Current Employees | Employee Benefits | Human Resources Home (2024)

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Current Employees | Employee Benefits | Human Resources Home (1)

The Texas Employees Group Benefits Program (GPB) is the insurance program administered by the Employees Retirement Systems of Texas (ERS). ERS administers benefits for employees and retirees of state agencies, higher education institutions, and other groups.

2024 Plan Year Rates

New Employee Benefits Guide

Health Benefits

Blue Cross Blue Shield of Texas is the third-party administrator for HealthSelect™ of Texas and Consumer Directed HealthSelect™. Both plans include a $5,000 Basic Term Life policy and prescription drug coverage. Deductibles, coinsurance, and out-of-pocket maximums reset January 1st of each year. You will be required to select a primary care physician (PCP) and obtain a referral from you PCP to a specialist, as needed.

HealthSelect™ of Texas is available in all Texas counties, and you may enroll based on the county where you live or the county where you work. Levels of coverage for HealthSelect™ of Texas are:

  • In-Network
  • Out-of-Network

For in-depth information regarding eligibility, services that are covered and not covered, and how benefits are paid, you may refer to the Master Benefits Plan Document and Summary of Benefits and Coverages here.

Changing Your Primary Care Physician (PCP)

You can change your PCP by:

  • Calling a BCBSTX Personal Health Assistant toll-free at 800-252-8039
  • Logging into BlueAccess for Members
    • Follow instructions for creating an account
    • Go to “Doctors & Hospitals” tab
    • Click “Change Primary Care Physician”

Consumer Directed HealthSelect

Consumer Directed HealthSelect™ is a high-deductible health plan paired with a Health Savings Account. Designation of a PCP is not required, but you will pay less money for health care if you receive services by an in-network provider.

You are responsible for paying the full cost of medical visits and prescriptions until you reach your annual individual or family deductible. Deductibles, coinsurance, and out-of-pocket maximums reset January 1st of each year.

For in-depth information regarding eligibility, services that are covered and not covered, and how benefits are paid, you may refer to the Master Benefits Plan Document and Summary of Benefits and Coverages here.

Prescription Benefits

Optional Benefits

COBRA

COBRA stands for Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1985. It allows you and your dependents to keep your health, dental, and vision coverage under the Group Benefits Program (GBP) for a certain period of time after you leave employment. This is called "COBRA continuation coverage."

If you choose COBRA continuation coverage, you will pay the full cost of your premium(s), plus a 2% administration charge.

COBRA continuation coverage is limited to the benefits you have when you leave employment. For example, if you wish to continue your health coverage after you leave state employment, you have to be enrolled in a state health plan on your last day on the payroll.

After you leave employment, ERS will send you a COBRA Notification, election form and instructions for paying your premiums. Read the notice carefully and call ERS if you have questions.

Each benefit listed on the website includes a COBRA section in the plan details. Review these benefits to find out about the options available to you.

Changing Your Benefits

Qualifying Life Event

Experiencing a qualifying life event gives you the opportunity to add or change coverage for yourself or your dependents. You have 31 days from the date of the following QLEs to make benefit changes, and they must be consistent with the QLE:

  • Marriage
  • Birth of a child
  • Employment changes
  • Divorce
  • Insurance eligibility changes

Please note: changes made as a result of a Qualifying Life Event that occurs between June 14, 2024 and September 1, 2024 will have to be done via one of the following methods:

  • By calling ERS at 877.275.4377
  • Completing a Benefits Election Form and returning to your Benefits Coordinator at hrs.employee.services@ttu.edu
    • If you are enrolling children, one Dependent Child Certification Form per child will also need to be completed

Year-round Enrollment

You can begin, change, or stop contributions to a Texa$aver 457 Plan and/or Tax Deferred 403(b) Plan at any time during the year.

Click here for retirement information.

Resources

Contact

Employee Service Center
hrs.employee.services@ttu.edu
Phone: 806-742-3851

Employees Retirement System of Texas (ERS)
www.ers.texas.gov
Phone: 877-275-4377

Health Select of Texas (BCBS)
www.healthselectoftexas.com
Phone: 800-252-8039

  • Address

    Texas Tech University, 2518 15th Street, Lubbock, TX 79409
  • Phone

    806.742.3851
  • Email

    webmaster.hr@ttu.edu
Current Employees | Employee Benefits | Human Resources Home (2024)

FAQs

What is the role of HR in employee benefits? ›

In order to increase employee engagement and retention, HR professionals are responsible for educating employees on what benefits are available and what packages provide the best options for them and their families.

