TRS-ActiveCare "How To" Plan Videos

EDDY: Action.

JENNA: Hi. I'm Jenna and this is my husband Eddy.

EDDY: Hola.

JENNA: On today's episode, we're here with Stephanie, who has two really great questions about getting help with her plan 24/7.

STEPHANIE: What do we do if we need help using our coverage after hours? And what's the best way to connect with someone for help during work hours?

JENNA: Well, there is no such thing as after hours with TRS ActiveCare. Plan specialists, called Personal Health Guides, are available 24/7 to help you use your benefits and answer questions about your plan. The number is on the back of your ID card, in Blue Access for members, and all over the TRS ActiveCare website. In the Health and Wellbeing section, there's a Personal Health Guides page with details about what these plan specialists can help you with, like finding a doctor or hospital in network, getting cost estimates for doctor's appointments or procedures, questions about claims and medical and prescription benefits, and prior authorizations. They can even schedule doctor's appointments for you.

STEPHANIE: That's amazing.

JENNA: My favorite feature is live chat. So if you're like Eddy over there, and you'd prefer not to have to talk on the phone--

EDDY: That is accurate.

JENNA: --you can chat with a Personal Health Guide any time, day or night, in the BCBSTX app. We'll drop the Apple and Android links below. In the app, you'll go to Contact Us down here to start a chat.

STEPHANIE: Thank you, Jenna.

JENNA: Thank you for being here. Hope you enjoyed the video. Check out our other videos linked below and we'll see you on the next one. 

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EDDIE: Action.

JENNA: Hi, I'm Jenna.

EDDIE: I'm Eddie, and we like to do deep dives into health insurance.

JENNA: On today's episode, our guest is Stephanie, and she has a great question about TRS Virtual Health.

STEPHANIE: My question is about TRS Virtual Health. Can everyone in the family use it, and is there anything special we need to do to get started?

JENNA: Your husband and kids are on your plan, right?

STEPHANIE: Mm-hmm.

JENNA: Then they can use TRS Virtual Health too. All TRS ActiveCare benefits are available to all covered dependents. There are two virtual care providers on TRS ActiveCare, Teladoc and RediMD. Both have board-certified doctors, and both are available for phone or video appointments for non-urgent medical conditions 24/7.

Teladoc also offers virtual mental health treatment for adults 18 and older so you can see a licensed therapist, psychologist, psychiatrist, or certified drug and alcohol abuse counselor for conditions including depression and anxiety, bipolar disorder, attention disorders, alcoholism and addiction, obsessive compulsive disorder, and eating disorders. You can even have prescription medications sent right to your home.

STEPHANIE: That's amazing. Sign me up.

JENNA: Well, let me show you. To get started with Teladoc, register on their site, on the Teladoc mobile app, or by calling 1-855-Teladoc or 1-855-835-2362. Links are down below.

For RediMD, you'll register on their site. You can also call RediMD at 1-866-989-CURE or 1-866-989-2873 and choose option 3. See below for the RediMD link.

STEPHANIE: Thank you, Jenna.

JENNA: Thank you for being here. Hope you found this video helpful. Check out our other videos below, and we'll see you on the next one. 

EDDY: Action.

JENNA: Hi, I'm Jenna, and this is Eddy. We explore the ins and outs of health insurance. On today's episode, our guest is Adam, and he has questions about his ID card.

EDDY: Let's do it.

ADAM: This is my second year with TRS ActiveCare. Will I get a new ID card or should I still use last year's card?

JENNA: Everyone's getting a new ID card this year, including people like you who had TRS ActiveCare last year.

ADAM: Even if we're staying on the same plan?

JENNA: Yes. And everyone should get their ID card a few weeks after they enroll. You can start using your benefits on day one of the plan year, which was September 1. Anyone who's new to TRS ActiveCare and doesn't have an ID card yet can use a temporary ID.

Check out the "How to get a temporary ID" video linked below to learn how to get a temporary card. But you don't have to do anything. You can just use the ID card you have until your new one arrives. If you ever need a new card, log in to Blue Access for members or download the BCBSTX app. Remember, you can also call a Personal Health Guide 24/7 at 1-866-355-5999 or chat in the app for help with your ID card or any benefit questions.

ADAM: This has been great. Thank you, Jenna.

