The purpose of this chapter is to establish school employees benefits board (SEBB) eligibility criteria for and the effective date of enrollment in SEBB approved benefits. The rules within this chapter are applicable for school employees eligible for SEBB benefits under RCW 41.05.740(6).

The following definitions apply throughout this chapter unless the context clearly indicates another meaning:

"Accidental death and dismemberment insurance" or "AD&D" means basic accidental death and dismemberment (AD&D) insurance paid for by the SEBB organization, as well as supplemental accidental death and dismemberment insurance offered to and paid for by school employees for themselves and their dependents.

"Annual open enrollment" means an annual event set aside for a period of time by the HCA when subscribers may make changes to their health plan enrollment and salary reduction elections for the following plan year. During the annual open enrollment, subscribers may transfer from one health plan to another, enroll or remove dependents from coverage, enroll in coverage, or waive enrollment (see definition of "waive" in this section). School employees eligible to participate in the salary reduction plan may enroll in or change their election under the dependent care assistance program (DCAP), the medical flexible spending arrangement (FSA), or limited purpose FSA. They may also enroll in or opt out of the premium payment plan.

"Authority" or "HCA" means the Washington state health care authority.

"Board" means the school employees benefits board established under provisions of RCW 41.05.740.

"Calendar days" or "days" means all days including Saturdays, Sundays, and all state legal holidays as set forth in RCW 1.16.050.

"Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act" or "COBRA" means continuation coverage as administered under 42 U.S.C. Secs. 300bb-1 through 300bb-8.

"Continuation coverage" means the temporary continuation of SEBB benefits available to enrollees under the Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act (COBRA), 42 U.S.C. Secs. 300bb-1 through 300bb-8, the Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act (USERRA), 38 U.S.C. Secs. 4301 through 4335, or SEBB policies.

"Contracted vendor" means any person, persons, or entity under contract or agreement with the HCA to provide goods or services for the provision or administration of SEBB benefits. The term "contracted vendor" includes subcontractors of the HCA and subcontractors of any person, persons, or entity under contract or agreement with the HCA that provide goods or services for the provision or administration of SEBB benefits.

"Dependent" means a person who meets eligibility requirements in WAC 182-31-140.

"Dependent care assistance program" or "DCAP" means a benefit plan whereby school employees may pay for certain employment related dependent care with pretax dollars as provided in the salary reduction plan under chapter 41.05 RCW pursuant to 26 U.S.C. Sec. 129 or other sections of the Internal Revenue Code.

"Director" means the director of the authority.

"Documents" means papers, letters, writings, electronic mail, electronic files, or other printed or written items.

"Effective date of enrollment" means the first date when an enrollee is entitled to receive covered benefits.

"Employer-based group health plan" means group medical, group vision, and group dental related to a current employment relationship. It does not include medical, vision, or dental coverage available to retired employees, individual market medical or dental coverage, or government-sponsored programs such as medicare or medicaid.

"Employer-based group medical" means group medical related to a current employment relationship. It does not include medical coverage available to retired employees, individual market medical coverage, or government-sponsored programs such as medicare or medicaid.

"Employer contribution" means the funding amount paid to the HCA by a school employees benefits board (SEBB) organization for its eligible school employees as described under WAC 182-30-130 and 182-31-040.

"Enrollee" means a person who meets all eligibility requirements defined in chapter 182-31 WAC or WAC 182-30-130, who is enrolled in school employees benefits board (SEBB) benefits, and for whom applicable premium payments have been made.

"Forms" or "form" means both paper forms and forms completed electronically.

"Health plan" means a plan offering medical, vision, dental, or any combination of these coverages, developed by the board and provided by a contracted vendor or self-insured plans administered by the HCA.

"Layoff," for purposes of this chapter, means a change in employment status due to a SEBB organization's lack of funds or a SEBB organization's organizational change.

"Life insurance" means basic life insurance paid for by the SEBB organization, as well as supplemental life insurance or supplemental dependent life insurance offered to and paid for by school employees for themselves and their dependents.

"Limited purpose flexible spending arrangement" or "limited purpose FSA" means a benefit plan whereby eligible school employees may reduce their salary before taxes to pay for dental and vision expenses not reimbursed by insurance as provided in the salary reduction plan established under chapter 41.05 RCW pursuant to 26 U.S.C. Sec. 125 or other sections of the Internal Revenue Code.

"Long-term disability insurance" or "LTD insurance" means employer-paid long-term disability insurance and employee-paid long-term disability insurance offered by the SEBB program.

"Medical flexible spending arrangement" or "medical FSA" means a benefit plan whereby eligible school employees may reduce their salary before taxes to pay for medical expenses not reimbursed by insurance as provided in the salary reduction plan established under chapter 41.05 RCW pursuant to 26 U.S.C. Sec. 125 or other sections of the Internal Revenue Code.

"PEBB" means the public employees benefits board.

"Plan year" means the time period established by the authority.

"Premium payment plan" means a benefit plan whereby school employees may pay their share of group health plan premiums with pretax dollars as provided in the salary reduction plan under chapter 41.05 RCW pursuant to 26 U.S.C. Sec. 125 or other sections of the Internal Revenue Code.

"Premium surcharge" means a payment required from a subscriber, in addition to the subscriber's medical premium contribution, due to an enrollee's tobacco use or an enrolled subscriber's spouse or state registered domestic partner choosing not to enroll in their employer-based group medical when:

• The spouse's or state registered domestic partner's share of the medical premium is less than 95 percent of the additional cost an employee would be required to pay to enroll a spouse or state registered domestic partner in the public employees benefits board (PEBB) Uniform Medical Plan (UMP) Classic; and

• The benefits have an actuarial value of at least 95 percent of the actuarial value of PEBB UMP Classic benefits.

"Salary reduction plan" means a benefit plan whereby school employees may agree to a reduction of salary on a pretax basis to participate in the dependent care assistance program, medical flexible spending arrangement, limited purpose flexible spending arrangement, or premium payment plan offered pursuant to 26 U.S.C. Sec. 125 or other sections of the Internal Revenue Code.

"School employee" means:

• All employees of school districts and charter schools established under chapter 28A.710 RCW;

• Represented employees of educational service districts; and

• Effective January 1, 2024, all employees of educational service districts.

"School employees benefits board organization" or "SEBB organization" means a public school district or educational service district or charter school established under chapter 28A.710 RCW that is required to participate in benefit plans provided by the school employees benefits board.

"School year" means school year as defined in RCW 28A.150.203(11).

"SEBB" means the school employees benefits board.

"SEBB benefits" means one or more insurance coverages or other school employee benefits administered by the SEBB program within the HCA.

"SEBB insurance coverage" means any health plan, life insurance, accidental death and dismemberment insurance, or long-term disability insurance administered as a SEBB benefit.

"SEBB program" means the program within the HCA that administers insurance and other benefits for eligible school employees (as described in WAC 182-31-040 or 182-30-130) and eligible dependents (as described in WAC 182-31-140).

"Special open enrollment" means a period of time when subscribers may make changes to their health plan enrollment and salary reduction elections outside of the annual open enrollment period when specific life events occur. During the special open enrollment subscribers may change health plans and enroll or remove dependents from coverage. Additionally, school employees may enroll in or waive enrollment (see definition of "waive" in this section). School employees eligible to participate in the salary reduction plan may enroll in or revoke their election under the DCAP, medical FSA, limited purpose FSA, or the premium payment plan and make a new election. For special open enrollment events related to specific SEBB benefits, see WAC 182-30-090, 182-30-100, 182-31-080, and 182-31-150.

"State registered domestic partner" has the same meaning as defined in RCW 26.60.020(1) and substantially equivalent legal unions from other jurisdictions as defined in RCW 26.60.090.

"Subscriber" means the school employee or continuation coverage enrollee who has been determined eligible by the SEBB program or SEBB organizations, is enrolled in SEBB benefits, and is the individual to whom the SEBB program and contracted vendors will issue all notices, information, requests, and premium bills on behalf of an enrollee.

