34 TAC §§41.17 - 41.20
The Teacher Retirement System of Texas (TRS) adopts new §§41.17
- 41.20 concerning insurance coverage under the Texas Public School Employees
and Retirees Group Long-Term Care Insurance Program. Section 41.19 is adopted
with one non-substantive change to the proposed text as published in the June
23, 2000, issue of the
Texas Register
(25
TexReg 6084). Sections 41.17, 41.18, and 41.20 are adopted with no changes
to the proposed text published in the June 23, 2000, issue of the
Texas Register
(25 TexReg 6084) and therefore the text will not be
republished.
The reason for adopting the new rules is to set forth eligibility criteria,
enrollment timelines, and coverage timelines for the long-term care insurance
program. The non-substantive change in §41.19(b) amends the term "Eligible
Family Members" to appear in all lower-case letters, consistent with the way
it appears elsewhere in the new rules. The rules will provide guidelines and
timelines for eligibility, enrollment, and coverage to participating members,
eligible retirees, and their eligible family members.
No comments were received regarding the proposal.
The new rules are adopted under the Insurance Code Art. 3.50-4A,
which gives TRS authority to adopt rules as necessary to implement and administer
the Texas Public School Employees Group Long-Term Care Insurance Program.
In addition, the rule is adopted under Government Code, Chapter 825, §825.102,
which authorizes the Board of Trustees of the Teacher Retirement System to
adopt rules for the transaction of business of the Board.
§41.19.Enrollment Periods for Texas Public School Employees and Retirees Group Long-Term Care Insurance Program.
(a)
The initial enrollment period for eligible participating
members and their eligible family members to participate in the long-term
care insurance program shall begin on August 1, 2000 and end at 11:59 p.m.
Central Time November 30, 2000.
(b)
The initial enrollment period for eligible Texas public
school retirees and their eligible family members to participate in the long-term
care insurance program shall begin on July 3, 2000 and end at 11:59 p.m. Central
Time September 30, 2000.
(c)
In accordance with Insurance Code, Article3.50-4A, the
trustee has authority to declare periodic open enrollment and the rules and
conditions for such open enrollment periods.
(d)
The standard enrollment period for newly hired eligible
participating members and their eligible family members to participate in
the long-term care insurance program shall begin on the effective date of
employment and end at 11:59 p.m. Central Time on the 30th day after the effective
date of employment.
(e)
The standard enrollment period for eligible current Texas
public school employees who are covered under their employer-sponsored group
long-term care plan will begin on the date such plan is terminated by their
employer and end at 11:59 p.m. Central Time on the 30th day after the termination
date of such plan.
(f)
The standard enrollment period for surviving spouses of
eligible participating members and surviving spouses of eligible retirees
to participate in the long-term care insurance program shall begin on the
first day after the eligible employee or retiree dies and end at 11:59 p.m.
central time on the 30th day after the end of the month in which the eligible
participating member or retiree dies.
(g)
The standard enrollment period for new spouses and parents
of new spouses shall begin on the date of the eligible participating member's
or retiree's marriage and end at 11:59 p.m. Central Time on the 30th day after
marriage.
(h)
If an eligible individual described in subsection (d),
(e), (f) or (g) of this section is permitted to enroll under two or more of
the provisions of this section, the individual may enroll during the timeframe
of either enrollment period.
(i)
An individual's status as an eligible retiree, eligible
participating member or eligible family member shall be determined as of the
date a complete enrollment application is received by the carrier.
This agency hereby certifies that the adoption has been reviewed
by legal counsel and found to be a valid exercise of the agency's legal authority.
Filed with the Office of
the Secretary of State on August 7, 2000.
TRD-200005498
Charles Dunlap
Executive Director
Teacher Retirement System of Texas
Effective date: August 27, 2000
Proposal publication date: June 23, 2000
For further information, please call: (512) 391-2115