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District Financial Considerations

TRS-ActiveCare Outperforms the Market

Health care costs continue to outpace income growth in the public education sector. To minimize the impact of this growing affordability gap, TRS uses aggressive cost-containment strategies that deliver measurable results.

Due to this, TRS-ActiveCare continues to offer below-market rates. In fact, between 2013 and 2024, our cost growth per participant was 48% lower than our peers. 

Based on the demographics and health needs of members, total medical costs were expected to be $532 per month. Through active cost management by TRS, FY 2025 costs came in at $463 per person per month, which was 13% below expectations. TRS-ActiveCare costs are lower than comparable plans in any given region.

To learn more about our cost containment strategies, flip through our 2025 TRS Health Annual Report.

  • Lower Overall Costs

    Compared to similar plans offered by public education employers in Texas, the TRS-ActiveCare Primary plan costs 4% less on average.

  • More Cost Savings

    Thanks to additional funding from the Legislature, the cost for employers is currently 14% lower than market rates on average.

Employer Contributions 
TRS sets total premiums that reflect how much TRS spend on member health care, but local employers determine how much employees pay through their contribution decisions. 

Employer funding has stayed relatively flat, while employees have paid the difference for increasing health care costs, moving to lower-premium plans with higher out-of-pocket costs.

This table displays variations in employer contributions to health care premiums.

  • $23.5B saved through cost containment strategies
  • Reduced pharmacy benefit costs by 12% through market-leading contracts and rebates
  • Over 97% of funds went directly to medical and prescription drug claims
  • Only 3% of funds used for administrative costs, where other health plans can be up to 15%