Gains Popularity But Lacks OptionsJune 2008
The
Texas health insurance plan for teachers that has gained tremendous popularity in recent years originally started out as a last-ditch effort to save teaching jobs and provide coverage in the smallest school districts.
And today, while it offers medical insurance for 9 out of 10 teaching districts and 335,000 employees and dependents, some teachers feel that the options under this coverage are too limited.
On the one hand, the TRS-ActiveCare medical insurance plan for teachers has enjoyed smaller premiums since its inception 5 years ago. It also hasn't seen premiums go up in the last year, a minor miracle compared to the fees that others are paying.
The secret to this coverage is that while most people are struggling to find a Texas health insurance plan they can afford, the TRS plan is actually a group health plan of enormous proportions. The number of employees participating allows them to work towards lower costs and smaller premiums.
But some teacher's unions are arguing that unlike standard state-run Texas health insurance programs, the TRS plan doesn't offer as many benefits. Issues with TRS include very high premiums for family health insurance, and confusing information regarding exactly what employees will be required to pay.
Facts on:
Texas Health Insurance for Teachers
Did you know...
Texas' TRS-ActiveCare medical insurance covers 335,000 teachers and their dependents?
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Many teachers' groups would like to see the TRS plan improved to mirror the
medical insurance offered to other state employees, where employees' premiums are paid 100% by the state, and are paid at 50% for dependents.
Unfortunately, with tight state budgeting, the recent economic downturn, and lots of legislative opposition, it isn't likely that these groups will get their way. In the mean time, those teachers covered by TRS should carefully read the fine print when it comes to their coverage, and search around online for good family health insurance rates for their loved ones.
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