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Please note that medical premiums for 2025–2026 are pending approval by the HCDE Board of Trustees on July 16. All premiums listed are effective Sept. 1.
Medical
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HCDE's medical plans are offered through TRS. From in- and out-of-network options to comprehensive prescription drug coverage and special health and wellness programs, TRS-ActiveCare has been designed to flexibly meet the needs of nearly half a million public education employees.
TRS-ActiveCare Primary
The lowest premium of all three plans
EMPLOYEE RATE | ||||
Coverage | TRS Total Premium |
HCDE Contribution |
Monthly | Semi-Monthly |
Employee Only | $507 | $TBD | $TBD | $TBD |
Employee + Spouse | $1,369 | $ | $ | $ |
Employee + Child(ren) | $862 | $ | $ | $ |
Employee + Family | $1,724 | $ | $ | $ |
* This plan is an In-network-plan only, and you are required to enter a 10 digit PCP number into the enrollment system when you elect the plan. Visit www.bcbstx.com/trsactivecare to find a PCP prior to enrolling.
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Plan Highlights
- Copays for doctor visits and generic prescriptions before you meet the deductible
- Statewide Network
- Participants must select a primary care provider who will make referrals to specialists
- No out-of-network coverage
TRS-ActiveCare HD
Compatible with a Health Savings Account
EMPLOYEE RATE | ||||
Coverage | TRS Total Premium |
HCDE Contribution |
Monthly | Semi-Monthly |
Employee Only | $521 | $ | $ | $ |
Employee + Spouse | $1,407 | $ | $ | $ |
Employee + Child(ren) | $886 | $ | $ | $ |
Employee + Family | $1,772 | $ | $ | $ |
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Plan Highlights
- Must meet deductible before plan pays for non-preventive care
- In- and out-of-network benefits
- Nationwide network
- No requirement for PCP or referrals
- Compatible with health savings account (HSA)
ActiveCare Primary +
Lower deductible than the HD and Primary plans
EMPLOYEE RATE | ||||
Coverage | TRS Total Premium |
HCDE Contribution |
Monthly | Semi-Monthly |
Employee Only | $596 | $ | $ | $ |
Employee + Spouse | $1,550 | $ | $ | $ |
Employee + Child(ren) | $1,014 | $ | $ | $ |
Employee + Family | $1,967 | $ | $ | $ |
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Plan Highlights
- Lower deductible and copays for many services and drugs
- Statewide Network
- Participants must select a primary care provider who will make referrals to specialists
- No out-of-network coverage
- $0 virtual mental health visits
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Medical Blue Cross Blue Shield of Texas
We're Here to Help
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Harris County Department of Education
Benefits Office
6300 Irvington Blvd.
Houston, TX 77022
Email: benefits@hcde-texas.org
Phone: 713-696-8284Erika Ibarra
HCDE Benefits Coordinator
Email: erika.ibarra@hcde-texas.org
First Financial Group of America
Andrew Sipp, Sr. Account ManagerEmail: Andrew.sipp@ffga.com
Phone: 713-502-4616
Compare Plans
Plan Features
Plan Features | ActiveCare Primary |
ActiveCare Primary+ |
ActiveCare HD (In-Network) |
ActiveCare HD (Out-of- Network) |
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Type of Coverage | In-Network Coverage Only | In-Network Coverage Only | In-Network | Out-of-Network |
Individual/Family Deductible | $2,500/$5,000 | $1,200/$2,400 | $3,200/$6,400 | $6,400/$12,800 |
Coinsurance | You pay 30% after deductible | You pay 20% after deductible | You pay 30% after deductible | You pay 50% after deductible |
Individual/Family Maximum Out-of-Pocket | $8,050/$16,100 | $6,900/$13,800 | $8,300/$16,600 | $20,500/$41,000 |
Network | Statewide Network | Statewide Network | Nationwide Network | Nationwide Network |
PCP Required | Yes | Yes | No | No |
Doctor Visits
ActiveCare Primary |
ActiveCare Primary+ |
ActiveCare HD (In-Network) |
ActiveCare HD (Out-of- Network) |
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Primary Care | $30 copay | $15 copay | You pay 30% after deductible | You pay 50% after deductible |
Specialist | $70 copay | $70 copay | You pay 30% after deductible | You pay 50% after deductible |
Immediate Care