"Supplemental coverage" means any life insurance or accidental death and dismemberment (AD&D) insurance coverage purchased by the school employee in addition to the coverage provided by the school employees benefits board (SEBB) organization.

"Tobacco products" means any product made with or derived from tobacco that is intended for human consumption, including any component, part, or accessory of a tobacco product. This includes, but is not limited to, cigars, cigarettes, pipe tobacco, chewing tobacco, snuff, and other tobacco products. It does not include e-cigarettes or United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved quit aids.

"Tobacco use" means any use of tobacco products within the past two months. Tobacco use, however, does not include the religious or ceremonial use of tobacco.

"Waive" means an eligible school employee affirmatively declining enrollment in SEBB medical because the school employee is enrolled in other employer-based group medical, a TRICARE plan, or medicare as allowed under WAC 182-31-080. A school employee may waive enrollment in SEBB medical to enroll in PEBB medical only if they are enrolled in PEBB dental. A school employee who waives enrollment in SEBB medical to enroll in PEBB medical also waives enrollment in SEBB dental and SEBB vision.

"Week" means a seven-day period starting on Sunday and ending on Saturday.

(1) All school employees benefits board (SEBB) organizations must carry out all actions, policies, and guidance issued by the SEBB program which are necessary for the operation of benefit plans, education of school employees, claims administration, and appeals process including those described in chapters 182-30, 182-31, and 182-32 WAC. SEBB organizations must:

(a) Use the methods provided by the SEBB program to determine eligibility and enrollment in benefits;

(b) Provide eligibility determination reports with content and in a format designed and communicated by the SEBB program;

(c) Support SEBB program auditing of eligibility and enrollment decisions as needed; and

(d) Carry out corrective action and pay any penalties imposed by the health care authority (HCA) and established by the board when the SEBB organization's eligibility determinations fail to comply with the criteria under these rules.

(2) SEBB organizations must determine school employee eligibility for SEBB benefits and the employer contribution according to the criteria in WAC 182-31-040 and 182-31-050. SEBB organizations must:

(a) Notify newly hired school employees of SEBB program rules and guidance for eligibility and appeal rights;

(b) Inform a school employee in writing whether or not they are eligible for SEBB benefits upon employment. The written notice must include information about the school employee's right to appeal eligibility and enrollment decisions. A school employee eligible for SEBB benefits must have no less than 10 calendar days after the date of notice to elect coverage;

(c) Routinely monitor all school employees work hours to establish eligibility and maintain the employer contribution toward SEBB benefits;

(d) Identify when a previously ineligible school employee becomes eligible or a previously eligible school employee loses eligibility; and

(e) Inform a school employee in writing whether or not they are eligible for SEBB benefits and the employer contribution whenever there is a change in work pattern such that the school employee's eligibility status changes. Whenever this occurs, SEBB organizations must inform the school employee of the right to appeal eligibility and enrollment decisions. A school employee eligible for SEBB benefits must have no less than 10 calendar days after the date of notice to elect coverage.

(3) SEBB organizations must determine school employee's dependents eligibility for SEBB benefits according to the criteria in WAC 182-31-140.

(4) SEBB organizations must assist a school employee in determining whether the school employee or their dependent has experienced an event that creates a special open enrollment as described in WAC 182-30-090, 182-30-100, 182-31-080, or 182-31-150, and inform the school employee of the changes they can make consistent with that event.

(1) Eligibility shall be determined solely by the criteria that most closely describes the school employee's work circumstance.

(2) All hours worked by an employee in their capacity as a school employee must be included in the calculation of hours for determining eligibility. All hours for which a school employee receives compensation from a school employees benefits board (SEBB) organization during an approved leave (e.g., sick leave, personal leave, bereavement leave) or a paid holiday must be included when determining how many hours a school employee is anticipated to work, or did work, in the school year.

(3) A school employee may establish eligibility for the employer contribution toward SEBB benefits by stacking of hours from multiple positions within one SEBB organization. A school employee may not gain eligibility by stacking of hours from multiple SEBB organizations.

(4) School employee eligibility criteria shall be determined in the following order:

(a) A school employee is eligible for the employer contribution toward SEBB benefits if they are anticipated to work at least 630 hours per school year. The eligibility effective date shall be determined as follows:

(i) If the school employee's first day of work is on or after September 1st but not later than the first day of school for the current school year as established by the SEBB organization, they are eligible for the employer contribution on the first day of work; or

(ii) If the school employee's first day of work is at any other time during the school year, they are eligible for the employer contribution on that day.

(b) A school employee is presumed eligible for the employer contribution at the start of the school year, as described in (a) of this subsection, if they:

(i) Worked at least 630 hours in each of the previous two school years; and

(ii) Are returning to the same type of position (teacher, paraeducator, food service worker, custodian, etc.) or combination of positions with the same SEBB organization.

(c) A school employee who is not anticipated to work 630 hours within the school year because of the time of year they are hired but is anticipated to work at least 630 hours the next school year, establishes eligibility for the employer contribution toward SEBB benefits as of their first working day if they are:

(i) A nine to 10 month school employee anticipated to be compensated for at least 17.5 hours a week in six of the last eight weeks counting backwards from the week that contains the last day of school; or

(ii) A 12 month school employee anticipated to be compensated for at least 17.5 hours a week in six of the last eight weeks counting backwards from the week that contains August 31st, the last day of the school year.

(d) A school employee who returns from approved leave without pay will maintain or establish eligibility for the employer contribution toward SEBB benefits if their work schedule, had it been in effect at the start of the school year, would have resulted in the school employee being anticipated to work the minimum hours to meet SEBB eligibility for the employer contribution in the school year. A school employee who regains eligibility under this subsection, establishes eligibility for the employer contribution toward SEBB benefits as of the date they returned from approved leave without pay.

(5) A school employee who is not anticipated to work at least 630 hours in the school year as described in subsection (4)(a) of this section, may later be eligible for SEBB benefits when:

(a) Their work pattern is revised in such a way that they are now anticipated to work 630 hours in the school year. The school employee becomes eligible for the employer contribution toward SEBB benefits on the date their work pattern is revised; or

(b) They actually worked 630 hours in the school year. The school employee becomes eligible for the employer contribution toward SEBB benefits on the date they actually worked 630 hours.

(6) If the school employee is not eligible under subsection (4) or (5) of this section, they may be eligible for SEBB benefits if their SEBB organization is engaging in local negotiations regarding eligibility for school employees as described in WAC 182-30-130.

(7) When SEBB benefits begin:

(a) For a school employee who establishes eligibility under subsection (4)(a)(i) of this section, medical, dental, vision, basic life insurance, basic accidental death and dismemberment (AD&D) insurance, employer-paid long-term disability (LTD) insurance, employee-paid LTD insurance (unless the school employee declines the employee-paid LTD insurance as described in WAC 182-30-080(1)), and if eligible, benefits under the salary reduction plan begin on the first day of work for the new school year. Supplemental life insurance and supplemental AD&D insurance begin on the first day of the month following the date the contracted vendor receives the required form or approves the enrollment.

(b) For a school employee who establishes eligibility under subsection (4)(a)(ii), (c), (d), or (5) of this section, medical, dental, vision, basic life insurance, basic AD&D insurance, employer-paid LTD insurance, employee-paid LTD insurance (unless the school employee declines the employee-paid LTD insurance as described in WAC 182-30-080(1)), and if eligible, benefits under the salary reduction plan begin on the first day of the month following the date the school employee becomes eligible for the employer contribution toward SEBB benefits. Supplemental life insurance and supplemental AD&D insurance begin on the first day of the month following the date the contracted vendor receives the required form or approves the enrollment.