JENNA: Thank you for being here. Hope you found this video helpful. Check out our other videos linked below and we will see you on the next one. 

JENNA: Hi, I'm Jenna. And this is my husband, Eddy.

EDDY: Howdy.

JENNA: On today's episode, we're here with Luna. And she has questions about how to get $0 preventive care. You have a question about $0 preventive care?

LUNA: Yes, I'm not sure what counts as preventive care, and what do I have to do to get it for $0.

JENNA: Great questions. Preventive care includes annual wellness exams, health screenings for things like diabetes, cancer screenings, like mammograms, and colonoscopies, depending on what's recommended for your age, immunizations for adults and children, women's preventive care, including contraception and pap smears. And you don't have to do anything special to get $0 preventive care because it's 100% included in every TRS ActiveCare plan. But keep in mind that coding for preventive care visit can get tricky. If you're reviewing a condition with a doctor that you've reviewed during another visit, it doesn't qualify as a preventive care visit.

LUNA: Oh, good to know.

JENNA: But-- and this is important-- you have to use in-network providers. If you have the TRS ActiveCare Primary or TRS ActiveCare Primary Plus Plan. The HD plan has out-of-network coverage, but it costs more than in-network care. If you go to an out-of-network provider on a primary plan for preventive care, you have to pay the full amount instead of your health plan paying for everything.

LUNA: How do I make sure my doctors are in-network?

JENNA: There are two ways. Check Provider Finder on the website or the BCBSTX app. If your doctors are in network, you'll find them here. It's pretty easy to use. But if you need help, there's a great tutorial on how to choose or change your PCP video which is linked below. Quickly, we'll click on your plan. You can search by name or browse by category. We'll choose medical care primary care and family practice for this example.

Now, you can get more detailed. Choose gender, sort by distance, look for a specific expertise. And here are the in-network providers that meet your criteria. The other easy way to find an in-network provider is with a Personal Health Guide. You can call 1-866-355-5999 24/7, or chat in the BCBSTX app. We drop the links to the app, the how to download, and use the app video, and the how to get help 24/7 video below.

LUNA: Thank you. This has been so helpful.

JENNA: Happy to help, and glad you're here. Hope you found this video helpful. Check the other videos link below, and we'll see you on the next one. 

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EDDIE: Action

JENNA: Hey. I'm Jenna. And this is my husband Eddie. And we dive deeper into health insurance. On today's episode, we are here with Adam, who has questions about mental health care options for his teenage daughter.

ADAM: Our teenager's have been showing signs of anxiety, and we want to get her help. What are our options for mental health care?

JENNA: I'm sorry to hear that. Thankfully, you have really good mental health coverage with TRS-ActiveCare. You can see a therapist, psychiatrist, or other mental health professional. And your plan covers mental health care at the same rate as medical care. You don't need a referral for mental health care, either.

ADAM: That's great.

JENNA: You can use Provider Finder to find an in-network therapist or other mental health professional. Some therapists are still offering virtual appointments. So click the button for Telehealth if you think that's a good option.

You can also call a plan specialist, called a Personal Health Guide, at 1-866-355-5999, 24 hours a day, seven days a week, or live chat in the BCBSTX app to find a provider. Let them know you're looking for mental health care. Links to everything we've mentioned are below.

Headway is the newest mental health resource on TRS-ActiveCare plans. Their goal is to help remove barriers to mental health care. So they'll match your daughter with an in-network provider who fits her needs the same day. And they have openings within 48 hours.

ADAM: That's nice

JENNA: Teladoc offers virtual mental health care for anxiety, addiction, depression, eating disorders, and more, online or over the phone. So that's another way to get her care. Learn to Live is an online program that uses behavioral therapy techniques. There are quick and easy lessons she could fit into her schedule.

They also have coaching by phone, text, or email if she needed one-on-one support. You can get more information and links to all of these resources on the Mental Health page. I hope this helps.

ADAM: Thank you, Jenna. This was very helpful.

JENNA: And thank you for being here. Hope you found this video helpful. Check out our other videos link below. And we will see you on the next one. 

JENNA: Hi. I'm Jenna.

EDDY: And I'm Eddy, and we like to do deep dives into health insurance.

JENNA: On today's episode, Luna is our guest. And we teach her how to use a health coach. Let's get started.

LUNA: I have a question about using a health coach. Is it true I can work with a nutritionist for free?

