Title IN, Insurance Code

Sec. 1575.008. COVERAGE EXEMPT FROM INSURANCE LAW. A coverage plan provided under this chapter is exempt from any other insurance law, including common law, that does not expressly apply to the plan or this chapter. Added by Acts 2005, 79th Leg., Ch. 1359 (S.B. 1691), Sec. 39, ef…

Sec. 1575.009. BALANCE BILLING PROHIBITION NOTICE. (a) The administrator of a managed care plan provided under the group program shall provide written notice in accordance with this section in an explanation of benefits provided to the enrollee and the physician or health care pr…

Sec. 1575.010. INFORMATION REGARDING APPEALS. The trustee shall develop and distribute informational materials to individuals enrolled in a health benefit plan offered under the group program regarding: (1) the enrollee's right to appeal denial of an adverse determination, as def…

Sec. 1575.051. ADMINISTRATION OF GROUP PROGRAM. The trustee shall take the actions it considers necessary to devise, implement, and administer the group program. Added by Acts 2001, 77th Leg., ch. 1419, Sec. 3, eff. June 1, 2003. Amended by Acts 2003, 78th Leg., ch. 1276, Sec. 10…

Sec. 1575.052. AUTHORITY TO ADOPT RULES AND PROCEDURES; OTHER AUTHORITY. (a) The trustee may adopt rules, plans, procedures, and orders reasonably necessary to implement this chapter, including: (1) minimum benefit and financing standards for group coverage for retirees, dependen…

Sec. 1575.053. PERSONNEL. (a) The trustee may employ persons to assist the trustee in implementing this chapter. (b) The trustee shall prescribe the duties and compensation of each employee. Added by Acts 2001, 77th Leg., ch. 1419, Sec. 3, eff. June 1, 2003. Amended by Acts 2003,…

Sec. 1575.054. BUDGET. Expenses incurred in developing and administering the group program shall be paid as provided by a budget adopted by the trustee. Added by Acts 2001, 77th Leg., ch. 1419, Sec. 3, eff. June 1, 2003. Amended by Acts 2003, 78th Leg., ch. 1276, Sec. 10A.421, ef…

Sec. 1575.055. DEPARTMENT ASSISTANCE. The department shall, as requested by the trustee, assist the trustee in implementing and administering this chapter. Added by Acts 2001, 77th Leg., ch. 1419, Sec. 3, eff. June 1, 2003. Amended by Acts 2003, 78th Leg., ch. 1276, Sec. 10A.421,…

Sec. 1575.056. TRANSFER OF RECORDS RELATING TO ACTIVE EMPLOYEE PROGRAM. The trustee shall transfer from the program all records relating to active employees participating in the program established under Chapter 1579 not later than the date on which the program established under …

Sec. 1575.101. SYSTEM AS GROUP PLAN HOLDER. The Teacher Retirement System of Texas is the group plan holder of a plan established under this chapter. Added by Acts 2001, 77th Leg., ch. 1419, Sec. 3, eff. June 1, 2003. Amended by Acts 2003, 78th Leg., ch. 1276, Sec. 10A.423, eff. …

Sec. 1575.102. SELF-INSURED PLANS. The trustee may self-insure any plan established under this chapter. Added by Acts 2001, 77th Leg., ch. 1419, Sec. 3, eff. June 1, 2003. Amended by Acts 2003, 78th Leg., ch. 1276, Sec. 10A.423, eff. Sept. 1, 2003.

Sec. 1575.104. TERMS OF CONTRACT. A contract for group coverage awarded by the trustee must meet the minimum benefit and financial standards adopted by the trustee. Added by Acts 2001, 77th Leg., ch. 1419, Sec. 3, eff. June 1, 2003. Amended by Acts 2003, 78th Leg., ch. 1276, Sec.…

Sec. 1575.105. PLAN COVERAGE SECONDARY TO CERTAIN OTHER COVERAGE. The coverage provided by a plan established under this chapter: (1) is secondary to Medicare hospital and medical insurance to the extent permitted by federal law if the retiree, dependent, surviving spouse, or sur…

Sec. 1575.106. COMPETITIVE BIDDING REQUIREMENTS; RULE. (a) A contract to provide group benefits under this chapter may be awarded only through competitive bidding under rules adopted by the trustee. (b) The trustee shall submit for competitive bidding at least every six years eac…

