2024-25 Benefits Open Enrollment will be held July 15 - August 16, 2024

During the annual enrollment period, it is strongly recommended that all employees at BISD review and renew their benefits. Most benefits will automatically roll over to match the current (2023-24) benefits for the upcoming year (2024-25), except for Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA) and Dependent Care. Employees currently enrolled in FSA and Dependent Care must re-enroll for the 2024-25 school term, as these options do not roll over each year.

Changes to insurance plans will not be permitted after the enrollment period ends unless there is a qualifying event. 

2024-25 plan effective dates are from September 1st - August 31st.

What's new in 2024?:

To view detailed information on all plan year changes, the BISD Benefits Overview, and 2023-24 TRS-ActiveCare Plan Highlights & Rates, employees can visit the Employee Benefits Portal. 

Employees can self-enroll on the Employee Benefits Portal by following the instructions on the login page, or the FBS Call Center can be contacted at 866-914-5202, starting July 17, Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. – 6 p.m.

To gain more insight into BCBSTX health coverage and utilize the Provider Finder search tool, visit the TRS-ActiveCare BCBSTX Member website.

For detailed information on benefits and to explore available options, employees are encouraged to log in to the Employee Benefits Portal. If there are specific inquiries or the need for assistance, contact the Benefits Department at 817-245-1007. 

TRS-ActiveCare Downloadable Forms 

Section 125 Cafeteria Plan operates in compliance with Section 125 of the Internal Revenue Code. A cafeteria plan enables you to save money by using pre-tax dollars to pay for eligible group insurance premiums sponsored and offered by your employer. 

Elections made during annual enrollment will become effective on the plan effective date and will remain in effect during the entire plan year.  “Pre-tax” elections cannot be revoked or changed during the plan year unless there is a qualifying event.  *See “Requesting Changes to Current Insurance Coverage - Special Enrollment Events.” 

Modifications to insurance coverage are not allowed during the plan year unless an employee experiences a special enrollment event. Qualifying events require proper supporting documentation and include:

• Birth of a child

  • Verification of birth fact sheet issued by the hospital

  • Date of the event

  • Social Security Number

• Adoption

  • Placement for adoption paperwork or legal documentation

  • Date of the event

• Death

  • Death certificate

  • First of the month following the event date

• Marriage

  • Marriage certificate

  • First of the month following the event date

• Divorce

  • Original signed divorce decree (first and last page only)

  • First of the month following the event date

• Dependent's enrollment in another employer's benefits

  • Proof of enrollment with effective date and names of dependents

  • Date of the event

• Loss of benefits due to job loss or loss of eligibility

  • Letter from former employer or insurance carrier print screens

  • Date of loss

• Medicare/Medicaid Eligibility

  • Copy of Medicare/Medicaid card

  • Effective date

Any changes to insurance must be submitted to the Benefits Department within 31 days after the qualifying event. This involves completing the TRS Change Form and providing proof of loss or new coverage with an effective date. Submissions can be made via email to Kathy Foley at kfoley@bisdmail.net, fax at 817-447-5868, or in person at 1160 SW Wilshire, Burleson, TX 76028.

It's important to note that election changes must align with the event, and retroactive coverage drops are not allowed. Switching plans during the plan year may reset deductible and out-of-pocket limits.

Employees can manage their contact information, and beneficiaries and view/change health and supplemental coverage plans through the Employee Benefits Portal.

Benefits Eligibility 

A district substitute can enroll in TRS-ActiveCare if the district reasonably anticipates that the employee will work at least 10 hours per week.

Hours worked for other school districts do not factor into the determination of eligibility for benefits through BISD for substitutes. While the district expects substitutes to work at least 10 hours per week, there is no guarantee of receiving 10 hours every week due to the varying need for substitutes. Some weeks may involve no assignments, and the district understands that personal reasons or illness may prevent accepting assignments.

Benefits Enrollment - Substitutes & tutors

New substitutes must enroll or decline medical coverage within 31 days from the date of hire.

Returning substitutes can enroll during the annual open enrollment. If coverage is declined, re-enrollment is only possible in the next plan year unless a special enrollment event occurs.  *See “Requesting Changes to Current Insurance Coverage - Special Enrollment Events” under Current BISD Employees for qualifying events.

Those opting for enrollment must bear the full premium responsibility. Premiums will be deducted from your paycheck unless there is not enough to cover the full amount. If paycheck does not cover premium, payment is to due to the Payroll officeone wek before payday. Failure to pay on time may result in coverage cancelation for the rest of the year due to non-payment of premium. 

To process payment through check or money order (if payment is not deducted from your paycheck), schedule an appointment with the Benefits Department by calling 817-245-1007. 

To view health care coverage premiums and enroll, visit the Employee Benefits Portal. Schedule an appointment with the Benefits Office by calling 817-245-1007 to process payment (check or money order), if it is not deducted from your paycheck. 

