Medicare-eligible retirees: Your chance to make benefits changes begins soon

It's that time of year again. If you're a Medicare-eligible retiree, you can change your benefits elections during Fall Enrollment, October 26 through November 13.

While the coronavirus pandemic is preventing us from hosting in-person Fall Enrollment fairs, be sure to check your Fall Enrollment packet and the ERS website to learn how you can connect with us through online webinars and phone-in information sessions.

Read more about Fall Enrollment and information sessions.

UnitedHealthcare to become insurer for HealthSelect Medicare Advantage starting Jan. 1

The insurer for the HealthSelect^SM Medicare Advantage Plan preferred provider organization (MA PPO) is changing from Humana to UnitedHealthcare^® on January 1. Your medical benefits may change slightly—mostly for the better—and your prescription drug benefits will remain the same. See what to expect and how to stay up-to-date.

Message from the Executive Director

Change is not always easy, but you can rest assured that switching insurers for the HealthSelect MA PPO plan will be a positive thing for plan participants. Learn why the insurers and third-party administrators for your state benefit plans sometimes change.

Retirees remain satisfied with benefits

Every few years, ERS asks state employees and retirees to share their opinions about their health and retirement benefits. See what your fellow retirees said in our latest survey. Read about the ERS Retirement and Benefits Survey Report.

Don't forget the flu

Don't let concerns about the coronavirus take your focus away from the other potentially dangerous respiratory virus: influenza. Getting immunized may be as simple as stopping by your nearest network pharmacy. See how to find network pharmacies for your plan.

Understanding your life insurance benefits after 70

If you enrolled in Optional Term Life insurance when you retired, after age 70 the amount of your benefit may automatically decrease even as your premium increases. Understand how your coverage works so these changes don’t catch you by surprise. Learn more and see how to view a plan overview from Securian, the plan underwriter.

Don't be spoofed: Avoiding phone fraud 

You know not to give personal or financial information to an unknown phone caller, but what if the call appears to be from ERS? Learn how to spot a real call from a fake one.

KelseyCare Advantage not available starting Jan. 1 

KelseyCare Advantage Medicare HMO will no longer be offered in the Texas Employees Group Benefits Program (GBP) starting January 1. If you're a Houston-area retiree enrolled in this plan, you'll want to stay informed. Read what you need to know about your transition to a new plan.