SECTION 41.2. Additional Enrollment Opportunities

(a) Age 65 Enrollment Opportunity.

(1) Upon reaching 65 years of age, a retiree or surviving spouse is eligible to be enrolled in TRS-Care under terms, conditions and limitations established by the trustee unless expelled from the program under provisions of Chapter 1575, Insurance Code (the "Age 65 Enrollment Opportunity"). The retiree or surviving spouse may select any coverage provided under TRS-Care for which the individual or a dependent is otherwise eligible.

(2) The enrollment period for an individual who becomes eligible for coverage under paragraph (1) of this subsection shall begin on the date the individual reaches 65 years of age and ends 31 calendar days from the end of the month in which the individual reaches 65 years of age. To make an effective election, a completed TRS-Care application must be received by TRS no later than the end of this enrollment period.

(b) Special Enrollment Opportunity under the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA).

(1) An individual who becomes eligible for coverage under the special enrollment provisions of HIPAA may elect to enroll in TRS-Care.

(2) The enrollment period for an individual who becomes eligible for coverage due to a special enrollment event under paragraph (1) of this subsection shall be the 31 calendar days immediately after the date of the special enrollment event. To make an effective election, a completed TRS-Care application must be received by TRS within this 31-day period.

(c) Enrollment Opportunity Established by TRS. An eligible individual may enroll in TRS-Care during an enrollment period established by TRS.

(d) This section does not affect the right of a TRS service retiree or surviving spouse enrolled in a TRS-Care plan to drop coverage or drop dependents at any time.

Source Note: The provisions of this §41.2 adopted to be effective August 25, 2004, 29 TexReg 8128; amended to be effective February 9, 2006, 31 TexReg 709; amended to be effective March 25, 2008, 33 TexReg 2553; amended to be effective September 1, 2011, 36 TexReg 5378; amended to be effective January 6, 2013, 37 TexReg 10248; amended to be effective December 22, 2014, 39 TexReg 10028; amended to be effective November 14, 2017, 42 TexReg 6378; amended to be effective August 15, 2019, 44 TexReg 4189