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Posted: January 14, 2010

TRS Compliance

Introduction

The 80th Texas Legislature passed House Bill 2427, which amends Section 22.004 of the Education Code. The Amended provisions of Sections 22.004 change the TRS and district responsibilities with regard to determining whether the district offers health care coverage to employees that is comparable to HealthSelect, the coverage provided to state employees.

INSTRUCTIONS, AS GIVEN BY TRS:

Report # 1

The report is based on your district group health coverage in effect during the current plan year and must include:

1. Appropriate documentation of:

   1. the school district’s contract for group health coverage with a provider licensed to do business in Texas by the Texas Department of insurance or a risk pool authorized under Chapter 172, Local Government Code;

   2. a resolution of the board of trustees of the school district authorizing a self insurance plan for school district employees and of the school district’s review of its ability to cover the liability assumed;

2. the schedule of benefits;

3. the premium rate sheet, including the amount paid by the school district and employee;

4. the number of employees covered by the health coverage plan offered by the school district;

5. information concerning the ease of completing Report # 2, described below; and

6. a compliance statement which states whether or not the school district provides health care coverage to its employees that is comparable to HealthSelect and whether it has complied with the other requirements of Section 22.004 of the Education Code.

Report #2: 2009-2010 Comparability Report Form

Your district is required to complete and submit the enclosed 2009-2010 Comparability Report Form to TRS by March 1, 2010. This form is the only information your district should submit to TRS unless your district receives a subsequent written request from TRS. Do not send TRS your district’s contract for coverage, schedule of benefits, etc. as was required in prior years.

TRS is required to submit a report regarding district compliance no later than September 1, 2010 to the legislature and also post the report on the TRS Web site, www.trs.state.tx.us.  A district’s failure to make Report #1 available as described (again, do not send Report #1 to TRS) or to submit the 2009-2010 Comparability Report Form (Report #2) to TRS may result in TRS reporting the district’s non-compliance to the legislature.

Compliance Statement

The Irving Independent School District does provide a good health care coverage to its employees. This coverage is currently available at no charge for the employee only tier on our Base plan.  The plan is not comparable to HealthSelect. Our plan has a high deductible and a large out of pocket maximum. 

We have complied with the other requirements of Section 22.004 of the Education Code to the best of our ability.

Information Concerning the Ease of Completing Report # 2

I visited the website for HealthSelect (www.bcbstx.com/hs/pdf/benefitbooks/090109u65.pdf) and compared the plan features identified in the instructions and Section 22.004 of the Education Code (www.statues.legis.state.tx.us/Docs searching for ED.22. 22.004). 

Then I made the determination that our District’s plan is not comparable to the Health Select plan. 

Our Acting Assistant Superintendent over Personnel and Administrative Services signed the form and I sent it to TRS.

I have worked with our webmaster to place all required documents on the District’s website.