August, September is benefit transition period

Now that you've made your benefit enrollment decisions for the 2005–06 plan year, here's a list of important tips for you to keep in mind as you transition into the new plan year:

Plan ID cards

BlueCross BlueShield of Texas (BCBSTX) will issue ID cards only to new A&M Care participants and current participants who made changes in their coverage levels during Annual Enrollment.
PharmaCare will issue prescription drug cards only to new A&M Care health plan participants.
FirstCare will issue ID cards to new and current participants.
Humana will issue cards only to new participants.
Mercy will issue ID cards only to new participants.
Scott & White will issue ID cards to new and current participants.
UniCare will issue ID cards to new and current participants.
Superior Vision will issue cards only to new participants.
CIGNA will send ID cards to new and current dental HMO participants. If you enrolled in the dental HMO, a dentist will be automatically assigned to you. This will ensure that you receive your plan ID card by Sept. 1. However, you can select a new dentist if you wish by calling (800) 367-1037. If you do, you will receive a new ID card.
CIGNA will send ID cards to new and current A&M Dental participants. Participants can also obtain new cards online. The new cards will include the plan’s new annual and orthodontic maximum benefit amounts.
You should keep your old plan ID card until you receive your new one.
Regardless of whether you receive a new plan ID card, your plan will send you information about your coverage.
If you changed health or dental plans, you may want to wait until you receive your new ID card(s) before you schedule a routine checkup. This will ensure that your health or dental plan has your eligibility information and that you will receive benefits.

Payroll deductions

Payroll deductions for your new benefit elections will begin Sept. 16 if you are paid biweekly and Oct. 3 if you are paid monthly. Be sure to check your pay stub to make sure your deductions match your Annual Enrollment choices.

Bills and bank drafts

If you are billed directly for your premiums or pay them through bank draft, bank draft notices and bills for September will not be mailed until after Sept. 5, and payment will be due Sept. 15. Bank drafts will be deducted around Sept. 20.

Spending Account reimbursements

If you are enrolled in a Health Care or Dependent Day Care Spending Account, you can receive your first reimbursement check after you mail in your first claim of the new plan year and after you have received your first paycheck reflecting your new benefit elections.

Total Compensation Statements

If you are an employee, you will receive a Total Compensation Statement in late October. This letter will summarize your total compensation package for the 2005-06 fiscal year. Your total compensation includes your salary, insurance benefits, retirement plans and other employment-related programs that are available to you as an A&M System employee.

Legislative changes could impact ORP participants with prior ERS service

If you participate in the Optional Retirement Program (ORP) and have previous service with the Employees Retirement System of Texas (ERS), legislative changes regarding disability retirement and buying refunded state service may apply to you. The deadline to act on these changes is Aug. 31, 2005. To learn more about these changes and find out whether they apply to you, visit ERS online. If you have questions, contact ERS at (877) 275-4377.

Deadline nears to buy TRS service for grandfathering

TRS retirement benefits were reduced by a bill passed in the recent legislative session (see article in last month’s issue). However, some employees will remain eligible for the current higher benefits. If you fall just short of meeting the “grandfather” requirements, you may be able to get yourself into that group if you act quickly.

TRS members who meet one of three qualifications by Aug. 31, 2005, remain eligible for the higher TRS benefits:

At least age 50,
TRS service credit of at least 25 years, or
Age plus service totaling at least 70.

While you can’t do anything to increase your age, you may be able to purchase additional service credit to help you meet the second or third qualification:

You may buy back any previous TRS service credit that you withdrew.
You may buy any service you had in a TRS position that was not previously reported to TRS.
You may buy up to five years of TRS service credit for time you spent in active military service if you have at least five years of TRS service credit. You may also buy service credit for time you spent on military leave.
You may buy out-of-state service credit if you participated in a similar plan in another state and have at least five years of TRS service credit.
You may buy one, two or three years of additional service credit if you have at least seven years of TRS service credit.

You must make any additional service credit purchase by Aug. 31, 2005, for it to count toward your eligibility for the higher grandfathered TRS benefits. Some of these options are quite expensive, so you’ll want to evaluate the cost against the higher benefits that will result.

For more information, see the TRS Benefits Handbook (PDF) or the latest issue of TRS News (PDF). If you have questions, contact TRS at 1-800-223-8778 or your Human Resources office.

Any Questions?

Will I receive a new Health Care Spending Account debit card this year?

If you re-enrolled in a Health Care Spending Account, you will not receive a new debit card. You should continue using your current card through the 2005-06 plan year. If you are a new Health Care Spending Account participant, you will receive your debit card by Sept. 1, and you can begin using the card as soon as you receive it. More information about the debit card can be found online.

August 2005