned for the special session.

The fight for funding will only continue on into the next Legislative session in 2019, as TRS-Care will likely undergo another budget shortfall. Your support will continue to be critical as TRTA fights for the most funding possible for TRS-Care.

If you know a retiree who is not yet a member of TRTA, please encourage them to join.

It is only though unified action that we can enact change through the political process.

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