OE message #4 – Premium surcharge attestations

Washington State Health Care Authority sent this bulletin at 11/01/2023 09:00 AM PDT

11.1.2023

This is the fourth of ten messages Outreach and Training will send related to the SEBB Program’s annual open enrollment.

We ask that you share these messages with employees according to the recommended schedule. Please do not forward this email directly to employees. Instead, copy and paste the message included below into your regular means of communication to distribute to employees.

Thank you in advance for your time and effort to share these messages. If you have comments or suggestions, contact us through HCA Support.

Recommendation: Share this message with employees on 11.3.2023.

Attesting to the spouse and state-registered domestic partner coverage premium surcharge

Note: If you are not covering a spouse or state registered domestic partner (SRDP) under your SEBB medical coverage for 2024, the information below does not apply.

In late October the SEBB Program mailed letters to employees who are required to attest to the spouse or SRDP coverage premium surcharge for 2024 during annual open enrollment (October 30 through November 20). You can also check whether you need to attest in SEBB My Account.

If you will cover a spouse or SRDP on your medical plan in 2024, you may be required to attest if:

You currently pay the $50 monthly spouse or SRDP coverage premium surcharge, or
Your spouse or SRDP is enrolled under your SEBB coverage instead of their employer-based group medical, but you did not have to pay the surcharge in 2023 because either:
- Your spouse or SRDP’s coverage was not comparable to the UMP Classic medical plan, or
- The medical premium for your spouse or SRDP's employer-based medical coverage was $117.81 or more for 2023.

To confirm whether you need to attest, log into SEBB My Account.

How to attest

If you are required to attest, log in to SEBB My Account and select the Attestations tab, or use the 2024 SEBB Premium Surcharge Attestation Change Form.

If your spouse or SRDP has other employer-based group medical coverage available, you may need to gather information about their available medical plans to complete the 2024 Spousal Plan Calculator.

You must attest by November 20, 2023. If you do not attest or you attest that the premium surcharge applies, you will be charged the $50 monthly premium surcharge beginning January 1, 2024. The surcharge will remain in effect for the rest of 2024 unless you have a qualifying event that allows you to change the attestation.

Learn more about the surcharge on the SEBB Program’s Spousal coverage surcharge webpage.

Premium Surcharges

About the Health Care Authority (HCA)

The Washington State Health Care Authority (HCA) is committed to whole-person care, integrating physical health and behavioral health services for better results and healthier residents.

HCA purchases health care for more than 2.5 million Washington residents through Apple Health (Medicaid), the Public Employees Benefits Board (PEBB) Program, the School Employees Benefits Board (SEBB) Program, and the COFA Islander Health Care Program. As the largest health care purchaser in the state, we lead the effort to transform health care, helping ensure Washington residents have access to better health and better care at a lower cost.

Please do not reply directly to this message. For more information, visit the HCA website, where you'll also find contact information.

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The Washington State Health Care Authority (HCA) complies with all applicable federal and Washington state civil rights laws and is committed to providing equal access to our services. Visit HCA’s website to view complete nondiscrimination statements.