Primary Department: Commissioner, Precinct 4
Primary Department Head/Elected Official: Lesley Briones, Commissioner
Secondary Department: Human Resources and Talent
Secondary Department Head/Elected Official: Andrea Coughlin Rowley, Chief People Officer
Regular or Supplemental RCA: Regular RCA
Type of Request: Discussion Item
Project ID (if applicable): N/A
Vendor/Entity Legal Name (if applicable): N/A
MWBE Contracted Goal (if applicable): N/A
MWBE Current Participation (if applicable): N/A
Justification for 0% MWBE Participation Goal: N/A - Goal not applicable to request
Grant Indirect Costs Rate (if applicable): N/A
Justification for 0% Grant Indirect Costs Rate (if applicable): N/A - Not a grant item
Request Summary (Agenda Caption):
title
Request for discussion and possible action regarding implementation of the Aetna SilverScript Employer Group Waiver Plan (EGWP).
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Background and Discussion:
On August 14, 2025, following recommendations from the Office of Management & Budget (OMB) and Human Resources & Talent (HRT), Commissioners Court approved transitioning Medicare-eligible retirees to an Employer Group Waiver Plan (EGWP) -- Aetna’s SilverScript plan -- for prescription drug coverage.
On March 19, 2026, Commissioners Court directed HRT and OMB to review the implementation of the Aetna SilverScript Employer Group Waiver Plan (EGWP) and identify options to address problems encountered by retirees under the new plan. Court further directed HRT and OMB to report back with options on May 14, 2026.
This item requests a status update on the review and proposed recommendations, including immediate and long-term solutions for the Court’s consideration.
Expected Impact: N/A
Alternative Options: N/A
County Strategic Plan Goal: 4. Improve physical and mental health outcomes across all communities.
County Strategic Plan Objective: N/A
Justice/Safety Initiative (Goal 1): N/A
Infrastructure Initiative (Goal 2): N/A
Economy Initiative (Goal 3): N/A
Health Initiative (Goal 4): N/A
Climate/Resilience Initiative (Goal 5): N/A
Housing Initiative (Goal 6): N/A
Additional notes related to the Strategic Plan: N/A
Prior Court Action (if any):
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Date |
Agenda Item # |
Action Taken |
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3/19/2026 |
458 |
Court directed HRT and OMB to review the implementation of the Aetna SilverScript Employer Group Waiver Plan (EGWP) and identify options to address retiree concerns and align with the Court’s intent that the transition does not increase costs for retirees, reporting back with an update at the May 14, 2026, Commissioners Court. |
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3/19/2026 |
235 |
Amendment to an agreement with Aetna Life Insurance Company to add certain documents to the agreement for group medical (including Prescription Drug Program and Stop Loss Coverage, Employee Assistance Program and Flexible Spending Accounts) for Harris County and the Flood Control District for the period of January 1, 2026 - December 31, 2026, with no increase in the total contract amount (230107), MWBE Contracted Goal: 10%. |
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8/14/2025 |
3 |
Direction to implement an Employer Group Waiver Plan (EGWP) for prescription drug coverage for Medicare retiree members covered under the group health plan. |
Location:
Address (if applicable):
Precinct(s): Countywide
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Anticipated Court Date: 4/16/2026
Anticipated Implementation Date (if different from Court date):
Emergency/Disaster Recovery Note: Not an emergency, disaster, or ARPA related item
Contact(s) name, title, department: Anne Sung, Chief of Policy & Innovation, Commissioner Precinct 4
Attachments (if applicable): N/A