JENNA: It is. A nutritionist is one of the credentialed health experts available to you at no extra cost through Well on Target wellness coaching. Nurses and personal trainers are also included in wellness coaching.

LUNA: That's amazing. How does it work?

JENNA: The first step is to take a health assessment. That will help you pinpoint the right program. Then once you're registered for coaching, you'll work one on one with your coach on a plan to help you meet your health goal.

You can exchange secure messages with your coach through the Wellness portal or the Always On app. We've linked both of those below. You can also talk to your coach using the phone number on your portal dashboard, if you want. And online trackers help you keep track of milestones and goals.

LUNA: What other programs are there?

JENNA: Stress management, fitness, weight loss. They can also help you improve your cholesterol or blood pressure or stop smoking. And I know what you're thinking. What if you want to do multiple programs?

LUNA: You read my mind.

JENNA: You can do more than one program but not at the same time.

LUNA: OK. How do I get started?

JENNA: There are three ways to sign up. Log into Blue Access for members and click on the Wellness tab. Log into Well on Target using your Blue Access for Members username and password or download Well on Target's Always On wellness app. We've dropped links to each of those down below.

LUNA: Thank you. This has been so helpful.

JENNA: And thank you for being here. I hope you found this video helpful. Check out our other videos linked below, and we'll see you on the next one. 

JENNA: Hi, I'm Jenna, and this is Eddie. Today, we're here with Stephanie to show her how to use the fitness program. Let's get started.

STEPHANIE: I'm so excited about the fitness program. How does it work?

JENNA: It's great because you have so many options all over the country at a discounted rate, from large gyms to studio classes, like bar or Pilates, and you also have digital options.

STEPHANIE: That's perfect for my husband. Can he join too?

JENNA: Yes, the fitness program is available to you and your covered spouse, and dependents aged 16 and older.

STEPHANIE: How does the discount part work?

JENNA: Discounted fees start at $19 a month, depending on the gym and whether you want in person, digital, or both. There's also a pay-as-you-go option and savings for boutique style classes and specialty gyms.

STEPHANIE: OK. How do I enroll?

JENNA: It's easy. Go to the TRS ActiveCare website and log in to Blue Access for members, or BAM, or create an account if you don't have one already. Click Wellness, then go to Fitness Program. Do a zip code search to find fitness centers, and then sign up.

You can also enroll by phone. You can search for classes, check in, and see your fitness activity in BAM, or on the Well On Target Fitness program mobile app. That link is below.

There's another cool feature called Blue Points. You get 2,500 points for joining the fitness program, and you earn more points for doing a health assessment, working out, and tracking your progress. You can use blue points for things like fitness equipment, electronics, sporting goods.

STEPHANIE: So I'm getting rewarded for something I'd be doing anyway?

JENNA: Exactly. And once you start earning points, you'll track them in BAM or on the app.

STEPHANIE: Thank you, Jenna. This has been very helpful.

JENNA: And thank you for being here. Hope you found this video helpful. Check out our videos linked below, and we'll see you on the next one.

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EDDY: Action.

JENNA: Hey, y'all. I'm Jenna. And this is Eddie. Today, we're here with Luna to show her how to download and use the app. Let's do this.

LUNA: I know there's an app I can use for my plan. But should I download it? My phone's pretty crowded.

JENNA: And I get it.

EDDY: Trust me. She does. This app is a huge time-saver because you can do almost everything on your phone instead of waiting to get back to your computer.

JENNA: So when you log in, you'll see your deductible and out-of-pocket information. Here, you can get your digital ID card or see your messages, find a doctor or hospital, get prescription or pharmacy information, access Well onTarget tools. Those are things like health assessment, health-related podcasts on topics like asthma or diabetes, programs to manage stress or stop smoking, and Blue Points.

LUNA: What are Blue Points?

JENNA: So you earn points for joining the fitness program, working out and tracking your progress. And you can use them to get fitness equipment, electronics, sporting goods. You can also track prior authorizations, claims and spending, see an overview of your coverage, and update contact information. And that Contact Us area is my favorite part. You can live chat with a personal health guide 24/7 for help with claims, cost estimates, finding in-network providers, scheduling appointments, or general benefits questions.

LUNA: OK. I'm sold. How do I get the app?