(1) The employer contribution toward school employees benefits board (SEBB) benefits ends the last day of the month in which the school year ends. The employer contribution toward SEBB benefits will end earlier than the end of the school year if one of the following occurs:

(a) The SEBB organization terminates the employment relationship. In this case, eligibility for the employer contribution ends the last day of the month in which the employer-initiated termination notice is effective;

(b) The school employee terminates the employment relationship. In this case, eligibility for the employer contribution ends the last day of the month in which the school employee's resignation is effective;

(c) The school employee's work pattern is revised such that the school employee is no longer anticipated to work six hundred thirty hours during the school year. In this case, eligibility for the employer contribution ends as of the last day of the month in which the change is effective;

(d) The school employee who returns from approved leave without pay, who maintained or established eligibility as described in WAC 182-31-040 (4)(d), and who subsequently has a change in work pattern that, had the work pattern been in effect at the start of the school year, would not have resulted in the school employee being anticipated to work the minimum hours to meet SEBB eligibility for the employer contribution in the school year. In this case, eligibility for the employer contribution ends as of the last day of the month in which the change is effective;

(e) The nine to ten month school employee hired late in the year and eligible for the employer contribution as described in WAC 182-31-040 (4)(c)(i), who subsequently has a change in work pattern such that the school employee is no longer eligible under the criteria described in WAC 182-31-040 (4)(c)(i). In this case, eligibility for the employer contribution ends as of the last day of the month in which the change is effective;

(f) The twelve month school employee hired late in the year and eligible for the employer contribution as described in WAC 182-31-040 (4)(c)(ii), who subsequently has a change in work pattern such that the school employee is no longer eligible under the criteria described in WAC 182-31-040 (4)(c)(ii). In this case, eligibility for the employer contribution ends as of the last day of the month in which the change is effective; or

(g) The school employee hired later in the year and eligible for the employer contribution as described in WAC 182-31-040 (4)(c), who is no longer anticipated to work six hundred thirty hours the next school year. In this case, eligibility for the employer contribution ends as of the last day of the month in which the change in the anticipation occurs.

(2) If the SEBB organization deducted the school employee's portion of the premium for SEBB insurance coverage from their pay after the school employee was no longer eligible for the employer contribution, SEBB benefits end the last day of the month for which school employee premiums were deducted to prevent a rescission of SEBB benefits. The SEBB organization must refund any premiums deducted for the school employee's portion of the premium that were deducted in advance of any month's coverage for which the school employee is no longer eligible for the employer contribution.

School employees eligible for the employer contribution toward school employees benefits board (SEBB) benefits are eligible to participate in the premium payment plan under the state's salary reduction plan. School employees eligible for SEBB benefits as described in WAC 182-31-040 may also elect to participate in the medical FSA, limited purpose FSA, or DCAP programs provided they elect participation within the time frames described in WAC 182-30-100.

School employees benefits board (SEBB) medical, dental, and vision coverage is limited to a single enrollment per individual as described in subsections (1) through (5) of this section. Effective January 1, 2022, individuals are limited to a single enrollment in medical, dental, and vision plans in either the SEBB program or public employees benefits board (PEBB) program as described in subsection (6) of this section.

(1) An individual who has more than one source of eligibility for enrollment in SEBB medical, SEBB dental, and SEBB vision coverage (called "dual eligibility") is limited to one enrollment.

(2) An eligible school employee may waive SEBB medical and enroll as a dependent under the SEBB medical plan of their spouse, state registered domestic partner, or parent as described in WAC 182-31-080.

(3) A dependent enrolled in SEBB medical, SEBB dental, or SEBB vision who becomes eligible for SEBB benefits as a school employee must elect to enroll in SEBB benefits as described in WAC 182-30-080(1). This includes making an election to enroll in or waive enrollment in SEBB medical as described in WAC 182-31-080 (1)(a).

(a) If the school employee does not waive enrollment in SEBB medical, the school employee is not eligible to remain enrolled in their spouse's, state registered domestic partner's, or parent's SEBB medical as a dependent. If the school employee's spouse, state registered domestic partner, or parent does not take action to remove the school employee (who is enrolled as a dependent) from their subscriber account, the SEBB program will automatically disenroll the school employee's enrollment as a dependent the last day of the month before the school employee's enrollment in SEBB benefits begins as described in WAC 182-31-040.

(b) If the school employee elects to waive their enrollment in SEBB medical, the school employee will remain enrolled in SEBB medical under their spouse's, state registered domestic partner's, or parent's SEBB medical as a dependent.

(4) A child who is eligible for SEBB medical, SEBB dental, and SEBB vision under two subscribers may be enrolled under both subscribers but is limited to a single enrollment in SEBB medical, a single enrollment in SEBB dental, and a single enrollment in SEBB vision.

(5) When a school employee is eligible for the employer contribution toward SEBB benefits due to employment in more than one SEBB organization the following provisions apply:

(a) When a school employee is eligible for the employer contribution during a school year under WAC 182-31-040 and 182-30-130 the SEBB organization that has determined the school employee eligible under WAC 182-31-040 must make the employer contribution;

(b) If the school employee is eligible for the employer contribution under WAC 182-31-040 at two different SEBB organizations, the school employee must choose to enroll under only one SEBB organization;

(c) If the school employee is eligible for the employer contribution under WAC 182-30-130 at two different SEBB organizations, the school employee must choose to enroll under only one SEBB organization;

(d) If the school employee loses eligibility under one SEBB organization, they must notify their other SEBB organization no later than 60 days from the date of loss of the first SEBB benefits in order to transfer coverage;

(e) The school employee's elections remain the same when a school employee transfers their enrollment under one SEBB organization to another SEBB organization without a break in SEBB benefits for one month or more, as described in (d) of this subsection.

(6) An individual who has more than one source of eligibility for enrollment in the SEBB and PEBB programs is limited to a single enrollment in medical, dental, and vision plans in either the SEBB or PEBB program. A school employee must elect to enroll in SEBB benefits as described in WAC 182-30-080, waive enrollment as described in WAC 182-31-080, or remove eligible dependents as described in WAC 182-31-150. If the school employee takes no action to resolve the dual enrollment, the SEBB program or the PEBB program will automatically enroll or automatically disenroll the individual as described in (c) through (g) of this subsection.

(a) An eligible school employee may waive enrollment in SEBB medical to enroll in PEBB medical only if they are enrolled in PEBB dental as described in WAC 182-31-080. A school employee who waives enrollment in SEBB medical to enroll in PEBB medical also waives enrollment in SEBB dental and SEBB vision.

(b) An employee in the PEBB program who waives PEBB medical and PEBB dental for SEBB medical must be enrolled in SEBB dental and SEBB vision. If the employee is not already enrolled in SEBB dental and SEBB vision, the SEBB program will automatically enroll the employee in the associated subscriber's SEBB dental and SEBB vision.

(c) If the school employee is enrolled only in SEBB dental and SEBB vision, and is also enrolled in PEBB medical, and no action is taken to resolve their dual enrollment, the school employee will remain in PEBB medical. The SEBB program will automatically disenroll the school employee from SEBB dental and SEBB vision in which they are enrolled. If the school employee is not already enrolled in PEBB dental, the PEBB program will automatically enroll them in PEBB dental as described in WAC 182-12-123 (6)(h). The school employee's enrollment in SEBB program life insurance, accidental death and dismemberment (AD&D) insurance, and long-term disability (LTD) insurance will remain.

(d) If the school employee is enrolled in SEBB medical and is also an employee in the PEBB program enrolled in PEBB medical, and the school employee has been enrolled in PEBB medical longer than they have been enrolled in SEBB medical, and no action is taken by the school employee to resolve their dual enrollment, they will remain in PEBB medical. The SEBB program will automatically disenroll the school employee from SEBB medical, SEBB dental, and SEBB vision. The school employee's enrollment in SEBB program life insurance, AD&D insurance, and LTD insurance will remain. If the school employee is not enrolled in medical under either the PEBB or SEBB program but is enrolled only in PEBB dental, SEBB dental, and SEBB vision, the school employee will remain in SEBB dental and SEBB vision. The PEBB program will automatically disenroll the school employee from PEBB dental.

