All Things Health Insurance

BCBS will continue as the district’s health insurance provider effective 9-1-25, and all plan designs - copays, deductibles, maximum out-of-pocket amounts -  will remain the same.  Your current plan election has been rolled over to the next plan year, effective 9-1-25, and will not change unless you take steps to alter your health insurance election.  All changes must be made during the 2025 Open Enrollment between Monday, July 14, 2025, and Tuesday, August 12, 2025.  If no changes are made, your current year election will remain in effect on September 1, 2025.

Due to continued rising healthcare costs, the rates will increase an average of 19.9% - specific plan and tier rates are located here .  All deductibles will reset on September 1st.

The ACA family glitch fix, finalized by Congress in 2022, addresses a flaw in the Affordable Care Act (ACA) that made it difficult for families to qualify for premium tax credits and subsidies through the marketplace if their employer-sponsored coverage was deemed "affordable" based solely on the cost of the employee's individual coverage. This "glitch" prevented families from accessing financial assistance when the overall family coverage cost was actually unaffordable, forcing them to pay more than they should have for health insurance.

 With the fix, affordability is now determined by the cost of the family's coverage, not just the employee's. If a family's contribution towards the monthly premium for their employer-sponsored family plan exceeds a certain percentage of their household income, they may possibly qualify for premium tax credits for their dependents through the Marketplace and can choose to enroll dependents in subsidized coverage instead of, or in addition to, their employer-sponsored plan. This expansion of eligibility provides more affordable health insurance options for millions of families.

How can you explore whether you qualify for a tax credit and what plan choices are available?  To get started with a Higginbotham health insurance counselor, please send an email to Higginbotham at  healthquotes@higginbotham.net, or you may call 1-855-850-5433.

Considering Switching BCBS Plan Coverage?

Considering changing BCBS health insurance plans?  BCBS’s Blue Access for Members portal contains some cost estimating tools for hundreds of tests, treatments, and procedures.  Go to https://mybam.bcbstx.com/ for more resources.  

Summaries of the BCBS basic plan highlights and examples might be helpful.  Examples provided here for maternity care, Type 2 diabetes management, and a simple fracture.

Did you know that BCBS provides wellness programs for all applicable covered participants?  One of the best ways to reduce healthcare costs is to stay on top of chronic illnesses like high blood pressure and diabetes.  Maintaining a healthy lifestyle and weight is also an effective tool to stay healthy.  Get started on your health journey by clicking below for:

• Diabetes Management by Teladoc Health
• Hypertension Management by Teladoc Health
• Hinge Health for Chronic Back and Joint Pain
• Wondr for Wellbeing Management and Metabolic Syndrome Reversal

BCBS ID cards will only be issued to new hires, employees changing health insurance plans or adding dependents.  BCBS ID cards should be received by September 1, 2025.  Please do not dispose of your BCBS ID card if you and your dependents are renewing coverage in the same plan.  If you do not receive your BCBS ID card by September 15th, please contact a member of the Beaumont ISD Benefits Team.