JENNA: It's so easy just text 33633 to BCBSTXAPP. The app is available in English and Spanish from the Apple Store and Google Play. And we've got links to each below.

LUNA: Thank you, Jenna. I can't wait to download the app and start using it.

JENNA: You are very welcome. I hope you found this video helpful. Check out our other videos linked below. And we'll see you on the next one. 

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EDDY: Action.

JENNA: Hi, all. I'm Jenna. And this is Eddy. Today, we're here with Luna to show her how to figure out where to go for care.

LUNA: My question is, how do I know where to go for different types of illnesses or injuries?

JENNA: There's a really great tool on the TRS ActiveCare website that helped us. Check out the Where To Go for Care page. This breaks it down really well with examples and a general idea of costs.

LUNA: So what if I have a sprain and this says I should go to urgent care, but urgent care isn't open? Should I go to the ER or one of those freestanding ERs?

JENNA: In a true emergency, you should always go to the ER. For something serious but not necessarily an emergency, that can be a hard decision. So we trust doctors to help.

LUNA: It sounds like that's a good time for a virtual appointment.

JENNA: Exactly. If you need emergency care, the doctor will let you know. Now, about freestanding ERs, we made the mistake of going to one once because we didn't understand how they were different from a real ER. They are almost always out of network, so we got hit with a huge bill. And they weren't even able to help. So we ended up having to go to the real ER anyway.

EDDY: Which meant paying double.

JENNA: That's why I always warn people about freestanding ERs after our bad experience. You can tell what they are because freestanding ERs always have "emergency" in the name. They're usually open 24/7, whereas urgent care centers typically close at night. And they are not connected to a hospital.

LUNA: Good to know. Thank you.

JENNA: Thank you for being here. I hope you found this video helpful. Check out our other videos linked below. And we will see you on the next one. 

EDDY: Action.

JENNA: Hi. I'm Jenna. And this is my husband, Eddy.

EDDY: Howdy.

JENNA: We explore the ins and outs of health insurance. On today's episode, we're here with Stephanie to show her how to choose or change her PCP.

STEPHANIE: I know I need a primary care provider on my PrimaryPlus plan, but I'm not sure how to get one.

JENNA: When you get your ID card, you'll see that you've been auto assigned a primary care provider or PCP. If you're good with that PCP, you don't have to do anything. If you want a different PCP-- and this applies for anyone on a primary plan, even if they were already on TRS-ActiveCare, you can choose a new one.

STEPHANIE: Only primary plans? What about HD?

JENNA: PCP's aren't required on the HD plan, but they're recommended. I have a PCP even though my plan doesn't require it because I like having one doctor who knows me and my health history.

STEPHANIE: That makes sense.

JENNA: OK, let's go to the TRS-ActiveCare site and click on the Doctors and Hospitals tab and then on your plan. If you know the name of the PCP you want, you can search by name and specialties. If you don't have a PCP in mind, browse by category and select Medical Care and then Primary Care. On this page, you'll see the different types of primary care doctors and the definitions of each.

Then choose family practice, general medicine, internal medicine, obstetrics and gynecology, or pediatrics to narrow your search. This brings up a list of providers. Now you can filter by specialty, gender, distance, what language they speak.

Now pick a PCP from the providers listed and click on View Profile. Locate the 10-digit provider ID number under Provider Highlights. You'll need this PCP ID number for your enrollment application. It's easier than it sounds, but you can also call a personal health guide 24/7 at 1-866-355-5999 for help.

Once you have a PCP, you can change it any time in Blue Access for members or by calling a personal health guide. The change will take effect the first day of the following month.

STEPHANIE: Thank you, Jenna.

JENNA: Thank you for being here. I hope you enjoyed this video. Check out our other videos linked below. And we'll see you on the next one. 

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EDDY: Action.

JENNA: Hi, I'm Jenna. And this is Eddy. And we explore the ins and outs of health insurance. Today we're here with Adam, and we are talking cost comparisons.

ADAM: I'm interested in comparing costs. How does it work?

JENNA: If you've used Provider Finder before--

ADAM: I have.

JENNA: --you may not have noticed the Cost Estimator you can use to research and compare costs for in-network procedures. And it'll show you what you may need to pay based on your plan.

ADAM: Oh, that would be really helpful.