(e) If the school employee's dependent is enrolled in any SEBB medical, SEBB dental, or SEBB vision plan, and the dependent is also an employee in the PEBB program and enrolled in PEBB medical, and no action is taken by either the school employee or the dependent to resolve the dependent's dual enrollment, the school employee's dependent will remain in PEBB medical. The SEBB program will automatically disenroll the school employee's dependent from SEBB medical, SEBB dental, and SEBB vision in which they are enrolled.

(f) If the school employee's dependent is enrolled in both SEBB medical and PEBB medical as a dependent and has been enrolled in PEBB medical longer than they have been enrolled in SEBB medical, and no action is taken to resolve the dual enrollment, the school employee's dependent will remain in PEBB medical. The SEBB program will automatically disenroll the school employee's dependent from SEBB medical, SEBB dental, and SEBB vision if they are enrolled. If the school employee's dependent who is eligible as a dependent in both the SEBB and PEBB programs is not enrolled in any medical but is enrolled only in PEBB dental and SEBB vision (with or without SEBB dental) as a dependent, the dependent will remain in SEBB vision and if enrolled, SEBB dental. The PEBB program will automatically disenroll the dependent from PEBB dental.

(g) If the school employee's dependent, who is also an employee in the PEBB program who the PEBB program automatically disenrolled from PEBB dental, the SEBB program will automatically enroll the school employee's dependent in SEBB vision. The SEBB program will also automatically enroll the school employee's dependent in SEBB dental, if they are not already enrolled.

(h) If the school employee who is eligible for the employer contribution toward SEBB benefits was enrolled as a dependent in PEBB medical and PEBB dental and is removed by the PEBB subscriber, the school employee will be required to return from waived enrollment as described in WAC 182-31-080 (3)(b).

(i) If the SEBB program automatically disenrolls an individual from SEBB medical, SEBB dental, or SEBB vision to resolve their dual enrollment as described in (d), (e), or (f) of this subsection, but later determines that the school employee did take action to resolve their dual enrollment within the required timelines, the SEBB program will reinstate coverage retroactive to the first of the month in which the individual was disenrolled.

A school employee may waive enrollment in school employees benefits board (SEBB) medical if they are enrolled in other employer-based group medical, a TRICARE plan, or medicare as described in subsection (1)(a) through (c) of this section. A school employee who waives enrollment in SEBB medical must enroll in SEBB dental, SEBB vision, basic life insurance, basic accidental death and dismemberment (AD&D) insurance, and employer-paid long-term disability (LTD) insurance. A school employee will also be enrolled in employee-paid LTD insurance automatically unless the school employee declines their employee-paid LTD insurance as described in WAC 182-30-080.

(1) To waive enrollment in SEBB medical, the school employee must submit the required form to their SEBB organization at one of the following times:

(a) When the school employee becomes eligible: A school employee may waive SEBB medical when they become eligible for SEBB benefits. The school employee must indicate their election to waive enrollment in SEBB medical on the required form and submit the form to their SEBB organization. The SEBB organization must receive the form no later than 31 days after the date the school employee becomes eligible for SEBB benefits (see WAC 182-30-080). SEBB medical will be waived as of the date the school employee becomes eligible for SEBB benefits.

(b) During the annual open enrollment: A school employee may waive SEBB medical during the annual open enrollment. The required form must be received by the school employee's SEBB organization before the end of the annual open enrollment. SEBB medical will be waived beginning January 1st of the following year.

(c) During a special open enrollment: A school employee may waive SEBB medical during a special open enrollment only if they are enrolled in other employer-based group medical, a TRICARE plan, or medicare as described in subsection (4) of this section. A special open enrollment event must be an event other than a school employee gaining initial eligibility or regaining eligibility for SEBB benefits.

The school employee must submit the required form to their SEBB organization. The SEBB organization must receive the form no later than 60 days after the event that creates the special open enrollment. In addition to the required form, the school employee must provide evidence of the event that creates the special open enrollment to their SEBB organization.

SEBB medical will be waived the last day of the month following the later of the event date or the date the required form is received. If that day is the first of the month, SEBB medical will be waived the last day of the previous month. If the special open enrollment is due to the birth, adoption, or assumption of legal obligation for total or partial support in anticipation of adoption of a child, SEBB medical will be waived the last day of the previous month.

(2) If a school employee waives SEBB medical, the school employee may not enroll dependents in SEBB medical.

(3) Once SEBB medical is waived, the school employee is only allowed to enroll in SEBB medical at the following times:

(a) During the annual open enrollment. The required form must be received by the school employee's SEBB organization before the end of the annual open enrollment. SEBB medical will begin January 1st of the following year.

(b) During a special open enrollment. A special open enrollment allows a school employee to revoke their election and make a new election outside of the annual open enrollment. A special open enrollment may be created when one of the events described in subsection (4) of this section occurs.

The school employee must submit the required form to their SEBB organization. The SEBB organization must receive the form no later than 60 days after the event that creates the special open enrollment. In addition to the required form, the school employee must provide evidence of the event that creates the special open enrollment to the SEBB organization.

SEBB medical will begin the first day of the month following the later of the event date or the date the required form is received. If that day is the first of the month, coverage is effective on that day. If the special open enrollment is due to the birth, adoption, or assumption of legal obligation for total or partial support in anticipation of adoption of a child, SEBB medical for the school employee will begin on the first day of the month in which the event occurs. SEBB medical for the newly born child, newly adopted child, spouse, or state-registered domestic partner will begin as described in WAC 182-31-150 (3)(a)(iv).

If a school employee who is eligible for the employer contribution toward SEBB benefits was enrolled as a dependent in PEBB medical and PEBB dental and is removed by the PEBB subscriber, the health care authority will notify the school employee of their removal from the PEBB subscriber's account and that they have experienced a special enrollment event. The school employee will be required to return from waived enrollment and elect SEBB medical, SEBB dental, and SEBB vision. If the school employee's SEBB organization does not receive the school employee's required forms indicating their medical, dental, and vision elections within 60 days of the school employee losing PEBB medical and PEBB dental, they will be defaulted into employee-only SEBB medical, SEBB dental, and SEBB vision as described in WAC 182-30-080 (1)(b)(i) through (iii).

(4) Special open enrollment: Any one of the events in (a) through (k) of this subsection may create a special open enrollment that allows the school employee to enroll in SEBB medical after having waived enrollment. The change in enrollment must be allowable under the Internal Revenue Code (IRC) and Treasury regulations, and correspond to and be consistent with the event that creates the special open enrollment for the school employee, the school employee's dependent, or both.

(a) School employee acquires a new dependent due to:

(i) Marriage or registering a state registered domestic partnership;

(ii) Birth, adoption, or when the school employee has assumed a legal obligation for total or partial support in anticipation of adoption; or

(iii) A child becoming eligible as an extended dependent through legal custody or legal guardianship.

(b) School employee or a school employee's dependent loses other coverage under a group health plan or through health insurance coverage, as defined by the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA);

(c) School employee has a change in employment status that affects the school employee's eligibility for their employer contribution toward their employer-based group medical;

(d) The school employee's dependent has a change in their own employment status that affects their eligibility or their dependent's eligibility for the employer contribution under their employer-based group medical;

(e) School employee or a school employee's dependent has a change in enrollment under an employer-based group medical plan during its annual open enrollment that does not align with the SEBB program's annual open enrollment;

(f) School employee's dependent has a change in residence from outside of the United States to within the United States, or from within the United States to outside of the United States and that change in residence results in the dependent losing their health insurance;

(g) A court order requires the school employee or any other individual to provide a health plan for an eligible dependent of the school employee (a former spouse or former state registered domestic partner is not an eligible dependent);

(h) School employee or a school employee's dependent enrolls in coverage under medicaid or a state children's health insurance program (CHIP), or the school employee or a school employee's dependent loses eligibility for coverage under medicaid or CHIP;

(i) School employee or a school employee's dependent becomes eligible for state premium assistance subsidy for SEBB health plan coverage from medicaid or CHIP;

(j) School employee or a school employee's dependent becomes eligible and enrolls in a TRICARE plan, or loses eligibility for a TRICARE plan;

(k) School employee becomes eligible and enrolls in medicare, or loses eligibility for medicare.

