SEBB open enrollment materials available online

The SEBB Program’s open enrollment webpage is now live, with all the information school employees need to prepare for the first annual open enrollment (October 1–November 15, 2019). The online version of the 2020 School Employee Initial Enrollment Guide is also now available online.

The page also includes information on:

• Benefits fairs
• Plan comparisons
• Premiums
• How to enroll

Initial Enrollment Guide mailing details

The School Employee Initial Enrollment Guide will mail on September 18 to eligible employees using data that was uploaded into SEBB My Account by September 11 at 3 p.m. Thank you to those of you who submitted your data. We have received files for approximately 82 percent of eligible employees.

We will do staggered mailings of the enrollment guides every Tuesday and Thursday throughout September to capture data for the remaining employees.

In addition, we will mail extra copies of the guide and enrollment form packets to your organization’s designated benefits administrator — enough for approximately 25 percent of your employees. These will mail the week of September 23. Please use these for newly hired employees before distributing to those who may have not received the mailing due to late data submissions.

Reminder: Employees should spend down their Medical FSAs

Any employees currently enrolled in a Medical Flexible Spending Arrangement (FSA) will not be able to carry over those funds into the 2020 insurance plan year. Please encourage employees to spend down their funds by incurring eligible expenses before December 31, 2019.

Employees can enroll in a SEBB Medical FSA during the first annual open enrollment through Navia’s online portal.

ALEX, virtual benefits fair go live October 1

Two online resources — ALEX, the SEBB Program’s online benefits advisor, and SEBB’s virtual benefits fair — will be available October 1, at the start of the first annual open enrollment.

• ALEX will help employees understand their benefits and guide them through choosing medical, dental, and vision plans. ALEX will suggest plans that might make the most sense for each employee. Any information provided to ALEX is private and confidential.
• The virtual benefits fair is a new way to learn about benefit options through an online experience — and it’s available anytime, day or night, starting October 1. It features links to videos, downloadable content, provider searches, and other information to help employees choose the right plans for themselves and their dependents.

SmartHealth calling all benefits administrators

Heidi Helsley, with SEBB’s SmartHealth wellness program, will be contacting benefits administrators from each school district, charter school, and participating ESD to make connections and introduce her role with Washington Wellness. She’ll explain how SmartHealth works, how to promote the program among school staff members, how to qualify for the $50 wellness incentive during open enrollment, and what materials SEBB can offer to help share this information.

UMP Plus webinars scheduled

Two webinars are scheduled to help employees with questions about SEBB’s UMP Plus medical plans.

• The UMP Plus—Puget Sound High Value Network webinar is scheduled for September 26, from 4–5 p.m.
• The UMP Plus—UW Medicine Accountable Care Network webinar is scheduled for October 2, from noon to 1 p.m.

• Now until September 25: Benefits administrator trainings
• Mid-September: School Employee Initial Enrollment Guide mails to employees. HCA will mail an additional supply of printed enrollment guides and enrollment forms to SEBB organizations, enough for approximately 25 percent of their eligible employee population.
• September 18: Facebook Live event 5–6 p.m. Employees and Retirees Benefits Division director, Dave Iseminger, answers employees’ questions about the SEBB Program.
• September 23: SEBB My Account Contact Center becomes available, at 855-648-3100, for calls related to SEBB My Account navigation
• September 26: UMP Plus—Puget Sound High Value Network webinar 4–5 p.m.
• September 30: Last day to upload eligibility files or manually enter employees into SEBB My Account for employee access on the first day of open enrollment
• September 30: HCA-hosted benefits fairs begin
• October 1: First annual open enrollment begins
• October 2: UMP Plus—UW Medicine Accountable Care Network webinar (noon to 1 p.m.)

SEBB benefits administrators’ webpage

School employees benefits webpages

Informational materials packet

FAQs for school administrators

Fact sheets and member toolkits