• annual enrollment

  • HISD WHAT'S NEW

    2025 Benefits Annual Enrollment from HISD Benefits and HISD Benefits YouTube Channel

    In 2025, there will be significant changes to the medical and pharmacy plans we offer our employees. So, this information is for you! Starting January 1, 2025, HISD will welcome United Healthcare as our new health care administrator. Also in 2025, we will welcome Optum Rx as our new pharmacy benefits provider. Optum Rx is a partner of United Healthcare. In addition, we will have something called Coordination of Benefits for both our medical plans and pharmacy benefits. Let’s begin with the new medical plans. 

    Under United Healthcare, we will have three new medical networks to choose from: Charter, Nexus, and Choice. 

    THE CHARTER NETWORK triangle spacer
    This network includes all Kelsey-Seybold medical providers. If you need hospitalization, your Kelsey-Seybold doctor can decide on hospital options for your care. This network does not offer coverage for your dependents living outside the Houston area. This plan has two options, Basic and Plus.

    THE NEXUS NETWORK triangle spacer
    This network gives you access to most medical providers in the Memorial Hermann Health system. If you choose this plan, you must stay within the network for your care. There is coverage for out of area dependents that you may have on your plan. These dependents will be able to use the broad nexus network to seek care (such as when away at college, for example). This network will offer two tiers of coverage for certain primary care physicians and specialists. You will be able to search for providers based on which providers have the maximum savings available or standard savings when it comes to paying for your care. There are two options available for this plan, Basic and Plus.

    THE CHOICE NETWORK triangle spacer
    This network has two options: high deductible health plan (HDHP) and Choice.

    The high deductible health plan provides access to United Healthcare’s broadest network and includes a health savings account (HSA) option. Those who choose the HDHP option may set up an HSA account to put aside money to help pay for medical care. The HSA account is portable, and you can take it with you if you leave the district. HSA is not available to Medicare-eligible employees.

    If you elect an HSA, you may not contribute to a flexible health spending account. You may contribute to a limited purpose fsa which can cover qualified expenses such as dental and vision but will not cover any medical expenses. More information will be available on this option and how to set up an HSA account.

    The Choice Network offers access to the broadest selection of healthcare providers, including Kelsey-Seybold and Memorial Hermann doctors. This network also has provisions for out-of-area dependents to obtain care.

VOLUNTARY BENEFITS

  • fsa

    FSA - FLEXIBLE SPENDING ACCOUNTS 
    Healthcare Flexible Spending Account, Dependent Care Flexible, Health Savings Account, Limited Purpose Flexible Spending Account.

    slip bananaACCIDENT, CRITICAL ILLNESS, CANCER AND SPECIFIED DISEASES, HOSPITAL INDEMNITY
    These benefits pay you and covered dependents cash in the event you are in an accident, you suffer a critical illness, are diagnosed with cancer or one of the specified diseases, or if you are admitted to the hospital. These are excellent additions to your benefits portfolio and are cost-friendly.

    disability wheel chair DISABILITY
    This is a voluntary program you can select that comes with a variety of options for salary replacement. Evidence of Insurability is not required but pre-existing exclusions apply. You must also be actively at work for the benefit to begin.

    glowing toothDENTAL PLANS
    Dental HMO - You must select a Primary Care Dentist who will oversee your dental care. There is also a copay schedule for covered treatment under this option and there are no annual limits. If you need specialist care, your Primary Care Dentist will need to make the referral. There is no coverage for services out of the network unless it is an emergency. You are able to change your Primary Care Dentist.

    Dental PPO/PPO Buyup - You are able to select any dentist in the network for your dental care. You must pay a deductible before any treatment beings, even for preventive treatment. If you use a provider outside of the network, you may be responsible for any additional charges that may exceed usual and customary. There is an annual maximum of $1,350 but you can earn an extra $100 each year for three years taking your maximum up to $1,650 if you have at least one preventive visit a year. The Buyup plan does not have a deductible for preventive care and you annual maximum is $2,000. Otherwise, all other benefits are the same.

