Substitute Teachers » Medical Insurance for Substitute Teachers

Medical Insurance for Substitute Teachers

Granbury ISD provides health coverage to employees through TRS-ActiveCare. A district substitute is eligible to enroll in TRS-ActiveCare if the district reasonably expects the substitute to work at least 10 hours per week. Hours worked for other school districts are not considered in determining whether a substitute is eligible for benefits through  Granbury ISD.

Although the district reasonably expects substitutes to work at least 10 hours per week, the district does not guarantee that you will receive 10 hours every week. The district’s need for substitutes varies from week to week. In some weeks, you may not receive any assignments. Similarly, the district understands that some weeks you may not be able to accept assignments due to illness or other personal reasons.

If you are a new substitute, you must enroll in or decline medical coverage within 31 days from date of hire. If you are a returning substitute, you must enroll in or decline medical coverage during the annual open enrollment. If you decline coverage, you cannot enroll again until the next plan year unless you experience a special enrollment event.

If you elect to enroll, you will be responsible for the full premium. You must submit payment for one calendar month with your enrollment form. If you fail to timely pay the monthly premiums, the district will proceed with the coverage cancellation process.

You may be removed from the district’s substitute roster for poor performance or misconduct. In addition, you may be removed from the substitute roster if:

  • you repeatedly turn down assignments, are repeatedly unavailable for calls, or frequently cancel assigned positions
  • you do not accept at least 15  assignments per year
  • you do not timely return a letter of reasonable assurance

A substitute who is enrolled in TRS-Active Care and who is then removed from the substitute roster becomes ineligible for health coverage and will be provided notice regarding continuation coverage under COBRA (if eligible). Cancellation due to non-payment is considered a voluntary drop:  Therefore you would not be eligible for COBRA.

 
 

Medical Insurance

Group medical insurance coverage is available to eligible employees.  Detailed descriptions of insurance coverage, costs, and eligibility requirements are provided to all employees in a benefits booklet available from the HR Department or online.
 
Group medical insurance coverage is provided through TRS-ActiveCare, the statewide public school health insurance program.  The District’s contribution to employee insurance premiums is determined annually by the Board of Trustees.
 
TRS Active Care
Employees eligible for medical insurance coverage include the following:
  1. Employees who are active, contributing TRS members
  2. Employees who are not contributing TRS members and who are regularly scheduled to work at least 10 hours per week 
TRS retirees and employees who are not contributing TRS members that are regularly scheduled to work less than 10 hours per week are not eligible to participate in TRS-ActiveCare.
 
The medical insurance plan year is from September 1 through August 31.  Current employees can make changes in their insurance coverage during open enrollment each spring.  Services are provided through Blue Cross Blue Shield.  Detailed descriptions of insurance coverage, employee cost, and eligibility requirements are provided to all employees in the benefits booklet.
 
Employees may contact the following for medical insurance information and questions:
 
Blue Cross Blue Shield:  1-866-355-5999 or www.bcbstx.com/trsactivecare