Employee Benefit Changes and Rates

The annual open enrollment period for insurance-eligible/benefits-eligible employees began Monday, July 5, 2010 and will continue until Friday, July 30, 2010. During this time, you will be able to make changes to your benefit elections. Such changes include adding dependents to medical coverage without going through the medical underwriting process; changing, enrolling, or adding dependents to a dental plan; enrolling or changing the annual pledge amount for TexFlex health and dependent accounts; and dropping ineligible dependents from your insurance coverage.

Changes made during annual enrollment will become effective on September 1, 2010.

Go to ERS On-Line to Make Changes at http://www.ers.state.tx.us

100% Dependent Audit for FY2011

All employees that carry dependents will be required by ERS to verify the eligibility of each dependent as being qualified to remain on the plan effective September 1, 2010. The opportunity to drop ineligible dependents will be during the Annual Open Enrollment period July 5-July 30, 2010. Failure to drop ineligible dependents may result in the employee permanently losing insurance coverage through the ERS GBP.

Blue Cross/Blue Shield-HealthSelect
Premium Contribution Rate Changes




These insurance rates are set by the Employees Retirement System (ERS) of Texas, Group Benefit Plan (GBP). The University of Houston System and all UH components are participating employers in the ERS GBP to provide state insurance benefits to our eligible employees and retirees.

Medical Insurance Plan Changes for FY 2011



No Change to Dental, Life and AD&D Rates for FY2011

The employee contribution for optional dental, life and AD&D coverage remains the same as FY2010.

Lower Disability Insurance Rates for FY2011

� Short-term disability rates will decrease from 29� per $100 of monthly covered salary to 26� per $100.

� Long-term disability rates will decrease from 70� per $100 of monthly covered salary to 63� per $100.

TexFlex Monthly Fees Reduced for FY2011

� TexFlex account fee will be reduced from $2/month to $1/month beginning September 1, 2010. The TexFlex debit card one-time fee of $15 will remain the same as FY2010.

NOTE: All ERS benefit elections will be effective September 1, 2010 through August 31, 2011 and cannot be changed during the plan year unless the participant experiences a qualifying life event (QLE). Changes permitted by QLE must be made within 30 calendar days of the date of the event.

For additional information, please call the HR Service Center at 3-3988, visit us in person at 325 McElhinney Hall or go to ERS On-Line to make changes at www.ers.state.tx.us