Open Enrollment

NEW for FY2026

• For the A&M Care Plan, the discounted copayment for 90-day mail order prescriptions will be eliminated. The copayments will now equal 3 copayments to match retail.
• For the 65 Plus Medicare Advantage Plan (PPO), the elimination of the discounted copayment for 90-day mail order prescriptions will occur on January 1, 2026. The out-of-pocket maximum for prescription medication will change to $600 on January 1, 2026, as well.
• The A&M Dental Plan PPO maximum annual benefit will increase from $1,500 to $2,000 per person per plan year. The lifetime maximum for orthodontic care will increase from $1,500 to $2,000.
• The Graduate Student Employee Health Plan (Grad Plan) deductible will decrease from $500 to $300, and copays will decrease from $35 to $25 per visit.

A personal Health Advocate
Employees and covered dependents in the A&M Care Plan will now have access to a Health Advocate from Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Texas at no additional cost. Your Health Advocate works with and for you to remove barriers and cut through red tape in the health care system, so you and your family can get the care you need. The goal is to make your health care journey a smooth experience. Health Advocates can help:

• Guide you through a new diagnosis.
• Find a doctor or specialist and schedule an appointment.
• Connect with mental health experts to manage stress, depression, autism, substance misuse or other mental health issues.
• Answer benefit questions or solve a problem with a claim or a bill.

New Prescription Savings Program
The A&M System now offers Rx Savings Solutions (RxSS). Use this new tool to compare prices and see what any prescription drug will cost using your insurance. RxSS is a free and confidential service connected to your prescription plan. RxSS doesn’t replace your prescription plan through Express Scripts. It’s an additional benefit designed to help you and your family save money on your prescription medications. RxSS is available to employees, retirees and their enrolled dependents in the A&M Care Plan, J Plan or 65 Plus Medicare Advantage Plan (PPO). Graduate student employees enrolled in the Graduate Student Plan are not eligible.

• Your online account shows if you can save money on current prescriptions.
• Proactive notifications tell you when you’re paying too much.
• Search for the lowest prices on prescriptions on your own.

REMINDERS

Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAs)
If you would like to remain enrolled in a Flexible Spending Account, you must re-enroll every year.

Naming a Beneficiary
It is important to name a beneficiary for life insurance, and the fastest way for your beneficiary to obtain your benefit in the event it is needed. Open Enrollment is a good time to check your beneficiaries and ensure they are up to date.

Emergency Room Copays
For those enrolled in the A&M Care Plan, there is a $200 copayment required for emergency room visits. The copayment will be waived if the member is admitted to the hospital. This copayment is necessary to help offset the increasing costs of emergency room visits, especially out-of-network, stand-alone emergency rooms.