Insurance & Perks

HealthSelect of Texas is a network-based, point-of-service health plan administered by Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Texas (BCBSTX). It is available to active TSTC employees and their dependents who live or work in Texas and are part of the Texas Employees Group Benefits Program. 

You can contact HealthSelect of Texas with general questions at (800) 252-8039 (TTY: 711) during specified hours. A Nurseline is available 24/7 at (800) 581-0368. A 24/7 Mental Health Line is available by calling the main number and asking for a mental health clinician. BCBSTX Personal Health Assistants are available at (800) 252-8039 (TTY: 711) during specified hours to assist with benefits, finding providers, prior authorizations, and more.

For TSTC employees 65 or older, or have a disability that qualifies them for Medicare, ERS provides FAQs about Medicare for state employees. You can also read the official U.S. government Medicare handbook, Medicare & You 2027.

Welcome to State of Texas employment and to the valuable benefits managed by the Employees Retirement System of Texas (ERS). ERS offers competitive benefits to enhance the lives of its members.  These benefits are an important part of your overall compensation package. They can help you and your family achieve better health and greater financial security.

• New Employee Benefits Guide

If you are an active state employee and you have other group health insurance that is comparable to the Texas Employees Group Benefits Program (GBP) health insurance, you are eligible to opt-out of your GBP health insurance. Eligible employees can sign up for a monthly Opt-Out Credit to apply toward the premium for certain optional benefits.

When you experience a qualifying life event (QLE), you have the opportunity to add or change coverage for yourself or additional family members within the first 31 days of the event.

• Active Employees

• Retirees

It’s important to select the individuals who will receive your retirement account and life insurance benefits in the event of your death. This person is called your beneficiary. You can have more than one beneficiary. You can change your beneficiaries at any time.

• How to add and designate beneficiaries in ERS Online

• Name a Beneficiary in TRS

ERS works with Alight Solutions to verify that eligible employees’ and retirees’ dependents are eligible to participate in Texas Employees Group Benefits Program (GBP) plans, such as health insurance and dental coverage. Dependent verification helps prevent fraud by ensuring that only eligible dependents receive coverage.

• Dependent Eligibility Verification site 

Texas law authorizes ERS to charge a premium to any person enrolled in a Texas Employees Group Benefits Program (GBP) health plan who uses tobacco products, including e-cigarettes and any vaping products. ERS’ tobacco policy provides an incentive for health plan participants to stop using tobacco products and supports ERS’ efforts to promote healthy behaviors.

Our EAP is available to provide confidential support to employees and their dependents. It’s free to use and offers a variety of helpful resources.

• TELUS Health Login

  • username & password are at the bottom of the second page in this brochure

As a higher education institution, we are committed to supporting lifelong learning and the growth of our employees and their families. Employees are encouraged to pursue educational opportunities at TSTC or other accredited institutions of higher education. To help support these goals, eligible employees may request work schedule adjustments or release time for educational pursuits and may also take advantage of reduced TSTC tuition and fees for themselves and their eligible dependents.

• TSTC Employee Education Benefit

• Dependents TSTC Education

• Employee Release Time & Public Service Student Loan Forgiveness (PSLF)

The Discount Purchase Program is an online marketplace administered by Beneplace and offered to employees and retirees participating in the Texas Employees Group Benefits Program (GBP). The Discount Purchase Program is not an ERS-sponsored program. The Discount Purchase Program is provided at no cost to you, and ERS does not benefit from your participation. ERS continually evaluates the overall use of the site to ensure employees and retirees find it helpful.

Spot Pet Insurance provides coverage for your veterinary bills when your dog or cat suffers an unexpected illness or injury.

CLCHOT are the low-Interest employer-based small dollar loan program as an alternative to costly payday & auto title lenders. 

CLC ID PROTECTION is a comprehensive identity theft protection program available for individuals and families. We defend you against identity theft in three distinct and unique ways; ID Monitoring, ID Protection and ID Theft Recovery. Our innovative approach to handling identity theft defense combines industry-leading, proactive monitoring services and identity protection with connected services such as recovery assistance, legal consultations, and financial guidance.

• ID Monitoring - 24/7

• ID Protection - Email/Text alerts 

• ID Theft Recovery

• Connected Services

  • • Recovery assistance

    • Legal consultations

    • Financial Guidance