The SEBB Program’s annual open enrollment begins October 25

SEBB Program's annual Open Enrollment Begins 10/25/21

The School Employees Benefits Board (SEBB) Program’s annual open enrollment begins Monday, October 25, 2021 and ends Tuesday, November 22, 2021.

Open enrollment is your opportunity to make changes to your health plan benefits. Changes are effective January 1, 2022.

• What changes can you make? The SEBB Program’s annual open enrollment is your opportunity to:
  • Change medical and dental plans.
  • Add or remove dependents.
  • Reattest to the spouse or state-registered domestic partner premium surcharge (SRDP) (if you received a letter asking you to reattest.)
  • Enroll in the Medical FSA, Limited Purpose FSA (new for 2022), or DCAP through Navia Benefit Solutions.
  • Consider your long-term disability insurance coverage (changes are coming for 2022).
  • Waive your medical coverage if you are enrolled in other employer-based group medical, a TRICARE plan, or Medicare.
  • Enroll in medical coverage if you previously waived.
• Learn more about the changes you can make on our open enrollment webpage and in the October Intercom
• How do I make changes? Log in to SEBB My Account starting October 25, 2021.

If you have questions about your benefits or account, please contact:

Cyndi Barbur, cyndi.barbur@washougalsd.org or 360-954-3007

Barbara Houser, barbara.houser@washougalsd.org or 360-954-3052

Rhonda Sherman, rhonda.sherman@washougalsd.org or 360-954-3051

Cindie Persons, cindie.persons@washougalsd.org or 360-954-3004

Resources for open enrollment

We are offering multiple ways to learn about benefits from the comfort of your home.

• Virtual benefits fairs – During open enrollment, you can learn more about your health plans and other insurance options by visiting the virtual benefits fair.
• ALEX – Help you understand your SEBB benefits and guide you through choosing your medical, dental, and vision plans. ALEX will suggest plans for you to consider, based on your responses to questions. Access ALEX at wa.gov/alex and within SEBB My Account.
• Webinars – Attend a webinar provided by our carriers and vendors. See the schedule.
• Facebook Live – Join us on HCA’s Facebook on Monday, November 2 at 4 p.m.
• Web content – Visit the SEBB Open enrollment
• Intercom newsletter – The newsletter includes information about the changes to benefits, what changes you can make during annual open enrollment and how to make them, monthly premiums, and more. Read the October Intercom. Note: Since the newsletter was released, there have been clarifications about Kaiser Permanente of Washington’s (KPWA) and KPWA Option’s networks that could affect your coverage.  Read the announcement on HCA’s website to learn more.
• Need help? – Contact your benefits office.

Washington Cares Fund

 Washington State Long Term Care Tax

Deduction will begin 1/1/22

You have options, but you must act quickly

Be informed...

Our District Leaders feel it is important to make sure our Employees are informed about the upcoming Washington State Long Term Care Tax, so we will be sending out some information over the next few days to help you understand, so you can make an informed decision. Here are a few highlight:

• This is a Mandatory .58 % tax on all of your earnings, with no cap
• Deductions will begin on 1/1/22
• No medical evaluation needed
• Benefits will pay out $100 Day, with a $36,500 lifetime benefit
• To Qualify for benefits, you must contribute to the fund:
• A total of 10 years, without interruption of 5 or more consecutive years, or
• Contribute 3 years within the last 6 years from the date you apply for benefits
• Must work at least 500 hours within each of the applicable years
• You must reside in Washington State to use the Long Term Care benefit
• If you wish to Opt Out of the tax:
• You can purchase a private Long Term Care plan of your own
• The private plan must be in place by 11/1/21
• Then you must apply with the Employment Security Dept for an exemption to the tax

Attached you will find a few documents. One will help compare the Tax vs a Private Policy. The other 2 documents start to explain some Private Policies that are available from Mutual of Omaha, offered through American Fidelity.

Follow the link below to the Employment Security Dept website if you would like more information about the Washington State Long Term Care Tax:

http://www.wacaresfund.wa.gov/

If you would like more information and set up a meeting with our American Fidelity Representative, Mike Brame, here is his contact information:

To set up an appointment to meet with Mike:

 

              https://enroll.americanfidelity.com/CE84FFF6

 

If you need to contact him directly, his email address is:

mike.brame@americanfidelity.com 

You can also call or text him at:

 

509-727-2151.

ANNUAL PERSONAL LEAVE CASH OUT OPPORTUNITY

It's that time of year again when you may have the opportunity to cash out some of your unused Personal Leave.

There are 3 applications.  Since there are three different rules for each group, please choose the one that applies to you:

• Administrator
• Certificated
• Classified/Non-Rep

Remember you can check your leave balance in Skyward Employee Access.

If you are eligible, and you choose to take advantage of this benefit, please sign and return the Annual Personal Leave Cash Out Application to the Payroll Dept by the appropriate due date:

• If you are a School-Year Employee (working 10 months), please have these forms turned into Payroll by June 16, 2021.
• If you are a Year-Round Employee, please have these forms turned into Payroll by August 31, 2021.
• If you are an Administrator, please have these forms turned into Payroll by June 30, 2021.

Thinking about Retirement?

School employees are invited to attend live DRS webinars April 6 – April 8. The Dept of Retirement Education & Outreach team will present several topics, including:

·        Plan 2 Basics (PERS, TRS, SERS)

·        Plan 3 Basics (PERS, TRS, SERS)

·        Online Resources

·        Getting Ready for Retirement

·        Applying for Retirement

Logging into a webinar

Employees can visit the DRS Webinar Page for the schedule. Pre-registration is not required for these sessions; however, we recommend attendees join 15 minutes early to ensure a successful connection. How to join a DRS webinar provides tips for logging in, and help is also available at 360-664-7930.

Education & Outreach offers webinars for all members of DRS as well as many retirement planning resources. 

Questions

If you have any questions regarding this DRS Notice, please contact Employer Support Services at 360-664-7200, option 2, or 800-547-6657, option 6, option 2, or email DRS.