(1) A school employee or a school employee's dependent who loses eligibility for the employer contribution toward school employees benefits board (SEBB) benefits and who qualifies for continuation coverage under the federal Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act (COBRA) may continue coverage for all or any combination of SEBB medical, dental, or vision.

(2) A school employee or a school employee's dependent who loses eligibility for continuation coverage described in WAC 182-31-100 or 182-31-120 but who has not used the maximum number of months allowed under COBRA may continue any combination of SEBB medical, dental, or vision for the remaining difference in months.

(3) An enrollee may continue SEBB medical, dental, or vision under COBRA by self-paying the premium and applicable premium surcharges set by the health care authority (HCA):

(a) The election must be received by the SEBB program no later than 60 days from the date the enrollee's SEBB health plan coverage ended or from the postmark date on the election notice sent by the SEBB program, whichever is later;

(b) The first premium payment under COBRA coverage and applicable premium surcharges are due to the HCA no later than 45 days after the election period ends as described in (a) of this subsection. Following the enrollee's first premium payment, premiums and applicable premium surcharges must be paid as described in WAC 182-30-040 (1)(c);

(c) COBRA continuation coverage enrollees who voluntarily terminate their COBRA coverage will not be eligible to reenroll in COBRA coverage unless they regain eligibility as described in WAC 182-31-040. Those who request to terminate their COBRA coverage must do so in writing. COBRA coverage will end on the last day of the month in which the SEBB program receives the termination request or on the last day of the month specified in the COBRA enrollee's termination request, whichever is later. If the termination request is received on the first day of the month, COBRA coverage will end on the last day of the previous month;

(d) A school employee enrolled in a medical flexible spending arrangement (FSA) or limited purpose FSA and the school employee's dependents will have an opportunity to continue making contributions to their medical FSA or limited purpose FSA by electing COBRA if on the date of the qualifying event, as described under 42 U.S.C. Sec. 300bb-3, the school employee's medical FSA or limited purpose FSA has a greater amount in remaining benefits than remaining contribution payments for the current year. The election must be received by the contracted vendor no later than 60 days from the date the SEBB health plan coverage ended or from the postmark date on the election notice sent by the contracted vendor, whichever is later. The first premium payment under COBRA coverage is due to the contracted vendor no later than 45 days after the election period ends as described above.

(4) A subscriber's state registered domestic partner and the state registered domestic partner's children may continue SEBB medical, dental, or vision on the same terms and conditions as spouses and other eligible dependents under COBRA as described under RCW 26.60.015.

(5) Medical, dental, and vision coverage under COBRA begin on the first day of the month following the day the COBRA enrollee loses eligibility for SEBB health plan coverage as described in WAC 182-31-050, 182-31-100, 182-31-120, or 182-31-140.

(6) An enrollee's COBRA coverage will terminate at the end of the month when they become eligible for medicare due to turning age 65 or older, or when enrolled in medicare due to a disability.

Nonrepresented educational service district (ESD) school employees and their dependents may gain temporary eligibility for school employees benefits board (SEBB) benefits, on a self-pay basis, if they meet the following criteria:

(1) A nonrepresented ESD school employee and their dependents who are enrolled in medical, dental, or vision under a group plan offered by a SEBB organization on December 31, 2023, who lose eligibility because the school employee is not eligible under WAC 182-30-130 or 182-31-040, may elect to continue existing enrollment in one or more of the following SEBB benefits: Medical, dental, or vision coverage. These benefits will be provided for a maximum of 18 months.

(2) A dependent of a SEBB eligible nonrepresented school employee of an ESD who is enrolled in medical, dental, or vision under a school employee's account on December 31, 2023, who loses eligibility because they are not an eligible dependent under WAC 182-31-140 may continue existing enrollment for a maximum of 36 months.

(3) A dependent of a nonrepresented school employee who is continuing medical, dental, or vision coverage through an ESD on December 31, 2023, may elect to continue existing enrollment to finish out their remaining months, up to the maximum number of months authorized by Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act for a similar event, by enrolling in a medical, dental, or vision plan offered through the SEBB program.

(4) The nonrepresented school employee's or the dependent's election must be received by the SEBB program no later than 60 days after January 1, 2024. If the nonrepresented school employee's or a dependent's monthly premium or applicable premium surcharges remain unpaid for 60 days from the original due date, the nonrepresented school employee's SEBB benefits will be terminated retroactive to the last day of the month for which the monthly premium and applicable premium surcharges were paid as described in WAC 182-30-040 (1)(c).

School employees who have established eligibility for school employees benefits board (SEBB) benefits as described in WAC 182-31-040 may continue coverage for themselves and their dependents during certain types of leave or when their employment ends due to a layoff.

(1) School employees who are no longer eligible for the employer contribution toward SEBB benefits due to an event described in (b)(i) through (v) of this subsection may continue coverage by self-paying the premium and applicable premium surcharges set by the health care authority (HCA) from the date eligibility for the employer contribution is lost:

(a) School employees may continue any combination of medical, dental, or vision, and may also continue life insurance and accidental death and dismemberment (AD&D) insurance. If life insurance or AD&D insurance is elected, both basic life and basic AD&D insurance must be continued. School employees who continue basic life insurance and basic AD&D insurance may also continue supplemental life and AD&D insurance;

(b) School employees in the following circumstances who lose their eligibility for the employer contribution toward SEBB benefits qualify to continue coverage under this subsection:

(i) School employees who are on authorized leave without pay;

(ii) School employees who are receiving time-loss benefits under workers' compensation;

(iii) School employees who are called to active duty in the uniformed services as defined under USERRA;

(iv) School employees whose employment ends due to a layoff as defined in WAC 182-31-020; and

(v) School employees who are applying for disability retirement.

(c) The school employee's elections must be received by the SEBB program no later than sixty days from the date the school employee's SEBB health plan coverage ended or from the postmark date on the election notice sent by the SEBB program, whichever is later;

(d) School employees may self-pay for a maximum of twenty-nine months. The school employee's first premium payment and applicable premium surcharges are due no later than forty-five days after the election period ends as described in (c) of this subsection.

Premiums and applicable premium surcharges associated with continuing SEBB medical, must be made to the HCA as well as premiums associated with continuing SEBB dental and vision insurance coverage. Premiums associated with continuing life insurance coverage or AD&D insurance coverage must be made to the contracted vendor. Following the school employee's first premium payment, the school employee must pay the premium amounts for SEBB insurance coverage and applicable premium surcharges as premiums become due; and

(e) If the school employee's monthly premium or applicable premium surcharges remain unpaid for sixty days from the original due date, the school employee's SEBB insurance coverage will be terminated retroactive to the last day of the month for which the monthly premium and applicable premium surcharges were paid as described in WAC 182-30-040 (1)(c).

(2) The number of months that school employees self-pay the premium while eligible as described in subsection (1) of this section will count toward the total months of continuation coverage allowed under the federal Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act (COBRA). School employees who are no longer eligible for continuation coverage as described in subsection (1) of this section but who have not used the maximum number of months allowed under COBRA coverage may continue medical, dental, vision, or any combination of them for the remaining difference in months by self-paying the premium and applicable premium surcharges as described in WAC 182-31-090.

(1) A school employee on approved leave under the federal Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) may continue to receive the employer contribution toward school employees benefits board (SEBB) benefits in accordance with the federal FMLA. The school employee may also continue current supplemental life, supplemental accidental death and dismemberment (AD&D), and employee-paid long-term disability (LTD) insurance. The school employee's SEBB organization is responsible for determining if the school employee is eligible for leave under FMLA and the duration of such leave.

(2) A school employee on approved leave under the paid family and medical leave program under chapter 50A.05 RCW may continue to receive the employer contribution toward SEBB benefits in accordance with RCW 50A.35.020. The school employee may also continue current supplemental life, supplemental AD&D, and employee-paid LTD insurance. The employment security department is responsible for determining if the school employee is eligible for the paid family and medical leave program.

