The information on this page applies to all TRS-Care health plans that are available for TRS retirees:
- TRS-Care Standard (for retirees under 65 and not eligible for Medicare)
- TRS-Care Medicare Advantage (for retirees 65+ or disabled and Medicare-eligible)
- TRS-Care Dental
- TRS-Care Vision
Who can enroll in TRS-Care?
You need at least 10 years of service credit in TRS, AND you must meet one of these:
- Your age plus years of service credit equals 80 or more, OR
- You have 30 or more years of service credit.
You cannot use combined service credit under the Proportional Retirement Program from other retirement programs to establish eligibility for TRS-Care.
A service retiree is not eligible to enroll in TRS-Care if they’re eligible for ERS, UT System or Texas A&M System health benefit program coverage.
You must be a TRS disability retiree (determined by TRS’ pension program).
If you have less than 10 years of service credit, your disability status and TRS-Care eligibility last only as long as your service credit.
You can keep coverage as long as you are a TRS disability retiree.
A disability retiree is eligible to enroll in TRS-Care even if they’re eligible for ERS, UT System, or Texas A&M System health benefit program coverage.
Your spouse (including common-law spouse).
Children under 26 (natural, adopted, foster, stepchildren, or grandchildren living with you who depend on you).
Children of any age with mental or physical disabilities who depend on you. Some types of dependents require additional documentation to establish they meet eligibility criteria.
When can I enroll in TRS-Care?
There are three opportunities to enroll in TRS-Care:
- Initial Enrollment Opportunity, when the retiree first retires
- When the retiree turns 65
- If you have a Special Enrollment Event (SEE)
From time-to-time, there may be additional enrollment opportunities available for a limited time or to a limited population. TRS will make every effort to notify eligible retirees of these opportunities.
Subscribe to the TRS-Care Pulse newsletter and make sure your current address is on file with TRS.
How do I enroll in TRS-Care?
- Submit your retirement application.
- Fill out and send your retirement application to TRS.
- Once processed, TRS will send you a TRS-Care enrollment packet.
If you're applying for disability retirement, TRS will send you the TRS-Care enrollment packet when the TRS Medical Board certifies your disability retirement.
- Complete the TRS-Care application. The packet includes an application for TRS-Care.
- Fill out and send the completed application to TRS.
- Your application for TRS-Care is due to TRS no later than the last day of your Initial Enrollment Opportunity (see below). Make sure to do this promptly to ensure your enrollment.
Pay attention to the dates for your Initial Enrollment Opportunity For Service Retirees, your Initial Enrollment Opportunity ends 90 days after your retirement date or 90 days after TRS gets your retirement paperwork, whichever is later. Disability Retirees have 90 days after TRS approves your disability retirement to enroll in TRS-Care.
Retirees and surviving spouses not in TRS-Care can enroll themselves and eligible family members when the retiree turns 65. TRS will send you a postcard with a reminder and information about how to request an application approximately two months before your 65th birthday.
NOTE: Remember to keep your contact information updated with TRS. If TRS does not have your contact information, you’ll need to call TRS and request an application.
Your application must be received by TRS within 31 days after the end of the month in which you turn 65. Example: If your 65th birthday is April 10th, your application must be received by May 31st.
If you need an application, call TRS Health at 1-888-237-6762.
Retirees and surviving spouses in TRS-Care Standard can add eligible family members when they turn 65. If you enroll in Medicare and provide your MBI number before turning 65, you and your dependents will be automatically enrolled in TRS-Care Medicare Advantage at 65.
TRS will send you a packet with an application about two months before your 65th birthday. You can use this application to add eligible family members. This application must be received within 31 days after the month you turn 65. For example, if your birthday is April 10th, TRS must receive your application by May 31st.
When you qualify for Medicare, you must get and keep Medicare Part B coverage. If you do not do this when you first turn 65, you may have a penalty. To enroll in and maintain enrollment in TRS-Care Medicare Advantage, you must be enrolled in Medicare Part B. You can sign up for Medicare Part A only if you can get it for free.
Once you enroll in Medicare Part B, you must continue to pay for it (payable to the Social Security Administration) or else you and your eligible family members may lose all TRS-Care coverage.
When does my coverage begin?
It depends on when you submit your paperwork AND also on when you want it to start.
If You Apply Before Your Retirement Date:
Your coverage starts on the first day of the month after you retire. Example: If you retire on June 15 and apply before that date, your coverage starts on July 1.
If You Apply After You Retire:
Your coverage starts on the first day of the month after TRS gets your application. Example: If you retire on June 15 and submit your paperwork before July 1, your coverage will start on July 1. If you don’t submit your paperwork until July, your coverage will start on August 1.
If You Want to Postpone Your Coverage Start Date:
Retirees at the end of the school year usually keep their employer’s coverage until August and delay enrolling in TRS-Care. You can choose to start your coverage on the first day of any of the three months following the month you retire.
Example: If you retire on May 31, you can defer your coverage for June, July, and August. Your coverage will start September 1. Write the date you want your coverage to start on the Initial Enrollment application.
If you have questions, call TRS Health at 1-888-237-6762.
What is Special Event Enrollment?
Special Enrollment Events (SEE) are an opportunity for retirees and surviving spouses to sign up for TRS-Care outside of the Initial Enrollment and Age 65 Enrollment Periods.
There are two main types of SEE:
1. Losing Other Comprehensive Health Coverage:
- If you or an eligible dependent lose comprehensive health coverage through no fault of your own, you may be able to sign up for TRS-Care.
- You must show proof that you lost your coverage, including the reason for loss and date of loss and must enroll within 31 days of the loss.
- Example of qualifying loss of other coverage: job loss or resignation from a job that provides comprehensive health coverage.
- Example of a loss of other coverage that is not a qualifying SEE: dropping other coverage because premiums increase; termination of other coverage because you didn’t pay your premium; termination of other coverage for cause, such as making a fraudulent claim.
2. Getting a New Dependent:
If you get a new dependent through marriage, birth, adoption, or guardianship, you can enroll them in TRS-Care. Documentation of eligibility is required, and enrollment must be completed within 31 days (about 1 month) of the life event. NOTE: A surviving spouse can’t add a new spouse if they remarry.