Sec. 1575.107. CONTRACT AWARD; CONSIDERATIONS. (a) In awarding a contract to provide group benefits under this chapter, the trustee is not required to select the lowest bid and may consider any relevant criteria, including the bidder's: (1) ability to service contracts; (2) past …

Sec. 1575.108. USE OF PRIVATE ENTITIES. The trustee may engage a private entity to collect contributions from or to settle claims in connection with a plan established by the trustee under this chapter. Added by Acts 2001, 77th Leg., ch. 1419, Sec. 3, eff. June 1, 2003. Amended b…

Sec. 1575.109. USE OF HEALTH CARE PROVIDER. To provide benefits to participants in the group program, the trustee may contract directly with a health care provider, including a health maintenance organization, a preferred provider organization, a carrier, an administrator, and an…

Sec. 1575.110. PHARMACY BENEFIT MANAGER CONTRACTS. (a) In awarding a contract to provide pharmacy benefit manager services under this chapter, the trustee is not required to select the lowest bid but must select a contract that meets the criteria established by this section. (b) …

Sec. 1575.151. TYPES OF COVERAGES. The trustee may include in a plan any coverage it considers advisable, including: (1) life insurance; (2) accidental death and dismemberment coverage; (3) coverage for: (A) hospital care and benefits; (B) surgical care and treatment; (C) medical…

Sec. 1575.152. HEALTH BENEFIT PLAN MUST COVER PREEXISTING CONDITIONS. A health benefit plan offered under the group program, other than a Medicare Advantage plan or a Medicare prescription drug plan, must cover preexisting conditions. Added by Acts 2001, 77th Leg., ch. 1419, Sec.…

Sec. 1575.153. HEALTH BENEFIT PLAN COVERAGE FOR RETIREES. (a) A retiree who applies for coverage during an enrollment period may not be denied coverage in a health benefit plan provided under this chapter for which the retiree is eligible unless the trustee finds under Subchapter…

Sec. 1575.155. COVERAGE FOR DEPENDENTS OF RETIREE. (a) A retiree participating in the group program is entitled to secure for the retiree's dependents group coverage under this chapter for which the dependents are eligible under this chapter or any other law, including requiremen…

Sec. 1575.156. COVERAGE FOR SURVIVING SPOUSE OR DEPENDENTS OF SURVIVING SPOUSE. (a) A surviving spouse who is entitled to group coverage under this chapter may elect to retain or obtain coverage for which the surviving spouse or dependents of the surviving spouse are eligible. (b…

Sec. 1575.157. COVERAGE FOR SURVIVING DEPENDENT CHILD. (a) A surviving dependent child, the guardian of the child's estate, or the person having custody of the child may elect to retain or obtain group coverage for which the surviving dependent child is eligible at the applicable…

Sec. 1575.158. GROUP HEALTH BENEFIT PLANS. (a) The trustee shall establish or contract for and make available under the group program a high deductible health plan for retirees, dependents, surviving spouses, or surviving dependent children who are eligible under Section 1575.158…

Sec. 1575.1582. ELIGIBILITY FOR GROUP HEALTH BENEFIT PLANS. (a) A retiree, dependent, surviving spouse, or surviving dependent child who is not eligible to enroll in Medicare is eligible to enroll in a high deductible health plan offered under the group program, subject to any ot…

Sec. 1575.159. COVERAGE FOR PROSTATE-SPECIFIC ANTIGEN TEST. A health benefit plan offered under the group program, other than a Medicare Advantage plan or a Medicare prescription drug plan, must provide coverage for a medically accepted prostate-specific antigen test used for the…

Sec. 1575.160. GROUP LIFE OR ACCIDENTAL DEATH AND DISMEMBERMENT INSURANCE: PAYMENT OF CLAIM. The amount of group life insurance or group accidental death and dismemberment insurance covering a retiree, dependent, surviving spouse, or surviving dependent child on the date of death…

Sec. 1575.1601. GROUP BENEFITS FOR DENTAL AND VISION CARE. The trustee shall establish or contract for and make available under the group program the following plans for retirees, dependents, surviving spouses, and surviving dependent children: (1) an optional plan that provides …

Sec. 1575.161. ENROLLMENT PERIODS. (a) A retiree eligible for coverage under the group program may select for the retiree and the retiree's eligible dependents any coverage provided under this chapter for which each of those individuals is otherwise eligible: (1) on any date that…