(3) If a school employee exhausts the period of leave approved under FMLA or paid family and medical leave, SEBB benefits may be continued by self-paying the premium and applicable premium surcharges set by the health care authority (HCA), with no contribution from the SEBB organization, as described in WAC 182-31-100(1).

(1) A school employee awaiting the hearing outcome of a grievance action before any of the following may continue their school employees benefits board (SEBB) insurance coverage by self-paying the premium and applicable premium surcharges set by the health care authority (HCA), with no contribution from the SEBB organization, on the same terms as a school employee who is granted leave as described in WAC 182-31-100(1):

(a) An arbitrator;

(b) A grievance or appeals committee established under a collective bargaining agreement for union represented employees; or

(c) A court.

(2) The school employee must pay premium amounts and applicable premium surcharges associated with SEBB insurance coverage as premiums and applicable premium surcharges become due. If the monthly premium or applicable premium surcharges remain unpaid for sixty days from the original due date, SEBB insurance coverage will be terminated retroactive to the last day of the month for which the monthly premium and applicable premium surcharges were paid as described in WAC 182-30-040 (1)(c).

(3) If the dismissal is upheld, all SEBB insurance coverage will terminate at the end of the month in which the decision is entered, or the date to which premiums have been paid, whichever is later, with the exception described in subsection (4) of this section.

(4) If the dismissal is upheld and the school employee is eligible under the federal Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act (COBRA), the school employee may continue SEBB medical, dental, vision, or any combination of them for the remaining months available under COBRA. See WAC 182-31-090 for information on COBRA. The number of months the school employee self-paid premiums during the appeal will count toward the total number of months allowed under COBRA.

(5) If the arbitrator, committee, or court sustains the school employee in the appeal and directs reinstatement of SEBB organization paid SEBB insurance coverage retroactively, the SEBB organization must forward to HCA the full employer contribution for the period directed by the arbitrator, committee, or court and collect from the school employee the school employee's share of premiums due, if any.

(a) When the employer contribution is reinstated, HCA will refund premiums and applicable premium surcharges the school employee paid only if the school employee retroactively pays their employee contribution amounts for SEBB benefits. In the alternative, at the request of the school employee, HCA may deduct the school employee's contribution amount for SEBB benefits from the refund of premiums and applicable premium surcharges self-paid by the school employee during the appeal period.

(b) All supplemental life insurance, supplemental accidental death and dismemberment (AD&D) insurance, and employee-paid long-term disability (LTD) insurance that was in force at the time of dismissal shall be reinstated retroactively only if the school employee makes retroactive payment of premium for any such supplemental coverage and employee-paid LTD insurance that was not continued by self-payment during the appeal process. If the school employee chooses not to pay the retroactive premium, evidence of insurability will be required to enroll in such supplemental coverage and employee-paid LTD insurance.

If eligible, dependents may continue health plan enrollment under one of the continuation coverage options in subsection (1) or (2) of this section by self-paying the premiums and applicable premium surcharges set by the health care authority (HCA), with no contribution from the school employees benefits board (SEBB) organization, following their loss of eligibility under the subscriber's health plan coverage. The dependent's first premium payment and applicable premium surcharges are due no later than forty-five days after the dependent's election period ends as described in WAC 182-31-090 or 182-12-265, whichever applies. Premiums and applicable premium surcharges associated with continuing SEBB medical, must be made to the HCA as well as premiums associated with continuing SEBB dental or SEBB vision insurance coverage. Following the dependent's first premium payment, the dependent must pay premium and applicable premium surcharges as they become due. If the monthly premium or applicable premium surcharges remain unpaid for sixty days from the original due date, SEBB insurance coverage will be terminated retroactive to the last day of the month for which the monthly premium and applicable premium surcharges were paid as described in WAC 182-30-040 (1)(c). The SEBB program must receive the required forms as outlined in the SEBB initial notice of COBRA and continuation coverage rights. Options for continuing health plan enrollment are based on the reason that eligibility was lost.

(1) Dependents who lose eligibility due to the death of a school employee may be eligible to continue health plan enrollment as described in WAC 182-12-265; or

(2) Dependents who lose eligibility because they no longer meet the eligibility criteria as described in WAC 182-31-140 are eligible to continue SEBB medical, dental, or vision under provisions of the federal Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act (COBRA). See WAC 182-31-090 for more information on COBRA.

(3) A subscriber's state registered domestic partner and the state registered domestic partner's children may continue SEBB medical, dental, or vision on the same terms and conditions as spouses and other eligible dependents under COBRA as described under RCW 26.60.015.

(4) No continuation coverage will be offered unless the SEBB program is notified through hand delivery or United States Postal Service mail of the qualifying event as outlined in the SEBB initial notice of COBRA and continuation coverage rights.

A school employee's spouse, state registered domestic partner, or child who loses eligibility for the employer contribution toward school employees benefits board (SEBB) benefits due to the death of an eligible school employee may be eligible to enroll in or defer enrollment as a survivor under public employees benefits board (PEBB) retiree insurance coverage as described in WAC 182-12-265 rather than enrolling in continuation coverage.

To be enrolled in SEBB health plan coverage, a dependent must be eligible under this section and the subscriber must comply with enrollment procedures outlined in WAC 182-31-150.

The school employees benefits board (SEBB) program verifies the eligibility of all dependents and will request documents from subscribers that provide evidence of a dependent's eligibility. The SEBB program reserves the right to review a dependent's eligibility at any time. The SEBB program will remove a subscriber's enrolled dependents from health plan coverage if the SEBB program is unable to verify a dependent's eligibility. A dependent will not be enrolled in SEBB health plan coverage if the SEBB program or the SEBB organization is unable to verify the dependent's eligibility within the SEBB program enrollment timelines.

The subscriber must provide notice, in writing, when their dependent is not eligible under this section as described in WAC 182-31-150 (2)(a).

The following are eligible as dependents:

(1) Legal spouse. A former spouse is not an eligible dependent upon finalization of a divorce or annulment, even if a court order requires the subscriber to provide health insurance for the former spouse;

(2) State registered domestic partner. A former state registered domestic partner is not an eligible dependent upon dissolution or termination of a partnership, even if a court order requires the subscriber to provide health insurance for the former partner;

(3) Children. Children are eligible through the last day of the month in which their twenty-sixth birthday occurred except as described in (f) of this subsection. Children are defined as the subscriber's:

(a) Children based on establishment of a parent-child relationship as described in RCW 26.26A.100, except when parental rights have been terminated;

(b) Children of the subscriber's spouse, based on the spouse's establishment of a parent-child relationship, except when parental rights have been terminated. The stepchild's relationship to the subscriber (and eligibility as a dependent) ends on the same date the marriage with the spouse ends through divorce, annulment, dissolution, termination, or death;

(c) Children of the subscriber's state registered domestic partner, based on the state registered domestic partner's establishment of a parent-child relationship, except when parental rights have been terminated. The child's relationship to the subscriber (and eligibility as a dependent) ends on the same date the subscriber's legal relationship with the state registered domestic partner ends through divorce, annulment, dissolution, termination, or death;

(d) Children for whom the subscriber has assumed a legal obligation for total or partial support in anticipation of adoption of the child;

(e) Children specified in a court order or divorce decree for whom the subscriber has a legal obligation to provide support or health care coverage;

(f) Children of any age with a developmental or physical disability that renders the child incapable of self-sustaining employment and chiefly dependent upon the subscriber for support and maintenance provided such condition occurs before the age of twenty-six:

(i) The subscriber must provide proof of the disability and dependency within sixty days of the child's attainment of age twenty-six;

(ii) The subscriber must notify the SEBB program, in writing, when the child is no longer eligible under this subsection as described in WAC 182-31-150 (2)(a);

(iii) A child with a developmental or physical disability who becomes self-supporting is not eligible under this subsection as of the last day of the month in which they become capable of self-support;

(iv) A child with a developmental or physical disability age twenty-six and older who becomes capable of self-support does not regain eligibility if they later become incapable of self-support; and

(v) The SEBB program with input from the applicable contracted vendor will periodically verify the eligibility of a dependent child with a disability beginning at age twenty-six, but no more frequently than annually after the two-year period following the child's twenty-sixth birthday. Verification will require renewed proof of disability and dependence from the subscriber.