COBRA Continuation Coverage

Substitutes enrolled in TRS-Active Care who are no longer eligible for health coverage will receive notification about COBRA continuation coverage (if eligible). 

For further inquiries, please contact the Benefits Department.

All new employees are required to log in to the Employee Benefits Portal within 31 days of their start date to either elect or decline each offered benefit.

Your benefits are effective on the first day of the month following your hire date or a life/qualifying event date. Benefits premium payments are retroactive to the first of the month and deducted from the employee's paycheck accordingly.

Example: Donna is hired on April 15. Donna has 31 days to enroll for benefits before her waiting period expires on May 15. Donna is having trouble deciding and finally makes a decision on May 14. Donna will still owe premiums for benefits beginning May 1. Donna’s insurance coverage will go into effect on May 1 and as a result, Donna will be retroactively billed for the effective date of May 1.

NOTE: It takes 7-10 business days before an employee becomes active in the insurance carrier's system. Cards are mailed within one week of the insurance carrier's system update. Employees can check the status of their cards or coverage by contacting the insurance carrier directly.

Benefit changes may only be made if you experience a valid qualifying event. See “Requesting Changes to Current Insurance Coverage - Special Enrollment Events” under Current BISD Employees for qualifying events.

Election changes must be consistent with the event. An employee cannot elect to drop coverage retroactively; a future cancelation date is required. Please keep in mind, switching plans during the plan year could cause your deductible and out-of-pocket limits to reset.

Supporting Documents Required to Enroll/Cancel Coverage

To submit a change, complete the TRS Change Form and the Supplemental Benefits Form (only if dental and vision are lost or gained). Contact Kathy Foley for detailed documentation needed. Submit forms with documentation to the Benefits Department using one of the following methods:

Email: kfoley@bisdmail.net

Fax: 817-447-5868

In person: 1160 SW Wilshire, Burleson TX, 76028

Log into the Employee Benefits Portal to view your existing plan, update your contact information, view/change your beneficiaries, and more.

Medical – Contact BCBSTX Personal Health Guide at 1-866-355-5999 or request a new/replacement ID card or print a temporary one through Blue Access for Members.
(NOTE: Blue Access for Members also offers a variety of tools and services, including locating providers in your network and checking claims status.)

Dental – Contact Cigna at 800-244-6224. Group # 3335459.

Vision – Call Superior Vision at 1-800-507-3800 or login to their website. Group # is 323990.

Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Texas (BCBSTX) will serve as the medical plan administrator for TRS ActiveCare. For provider and hospital search, visit the BCBSTX Provider Finder website. 

Contact the carrier directly for specific coverage information.  

• For medical plan questions, contact the BCBSTX Personal Health Guide at 866-355-5999.
• For supplemental benefits questions, contact the Benefits CareLine at 833-453-1680.

You can also view the Burleson ISD 2023-24 Benefits Guide or visit the BISD Employee Benefits Portal.

Medical – Call BlueCross BlueShield of Texas (BCBSTX) at 866-355-5999 or VISIT BCBSTX TOOLS AND RESOURCES.

Dental –  Call Cigna at 800-244-6224. Group # 3335459. 

Vision – Call Superior Vision at 800-507-3800 or VISIT THE SUPERIOR VISION WEBSITE. Group # 323990.

Cancer – Claim forms can be found on the CANCER BENEFITS HUB WEBPAGE. 

Hospital Indemnity – Information is located at the HOSPITAL INDEMNITY PLAN BENEFITS HUB WEBPAGE. 

BCBS of Texas | 866-355-5999 (available 24/7)

BCBSTX Maternity Program | 888-421-7781

Express Scripts/TRS ActiveCare Plans | 866-355-5999

Scott & White HMO Plan | 844-633-5325

Scott & White Pharmacy Services | 844-633-5325

Your benefits (medical and supplemental plans) will conclude at the end of the month in which you resign from employment with BISD. For example, your last day with BISD is May 24. Your benefits will end on May 31.

Different rules apply for employees who resign after the end of an instructional year. For more information, please contact the Benefits Department at 817-245-1007.

Employees and dependents covered by TRS-ActiveCare are eligible for COBRA continuation coverage. Two weeks after your resignation has been processed, you will receive a COBRA enrollment kit at the address we have on file.

For questions regarding the continuation of your medical benefits, contact the TRS-ActiveCare COBRA Administration at 1-833-682-8972 or Scott and White Health Central North and Texas Plan COBRA Administration at 1-877-722-2667.

For questions regarding the continuation of your dental, vision & flexible spending account (FSA) benefits, please contact NBS COBRA Department at 1-800-274-0503.

For more information regarding the continuation of coverage at retirement or after termination, review the Continuation of Coverage at Retirement or Termination handout.