    Discount Dental -This plan is not insurance, but it does provide some discounts when you seek dental care. There is a network of providers to choose from to direct your dental care.

    eyeVISION PLANS
    Vision Basic and Plus options - This plan covers your vision care and provides you with an exam copay and materials copy if you need contact lenses or if you choose eyeglasses. If you choose both, there are additional discounts available. The only difference between basic and plus is that the plus plan allows for eyeglass frames every year.

    ribbonCANCER AND SPECIFIED DISEASES
    Provides cash payments for wellness and cancer diagnosis and treatment as well as many other specified diseases.  

    life insurance umbrellaLIFE INSURANCE, BASIC AND SUPPLEMENTAL
    HISD provides all benefits-eligible employees with $15,00 in basic life and AD&D insurance. Employees can add additional life insurance for themselves, spouse, or children. For supplemental insurance, an employee can add up to 5x their annual salary. Any increment over that when first hired or over $600,000 requires evidence of insurance which is a short questionnaire. Child life can be elected in flat amounts of $5,000, 10,000, 15,000, and 20,000. Child insurance covers any child dependents.

    legalLEGAL PLAN
    MetLife Legal plan that covers personal legal matters. This plan provides personal legal guidance on a variety of issues and services, such as with will preparation, traffic ticket defense, and consumer matters. Issues related to your employment are excluded. 

  • benefits guide booklet


    Download the 2025 Benefits What's New Guide.

    To verify that your providers are on one of the UHC networks, please follow the instructions below when visiting www.uhc.com
    1. Click on "Find a doctor."
    2. Click on "Search as a guest."
    3. Click on "Medical Directory"
    4. Click on "Employer and Individual Plans"
    5. Review the list of networks: Charter HMO Network, Nexus ACO OA Network, or Choice Network.
    6. Click on "2025 Providers In-Network"
    7. Update your location.
    8. Begin your search.

NEW MEDICAL PROVIDER NETWORKS

Expand All

  • Charter

  • Nexus

  • Choice network

  • All coverage under the networks

  • Pharmacy benefits

  • Benefits Service Center

Flexible Spending Accounts

  • Healthcare Flexible Spending account – Contributions are taken out of your paycheck on a pre-tax basis, and you can use these funds to pay for medical, dental, and vision expenses as well as pharmacy expenses.  You have up to $3,300 that you can choose and the money is available on January 1, 2025. These funds can be used for you and your dependents even if the dependents are not covered under your medical plan.

    Dependent Care Flexible Spending account – Contributions are taken out of your paycheck on a pre-tax basis, and you can only use the amount that is in your flexible spending account.  You can use these funds for daycare, camps, elder care – where your dependents need care or have after-school activities. You cannot use these funds for your dependents’ medical, dental, vision, and pharmacy expenses. You can choose an amount up to $5,000. The deductions are taken out over the calendar year.

    Health Savings Account – Contributions are taken out of your paycheck on a pre-tax basis, and you can use only what is in your account. But you can also enroll in the Limited Purpose FSA plan if you are trying to save your HSA money. You can choose an amount up to $4,300 if you have individual coverage or $8,550 if you have dependent coverage. You can always take your HSA account with you if you leave the district.

    Limited Purpose Flexible Spending Account – This type of account can be used to supplement an HSA plan only. This account can be used to pay for dental and visions expenses and your HSA account would be used to pay for medical and pharmacy expenses. This account works just like the healthcare flexible spending account.

    Note: For the Flexible Spending accounts, you must choose the amount carefully. If you do not use it, you will forfeit those funds. We do have a two and a half month extension for these accounts which will allow any balance at the end of the year to move to the next calendar year but those funds need to be exhausted by March 15, 2025. Please visit hisdbenefits.org for additional information on all your flexible spending account choices and to see more information on the Health Savings Account. Unused funds from the HSA roll over from year to year.