(g) Extended dependent in the legal custody or legal guardianship of the subscriber, the subscriber's spouse, or the subscriber's state registered domestic partner. The legal responsibility is demonstrated by a valid court order and the child's official residence with the custodian or guardian. Extended dependent child does not include a foster child unless the subscriber, the subscriber's spouse, or the subscriber's state registered domestic partner has assumed a legal obligation for total or partial support in anticipation of adoption.

(1) Enrolling dependents in school employees benefits board (SEBB) health plan coverage, supplemental dependent life insurance, and accidental death and dismemberment (AD&D) insurance. A dependent must be enrolled in the same health plan coverage as the subscriber, and the subscriber must be enrolled in health plan coverage to enroll their dependent in health plan coverage. A dependent with more than one source of eligibility for enrollment in the public employees benefits board (PEBB) and SEBB programs is limited to a single enrollment in medical, dental, and vision plans in either the PEBB or SEBB program. Subscribers must satisfy the enrollment requirements as described in subsection (4) of this section and may enroll eligible dependents at the following times:

(a) When the subscriber becomes eligible and enrolls in SEBB benefits. If eligibility is verified the dependent's effective date will be as follows:

(i) SEBB health plan coverage will be the same as the subscriber's effective date;

(ii) Supplemental dependent life insurance or AD&D insurance, if elected, will be effective the first day of the month following the date the contracted vendor receives the required form or approves the enrollment. A newly born child must be at least 14 days old before supplemental dependent life insurance or AD&D insurance coverage is effective.

(b) During the annual open enrollment. SEBB health plan coverage begins January 1st of the following year;

(c) During special open enrollment. Subscribers may enroll dependents during a special open enrollment as described in subsection (3) of this section;

(d) When a National Medical Support Notice (NMSN) requires a subscriber to cover a dependent child in health plan coverage as described in WAC 182-31-160; or

(e) Any time during the calendar year for supplemental dependent life insurance or AD&D insurance by submitting the required form to the contracted vendor for approval. Evidence of insurability may be required for supplemental dependent life insurance but will not be required for supplemental AD&D insurance. Supplemental dependent life insurance or AD&D insurance will be effective the first day of the month following the date the contracted vendor receives the required form or approves the enrollment. A newly born child must be at least 14 days old before supplemental dependent life insurance or AD&D insurance coverage is effective.

(2) Removing dependents from SEBB health plan coverage or supplemental dependent life insurance or AD&D insurance.

(a) A dependent's eligibility for enrollment in SEBB health plan coverage or supplemental dependent life insurance or AD&D insurance ends the last day of the month the dependent meets the eligibility criteria as described in WAC 182-31-140. Subscribers must provide notice when a dependent is no longer eligible due to divorce, annulment, dissolution, or qualifying event of dependent ceasing to be eligible as a dependent child as described in WAC 182-31-140(3). For supplemental dependent life insurance or AD&D insurance, subscribers must notify the contracted vendor on the required form, in writing, or by telephone when a dependent is no longer eligible. Contact information for the contracted vendor may be found at hca.wa.gov/sebb-employee-contact-plan. For SEBB health plan coverage, the notice must be received within 60 days of the last day of the month the dependent loses eligibility. School employees must notify their SEBB organization when a dependent is no longer eligible for SEBB health plan coverage, except as required under WAC 182-31-140 (3)(f)(ii). All other subscribers must notify the SEBB program. Consequences for not submitting notice within the required 60 days include, but are not limited to:

(i) The dependent may lose eligibility to continue SEBB medical, dental, or vision under one of the continuation coverage options described in WAC 182-31-130;

(ii) The subscriber may be billed for claims paid by the health plan for services that were rendered after the dependent lost eligibility as described in WAC 182-31-130;

(iii) The subscriber may not be able to recover subscriber-paid insurance premiums for dependents that lost their eligibility; and

(iv) The subscriber may be responsible for premiums paid by the state for the dependent's health plan coverage after the dependent lost eligibility.

(b) School employees have the opportunity to remove eligible dependents:

(i) During the annual open enrollment. The dependent will be removed from SEBB health plan coverage the last day of December;

(ii) During a special open enrollment as described in subsections (3) and (4)(f) of this section;

(iii) When a NMSN requires a spouse, former spouse, or other individual to provide health plan coverage for a dependent who is already enrolled in SEBB coverage, and that health plan coverage is in fact provided as described in WAC 182-31-160(2); or

(iv) Any time during the calendar year from supplemental dependent life insurance or AD&D insurance by submitting a request to the contracted vendor on the required form, in writing, or by telephone. Contact information for the contracted vendor may be found at hca.wa.gov/sebb-employee-contact-plan.

(c) Enrollees with SEBB continuation coverage as described in WAC 182-31-090 and 182-31-100 may remove dependents from their SEBB health plan coverage outside of the annual open enrollment or a special open enrollment by providing written notice to the SEBB program. The dependent will be removed from the subscriber's SEBB health plan coverage prospectively. SEBB health plan coverage will end on the last day of the month in which the written notice is received by the SEBB program or on the last day of the month specified in the subscriber's written notice, whichever is later. If the written notice is received on the first day of the month, SEBB health plan coverage will end on the last day of the previous month. SEBB continuation coverage enrollees may remove dependents from supplemental dependent life insurance or AD&D insurance any time during the calendar year by submitting a request to the contracted vendor on the required form, in writing, or by telephone. Contact information for the contracted vendor may be found at hca.wa.gov/sebb-employee-contact-plan.

(3) Special open enrollment.

(a) Subscribers may enroll or remove their eligible dependents outside of the annual open enrollment if a special open enrollment event occurs. The change in enrollment must be allowable under the Internal Revenue Code and Treasury regulations, and correspond to and be consistent with the event that creates the special open enrollment for the subscriber, the subscriber's dependents, or both.

(i) SEBB health plan coverage will begin the first of the month following the later of the event date or the date the required form is received. If that day is the first of the month, the change in enrollment begins on that day.

(ii) SEBB health plan coverage for an extended dependent or a dependent with a disability will begin the first day of the month following the later of the event date or eligibility certification.

(iii) The dependent will be removed from the subscriber's SEBB health plan coverage the last day of the month following the later of the event date or the date the required form and proof of the event is received. If that day is the first of the month, the change in enrollment will be made the last day of the previous month.

(iv) If the special open enrollment is due to the birth or adoption of a child, or when the subscriber has assumed a legal obligation for total or partial support in anticipation of adoption of a child, SEBB health plan coverage will begin or end as follows:

• For the newly born child, SEBB health plan coverage will begin the date of birth;

• For a newly adopted child, SEBB health plan coverage will begin on the date of placement or the date a legal obligation is assumed in anticipation of adoption, whichever is earlier;

• For a spouse or state registered domestic partner of a subscriber, SEBB health plan coverage will begin the first day of the month in which the event occurs. The spouse or state registered domestic partner will be removed from SEBB health plan coverage the last day of the month in which the event occurred.

(v) Supplemental dependent life insurance or AD&D insurance will begin the first day of the month following the date the contracted vendor receives the required form or approves the enrollment. A newly born child must be at least 14 days old before supplemental dependent life insurance or AD&D insurance coverage is effective.

(b) The events described in this subsection (3)(b)(i) of this section create a special open enrollment to enroll eligible dependents in supplemental dependent life insurance or AD&D insurance. Any one of the following events may create a special open enrollment to enroll or remove eligible dependents from SEBB health plan coverage:

(i) Subscriber acquires a new dependent due to:

• Marriage or registering a state registered domestic partnership;

• Birth, adoption, or when a subscriber has assumed a legal obligation for total or partial support in anticipation of adoption; or

• A child becoming eligible as an extended dependent through legal custody or legal guardianship.