What is legally required of employee benefits policies? ›

Medicare and social security, unemployment insurance, workers' compensation, health insurance, and family and medical leave are all benefits that the federal government requires businesses to provide.

How does HR support employees in the workplace? ›

One-on-one and personal development sessions with an experienced HR professional can help employees identify career goals, develop better ways to work with co-workers, figure out how to handle conflicts in a productive way—all things that are much easier said than done!

What is an example of an employee benefit? ›

Employee benefits are also known as perks or fringe benefits. This is the extra pay given to the employees over the monthly salaries and wages. Some examples of employee benefits are health insurance, stock options and medical insurance; these are some basic benefits offered to employees.

What is the role of HR for employees? ›

It is tasked with maximizing employee productivity and protecting the company from any issues that may arise within the workforce. HR responsibilities include compensation and benefits, recruitment, retention, firing, and keeping up to date with any laws that may affect the company and its employees.

What does HR do in compensation and benefits? ›

A compensation and benefits specialist is an HR professional responsible for managing employee compensation, resolving any discrepancies, and ensuring adherence to state and federal compensation laws.

What are the three basic employee benefits offered to every employee as required by law? ›

Social Security and Medicare. Unemployment insurance. Workers' compensation insurance. Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) protections.

What are three things an employee is obligated to do for their employer? ›

EMPLOYEE DUTIES TO THEIR EMPLOYER
  • To do what a reasonable employee would do in any situation.
  • Duty to be honest.
  • Duty to be loyal.
  • Not to disrupt business, for example, taking part in industrial action.
  • Disclose wrongdoing (does not include 'spent' convictions).

Can an employer offer different benefits to different employees? ›

HIPAA does allow an employer to make distinctions in benefits that are offered and in the cost of benefits when those distinctions are not discriminatory.

What is HR not responsible for? ›

HR is not solely responsible for making decisions, enforcing policies, resolving all conflicts, managing all aspects of employee performance, or handling all employee development and training. HR is an advisory and supportive department that works closely with line managers to achieve the company's goals.

What to do when HR is not on your side? ›

When HR disregards your complaints, be sure to file a complaint with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC). The EEOC may investigate your employer and seek evidence, and may even recommend mediation so a resolution can be reached with the assistance of an objective third party.

Can HR tell your boss what you say? ›

Since HR representatives are not legally bound by strict privileged communication guidelines, situations may arise in which an HR professional must weigh their responsibilities to employees, management and the law to judge whether to disclose information.

What is the most common type of employee benefit? ›

If you want happy employees, offer them health benefits. One of the most sought-after benefits for employees is healthcare coverage. Survey results show that 92% of employees rated health benefits as important. It's also one of the most common employee benefits, with 74% of employers offering them.

What are the standard employee benefits in the US? ›

Legally Mandated Benefits. Legally mandated benefits are employee benefits that are required by federal, state or local laws. These benefits can include minimum wage, overtime pay, unemployment insurance, FMLA, COBRA and workers' compensation. Employers must provide legally mandated benefits to all eligible employees.

What is a benefits package for employees? ›

An employee benefits package includes all the perks and benefits provided when working for a company outside of an employee's wages and salary. Some organizations offer a handful of benefits, with the basics including medical insurance, life insurance, dental insurance, a 401k, holidays, and paid time off.

What is the HR function of benefits administration? ›

Benefits administration is the process of creating, managing and updating an organization's employee benefits program. Benefits administration typically falls under the responsibility of Human Resources and involves managing health insurance, retirement accounts, vacations, paid time off and parental leave.

What is the role of human resources in managing leave benefits? ›

Leave management is a primary component of the HR department's responsibilities. Managing time-off requests means juggling staffing requirements while maintaining employee satisfaction and ensuring legal and policy compliance.

Does HR handle health insurance? ›

Hr management is also responsible for staying abreast of health benefits legislation and structures. For these reasons, it is their duty and responsibility to ensure that employees have enough information on healthcare insurance and how it will affect them.

What is the role of the HR function in employee relations? ›

It includes necessary business functions like talent acquisition, talent development and employee relations. In these roles, HR is responsible for finding and hiring top-quality candidates, providing employee benefits and compensation and ensuring a safe work environment.

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