Sec. 1575.162. SPECIAL ENROLLMENTS. This chapter does not limit the ability of an individual to enroll in the group program if the individual: (1) experiences a special enrollment event as provided by the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (Pub. L. No. 10…

Sec. 1575.163. LIMITATIONS. The Teacher Retirement System of Texas, as trustee, may not contract for or provide a health benefit plan that excludes from participation in the network a general hospital that: (1) is located in the geographical service area or areas of the health co…

Sec. 1575.164. DISEASE MANAGEMENT SERVICES. (a) In this section, "disease management services" means services to assist an individual manage a disease or other chronic health condition, such as heart disease, diabetes, respiratory illness, end-stage renal disease, HIV infection, …

Sec. 1575.170. PRIOR AUTHORIZATION FOR CERTAIN DRUGS. (a) In this section, "drug formulary" means a list of drugs preferred for use and eligible for coverage under a health benefit plan. (b) A health benefit plan provided under this chapter, other than a Medicare Advantage plan o…

Sec. 1575.1701. EXEMPTION FROM PREAUTHORIZATION REQUIREMENTS FOR PHYSICIANS AND HEALTH CARE PROVIDERS PROVIDING CERTAIN HEALTH CARE SERVICES. A preauthorization process used by a health benefit plan provided under this chapter is subject to the same limitations and requirements p…

Sec. 1575.171. EMERGENCY CARE PAYMENTS. (a) In this section, "emergency care" has the meaning assigned by Section 1301.155. (b) The administrator of a managed care plan provided under the group program shall pay for covered emergency care performed by or a covered supply related …

Sec. 1575.172. OUT-OF-NETWORK FACILITY-BASED PROVIDER PAYMENTS. (a) In this section, "facility-based provider" means a physician or health care provider who provides health care or medical services to patients of a health care facility. (b) Except as provided by Subsection (d), t…

Sec. 1575.173. OUT-OF-NETWORK DIAGNOSTIC IMAGING PROVIDER OR LABORATORY SERVICE PROVIDER PAYMENTS. (a) In this section, "diagnostic imaging provider" and "laboratory service provider" have the meanings assigned by Section 1467.001. (b) Except as provided by Subsection (d), the ad…

Sec. 1575.174. OUT-OF-NETWORK EMERGENCY MEDICAL SERVICES PROVIDER PAYMENTS. (a) In this section, "emergency medical services provider" has the meaning assigned by Section 773.003, Health and Safety Code, except that the term does not include an air ambulance. (b) Except as provid…

Sec. 1575.201. ADDITIONAL STATE CONTRIBUTIONS; CERTAIN CONTRIBUTIONS. (a) The state through the trustee shall contribute from money in the fund an amount prescribed by the General Appropriations Act to cover all or part of the cost for each retiree, surviving spouse, and survivin…

Sec. 1575.202. STATE CONTRIBUTION BASED ON ACTIVE EMPLOYEE COMPENSATION. (a) Each state fiscal year, the state shall contribute to the fund an amount equal to 1.25 percent of the salary of each active employee. (b) The state may contribute to the fund an amount in addition to the…

Sec. 1575.203. ACTIVE EMPLOYEE CONTRIBUTION. (a) Each state fiscal year, each active employee shall, as a condition of employment, contribute to the fund an amount equal to 0.65 percent of the employee's salary. (b) The employer of an active employee shall monthly: (1) deduct the…

Sec. 1575.204. PUBLIC SCHOOL CONTRIBUTION. (a) Each state fiscal year, each public school shall contribute to the fund the amount prescribed by the General Appropriations Act, which may not be less than 0.25 percent or greater than 0.75 percent of the salary of each active employ…

Sec. 1575.206. CONTRIBUTIONS HELD IN TRUST FOR FUND. An employing public school and its governing body: (1) hold contributions required by this subchapter in trust for the fund and its participants; and (2) may not divert the contributions for any other purpose. Added by Acts 200…

Sec. 1575.207. INTEREST ASSESSED ON LATE PAYMENT OF DEPOSITS BY EMPLOYING PUBLIC SCHOOLS. (a) An employing public school that does not remit to the trustee all contributions required by this subchapter before the seventh day after the last day of the month shall pay to the fund: …

Sec. 1575.208. CERTIFICATION OF AMOUNT NECESSARY TO PAY STATE CONTRIBUTIONS. Not later than October 31 preceding each regular session of the legislature, the trustee shall certify the amount necessary to pay the state contributions to the fund to: (1) the Legislative Budget Board…