ActiveCare Primary |
ActiveCare Primary+ |
ActiveCare HD (In-Network) |
ActiveCare HD (Out-of- Network) |
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Urgent Care | $50 copay | $50 copay | You pay 30% after deductible | You pay 50% after deductible |
Emergency Care | You pay 30% after deductible | You pay 20% after deductible | You pay 30% after deductible | You pay 30% after deductible |
TRS Virtual Health-RediMDTM | $0 per medical consultation | $0 per medical consultation | $30 per medical consultation | $30 per medical consultation |
TRS Virtual Health-Teladoc® | $12 per medical consultation | $12 per medical consultation | $42 per medical consultation | $42 per medical consultation |
Prescription Drugs
ActiveCare Primary |
ActiveCare Primary+ |
ActiveCare HD (In-Network) |
ActiveCare HD (Out-of- Network) |
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Drug Deductible | Integrated with medical | $200 deductible per participant (brand drugs only) | Integrated with medical | Integrated with medical |
Generics (31-Day Supply/90-Day Supply) | $15/$45 copay; $0 copay for certain generics | $15/$45 copay | You pay 20% after deductible; $0 coinsurance for certain generics | You pay 20% after deductible; $0 coinsurance for certain generics |
Preferred (Max does not apply if brand is selected and generic is available) | You pay 30% after deductible | You pay 25% after deductible ($100 max)/ You pay 25% after deductible ($265 max) | You pay 25% after deductible | You pay 25% after deductible |
Non-preferred | You pay 50% after deductible | You pay 50% after deductible | You pay 50% after deductible | You pay 50% after deductible |
Specialty (31-Day Max) | $0 if SaveOnSP eligible; You pay 30% after deductible | $0 if SaveOnSP eligible; You pay 30% after deductible | You pay 20% after deductible | You pay 20% after deductible |
Insulin Out-of-Pocket Costs | $25 copay for 31-day supply; $75 for 61-90 day supply | $25 copay for 31-day supply; $75 for 61-90 day supply | You pay 25% after deductible | You pay 25% after deductible |
Common Medical Services
Plan Features | ActiveCare Primary |
ActiveCare Primary+ |
ActiveCare HD (In-Network) |
ActiveCare HD (Out-of- Network) |
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Network Availability | In-Network Only | In-Network Only | In-Network | Out-of-Network |
Diagnostic Labs** (Office/ Independent Lab) | Office/Independent Lab: You pay $0 | Office/Independent Lab: You pay $0 | You pay 30% after deductible | You pay 50% after deductible |
Diagnostic Labs** (Outpatient) | Outpatient: You pay 30% after deductible | Outpatient: You pay 20% after deductible | You pay 30% after deductible | You pay 50% after deductible |
High-Tech Radiology | You pay 30% after deductible | You pay 20% after deductible | You pay 30% after deductible | You pay 50% after deductible |
Outpatient Costs | You pay 30% after deductible | You pay 20% after deductible | You pay 30% after deductible | You pay 50% after deductible |
Inpatient Hospital Costs | You pay 30% after deductible | You pay 20% after deductible | You pay 30% after deductible | You pay 50% after deductible ($500 facility per day maximum) |
Freestanding Emergency Room | You pay $500 copay + 30% after deductible | You pay $500 copay + 20% after deductible | You pay $500 copay + 30% after deductible | You pay $500 copay + 50% after deductible |
Bariatric Surgery (Facility) | Facility: You pay 30% after deductible | Facility: You pay 20% after deductible | Not Covered | Not Covered |
Bariatric Surgery (Professional Services) | Professional Services: You pay $5,000 copay + 30% after deductible | Professional Services: You pay $5,000 copay + 20% after deductible | Not Covered | Not Covered |
Bariatric Surgery (Coverage) | Only covered if rendered at a BDC+ facility | Only covered if rendered at a BDC+ facility | Not Covered | Not Covered |
Annual Vision Exam (one per plan year; performed by an ophthalmologist or optometrist) | You pay $70 copay | You pay $70 copay | You pay 30% after deductible | You pay 50% after deductible |
Annual Hearing Exam (one per plan year) | $30 PCP copay $70 specialist copay | $15 PCP copay $70 specialist copay | You pay 30% after deductible | You pay 50% after deductible |