(ii) Subscriber or a subscriber's dependent loses other coverage under a group health plan or through health insurance coverage, as defined by the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA);

(iii) Subscriber has a change in employment status that affects the subscriber's eligibility for their employer contribution toward their employer-based group health plan;

(iv) The subscriber's dependent has a change in their own employment status that affects their eligibility or their dependent's eligibility for the employer contribution under their employer-based group health plan;

(v) Subscriber or a subscriber's dependent has a change in enrollment under an employer-based group health plan during its annual open enrollment that does not align with the SEBB program's annual open enrollment;

(vi) Subscriber's dependent has a change in residence from outside of the United States to within the United States, or from within the United States to outside of the United States and that change in residence results in the dependent losing their health insurance;

(vii) A court order requires the subscriber or any other individual to provide insurance coverage for an eligible dependent of the subscriber (a former spouse or former state registered domestic partner is not an eligible dependent);

(viii) Subscriber or a subscriber's dependent enrolls in coverage under medicaid or a state children's health insurance program (CHIP), or the subscriber or a subscriber's dependent loses eligibility for coverage under medicaid or CHIP;

(ix) Subscriber or a subscriber's dependent becomes eligible for state premium assistance subsidy for SEBB health plan coverage from medicaid or CHIP;

(x) Subscriber's dependent enrolls in medicare, or loses eligibility for medicare.

(4) Enrollment requirements. A subscriber must submit the required forms within the time frames described in this subsection. For SEBB health plan coverage, a school employee must submit the required forms to their SEBB organization, a subscriber on continuation coverage must submit the required forms to the SEBB program. In addition to the required forms indicating dependent enrollment, the subscriber must provide the required documents as evidence of the dependent's eligibility; or as evidence of the event that created the special open enrollment. All required forms and documents must be received within the required time frames. A school employee enrolling a dependent in supplemental dependent life insurance or AD&D insurance must submit the required form to the contracted vendor for approval within the required time frames.

(a) If a subscriber wants to enroll their eligible dependents in SEBB health plan coverage or supplemental dependent life insurance or AD&D insurance when the subscriber becomes eligible to enroll in SEBB benefits, the subscriber must include the dependent's enrollment information on the required forms and submit them within the required time frame as described in WAC 182-30-060 and 182-30-080.

(b) If a subscriber wants to enroll eligible dependents in SEBB health plan coverage during the SEBB annual open enrollment period, the required forms must be received no later than the last day of the annual open enrollment.

(c) If a subscriber wants to enroll newly eligible dependents, the required forms must be received no later than 60 days after the dependent becomes eligible. A school employee enrolling a dependent in supplemental dependent life insurance or AD&D insurance must submit the required form to the contracted vendor for approval. A school employee may enroll a dependent in supplemental dependent life insurance up to the guaranteed issue coverage amount without evidence of insurability if the required form is submitted to the contracted vendor as required. Evidence of insurability will be required for supplemental dependent life insurance over the guaranteed issue coverage amount. Evidence of insurability is not required for supplemental AD&D insurance.

(d) If a subscriber wants to enroll a newborn or child whom the subscriber has adopted or has assumed a legal obligation for total or partial support in anticipation of adoption in SEBB health plan coverage, the subscriber should notify the SEBB program by submitting the required forms as soon as possible to ensure timely payment of claims. If adding the child increases the premium, the required forms must be received no later than 60 days after the date of the birth, adoption, or the date the legal obligation is assumed for total or partial support in anticipation of adoption. A school employee enrolling a dependent in supplemental dependent life insurance or AD&D insurance must submit the required form to the contracted vendor for approval no later than 60 days after the date of the birth, adoption, or the date the legal obligation is assumed for total or partial support in anticipation of adoption. A newly born child must be at least 14 days old before supplemental dependent life insurance or AD&D insurance coverage can become effective.

(e) If the subscriber wants to enroll a child age 26 or older as a child with a disability in SEBB health plan coverage, the required forms must be received no later than 60 days after the child reaches age 26 or within the relevant time frame described in (a), (b), and (f) of this subsection. To recertify an enrolled child with a disability, the required forms must be received by the SEBB program or the contracted vendor by the child's scheduled SEBB health plan coverage termination date.

(f) If the subscriber wants to change a dependent's enrollment status in SEBB health plan coverage during a special open enrollment, the required forms must be received no later than 60 days after the event that creates the special open enrollment.

(g) A school employee may enroll a dependent in supplemental dependent life insurance or AD&D insurance at any time during the calendar year by submitting the required form to the contracted vendor for approval. Evidence of insurability may be required for supplemental dependent life insurance but will not be required for supplemental AD&D insurance.

(1) When a National Medical Support Notice (NMSN) requires a subscriber to provide health plan coverage for a dependent child the following provisions apply:

(a) The subscriber may enroll their dependent child and request changes to their health plan coverage as described under (c) of this subsection. School employees submit the required forms to their school employees benefits board (SEBB) organization. Subscribers on continuation coverage submit the required forms to the SEBB program;

(b) If the subscriber fails to request enrollment or health plan coverage changes as directed by the NMSN, the SEBB organization or the SEBB program may make enrollment or health plan coverage changes according to (c) of this subsection upon request of:

(i) The child's other parent; or

(ii) Child support enforcement program.

(c) Changes to health plan coverage or enrollment are allowed as directed by the NMSN:

(i) The dependent will be enrolled under the subscriber's health plan coverage as directed by the NMSN;

(ii) A school employee who has waived SEBB medical as described in WAC 182-31-080 will be enrolled in medical as directed by the NMSN, in order to enroll the dependent;

(iii) The subscriber's selected health plan will be changed if directed by the NMSN;

(iv) If the dependent is already enrolled under another SEBB subscriber, the dependent will be removed from the other health plan coverage and enrolled as directed by the NMSN;

(v) If the dependent is enrolled in both public employees benefits board medical and SEBB medical as a dependent as described in WAC 182-31-070 (6)(f) and there is a NMSN in place, enrollment will be in accordance with the NMSN; or

(vi) If the subscriber is eligible for and elects Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act (COBRA) or other continuation coverage, the NMSN will be enforced and the dependent must be covered in accordance with the NMSN.

(d) Changes to health plan coverage or enrollment as described in (c)(i) through (iii) of this subsection will begin the first day of the month following receipt by the SEBB organization of the NMSN. If the NMSN is received by the SEBB organization on the first day of the month, the change to health plan coverage or enrollment begins on that day. A dependent will be removed from the subscriber's health plan coverage as described in (c)(iv) of this subsection the last day of the month the NMSN is received. If that day is the first of the month, the change in enrollment will be made the last day of the previous month.

(2) When a NMSN requires a spouse, former spouse, or other individual to provide health plan coverage for a dependent who is already enrolled in SEBB coverage, and that health plan coverage is in fact provided, the dependent may be removed from the subscriber's SEBB health plan coverage prospectively.

The board annually determines the design of the SEBB wellness incentive program.

(1) All subscribers are eligible to participate in the SEBB wellness incentive program.

(2) Effective January 1, 2020, to receive the SEBB wellness incentive of a reduction to the subscriber's medical plan deductible or a deposit to the subscriber's health savings account for the following plan year, eligible subscribers must complete SEBB wellness incentive program requirements during the current plan year by the following deadline:

(a) For subscribers continuing enrollment in SEBB medical and subscribers enrolling in SEBB medical with an effective date in January through September, the deadline is November 30th; or

(b) For subscribers enrolling in SEBB medical with an effective date in October through December, the deadline is December 31st.

(3) Subscribers who do not complete the requirements according to subsection (2) of this section within the time frame described are not eligible to receive a SEBB wellness incentive the following plan year.

(4) A SEBB wellness incentive will be provided only if:

(a) For the wellness incentive described in subsection (2) of this section the subscriber is still eligible to participate in the SEBB wellness incentive program, and is enrolled in a SEBB medical plan in the year the incentive applies;

(b) The funding rate provided by the legislature is designed to provide a SEBB wellness incentive program or a SEBB wellness incentive, or both; or

(c) Specific appropriations are provided for wellness incentives.