JENNA: OK, so let's log in to Blue Access for Members, or BAM. If you hadn't registered for BAM yet, you'd do that here. Now, we'll click on Find Care and then on Find a Doctor or Hospital. In the Browse by Category section, click on Cost Estimates. Choose All procedures, Office Visits/Physicals, Women's Health, or MRIs and Other Imaging.

Choose a treatment or procedure to narrow your search. And you'll get a list of providers or facilities and their estimated costs. You can compare up to four options side by side by checking the box next to each one and clicking compare in the lower right corner. You can also call a personal health guide at 1-866-355-5999, or chat through the BCBSTX app 24/7 for help with cost estimates and comparisons. And that link is below.

ADAM: Thank you, Jenna.

JENNA: You're so welcome. Hope you found this video helpful. Check out our other videos linked below. And we'll see you on the next one.

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JENNA: Hi, I'm Jenna.

EDDIE: Hey, y'all. I'm Eddie.

JENNA: And we like to do deep dives into health insurance. Today we are here with Adam and we are talking member rewards.

ADAM: I keep hearing about member rewards, but I don't understand what it is?

JENNA: Say you hurt your shoulder and need an MRI. You have a bunch of imaging centers where you can go, but the prices are all over the place.

ADAM: Does that happen?

JENNA: Prices for the same services can be thousands of dollars apart, even within the same region and network. Member rewards helps filter the providers to save you money. And when you choose a member rewards eligible provider for things like MRIs, CT scans, colonoscopies, and mammograms, you get rewards.

ADAM: Member rewards.

JENNA: Exactly. On TRS-ActiveCare Primary and TRS-ActiveCare Primary+ you use your rewards toward the cost of future medical or pharmacy expenses, like copays. For the TRS-ActiveCare HD Plan, your rewards go toward dental and vision expenses. On all plans you can earn up to $599 per person, per plan year.

ADAM: That's great.

JENNA: To use member rewards, you'll first go to Provider Finder to find a rewards eligible location. You can also connect with a plan specialist called a Personal Health Guide, or a PHG, by calling 1-866-355-5999 or chatting through the BCBSTX app. The link to the app is below.

Once you find the eligible location you like, ask your PCP for a referral and then call and make an appointment. If you're on the HD Plan, you don't need a referral. A PHG can also schedule the appointment for you. When everything is wrapped up, your reward is deposited into a health care account for you to use. It works a little differently on the HD Plan. You'll submit a reimbursement form after you have dental or vision expenses.

ADAM: Thank you for going over that.

JENNA: You're so welcome and thank you for being here. Hope you found this video helpful. Check out our other videos linked below and we will see you on the next one. 

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EDDY: Action.

JENNA: Hi. I'm Jenna. And this is my husband, Eddy. We explore the ins and outs of health insurance. We're here with Stephanie, who has questions about getting a referral.

STEPHANIE: When do I need a referral?

JENNA: Your family is on TRS ActiveCare Primary Plus, right?

STEPHANIE: Yes.

JENNA: So TRS ActiveCare Primary and TRS ActiveCare Primary Plus plans require a referral from your Primary Care Provider, or PCP, before you can see a specialist. People on the HD plan don't need a referral. They can see specialists without talking to a PCP first.

STEPHANIE: Do all PCPs handle referrals the same way?

JENNA: Not necessarily, so you'll want to ask your PCP a few questions. Can I ask for a certain specialist, or does your office need to recommend one? Do I need to see you before you give a referral? And if so, can it be done virtually? Can I request a referral over the phone or in an online patient portal? Can you refer me to more than one specialist at a time? How long do I typically need to wait between a request and a referral? Do you require a follow-up appointment after a specialist visit? And how long does my referral last?

STEPHANIE: Do I need a referral for emergency care?

JENNA: No. And you don't need one for annual well-woman visits or in-network mental health specialists either. There are a few more things you should know. You don't have to ask your PCP for a referral every time you see a specialist. Ask the specialist how many approved visits you have. A specialist can't recommend you to another specialist. Only your PCP can. If you change your PCP during a treatment period with a specialist, you may have to get a new referral.

For more questions about referrals, call a personal health guide at 1-866-355-5999. Or chat through the BCBSTX app 24 hours a day, seven days a week. That link is below.

STEPHANIE: Thank you, Jenna. This has been very helpful.

JENNA: And thank you. Hope you found this video helpful. Check out the other videos linked below. And we'll see you on the next one.