Print this pageFor Immediate Release: 06/18/2007
Contact: 1-800--200-1004
The Public Employees Benefits Board (PEB Board) voted July 17 to approve the following changes to PEBB program benefits for 2008.
New plan available
Aetna Public Employees Plan is a new, preferred provider organization available in 2008. It has similar cost sharing to the managed care plans, but you can access providers through a large network like the Uniform Medical Plan.
Aetna Public Employees Plan will be available both in Washington and throughout the U.S. (except Alaska and Hawaii).
Discontinued plans
Community Health Plan (CHP) and Regence BlueShield will not be available in 2008. Aetna Public Employees Plan currently contracts with about 95% of CHP's and Regence's providers within Washington State, and will offer contracts to the remaining providers.
Regence BlueShield Columbia Dental Plan will not be available in 2008. However, the Health Care Authority has contracted with the same provider network, now called Willamette Dental, to serve PEBB enrollees in 2008.
Medical plan benefit changes-employees and non-Medicare retirees
The PEB Board approved the following benefit changes for PEBB's medical plans in 2008.
| Covered service | Current 2007 benefit | Approved 2008 benefit |
| Mental health |
Outpatient-20 visits Inpatient-10 days |
Outpatient-50 visits Inpatient-Full parity with physical health coverage for hospital inpatient services |
| Lifetime maximum | $2 million | No lifetime maximum |
Medical plan benefit changes-Medicare retirees
These changes do not apply to Medicare Supplement Plan E or Plan J.
| Covered service | Current 2007 benefit | Approved 2008 benefit |
| All managed-care plans and Medicare Advantage plans (classic and value), UMP PPO, and Aetna Public Employees Plan | ||
| Mental health |
Outpatient-20 visits Inpatient-10 days |
Outpatient-50 visits Inpatient-Full parity with physical health coverage for hospital inpatient services |
| Lifetime maximum | $2 million | No lifetime maximum |
| Group Health Medicare Advantage Value Plan only | ||
| Ambulance | $75 copay | $150 copay |
| Hospital inpatient facility services | $100 copay per day for first three days; max. $600 per person per year | $200 copay per day up to 5 days |
| Hospital outpatient surgery facility services | $100 copay | $200 copay |
| Office and clinic visits | $15 copay | $20 copay |
Dental plan benefit changes
The PEB Board approved the following benefit changes for PEBB's dental plans in 2008.
| Covered service | Current 2007 benefit | Approved 2008 benefit |
| DeltaCare and Willamette Dental only | ||
| Orthodontia |
DeltaCare: $1,500 copay Willamette: $1,200 copay |
DeltaCare: $1,500 copay Willamette: $1,500 copay |
| Other dental services | Varies by plan | Standard benefits and copays |
| Uniform Dental Plan only | ||
| Annual maximum (plan payment) | $1,500 | $1,750 |
| Orthodontia (plan payment) | 50%; $1,500 lifetime maximum | 50%; $1,750 lifetime maximum |
2008 employee monthly premiums
2008 state contribution for Medicare retirees
The PEB Board approved the state-funded contribution of $164.08 per month for Medicare retirees in 2008, up from $149.67 per month.
For more information
Keep checking back with the PEBB Web site, and look for your 2008 open enrollment materials in the mail in October 2007.
View Governor Gregoire's Press Release about the successful PEBB procurement (July 17, 2007).
