PEB Board looks at proposed resolutions and hearing instrument benefits
On March 9, 2023, the Public Employees Benefits Board (PEB Board) met. Members attended in person at the Health Care Authority building in Olympia and remotely. The meeting was open to the public both in person and via Zoom.
Meeting recap
Highlights are listed below. See the briefing book for all presentation materials.
Minutes from March through July 2022 were approved. Staff explained a new strategy of providing reporting on meetings in a more timely manner. Going forward, audio recordings will be posted on the PEB Board Meetings and materials webpage. The recording should be posted within a week after the meeting. Meeting minutes will be provided in a brief summary format and presented at the following meeting. This is in keeping with state laws and practice.
The Board passed a change to its bylaws clarifying the opportunities for public comment during Board meetings. Specifically, the Board documented the long-standing Board practice that, immediately before a Board vote on a resolution, there will be an opportunity for public comment specific to the resolution.
HCA staff introduced the following proposed resolutions:
- 2023-01: When a subscriber has a change in residence that affects medical plan availability
- 2023-02: When a subscriber is involuntarily terminated by a Medicare Advantage (MA) or Medicare Advantage Part D (MA-PD) plan
HCA staff provided presentations on the following:
- Follow up on questions asked at the February Board retreat about mail-order pharmacy utilization and specific vision benefits
- Update on the status of legislation moving through the 2023 Legislature
- PEBB Program financial insights
- Overview of the design of the hearing instrument benefit and utilization data of the Uniform Medical Plan
- Update on Medicare issues
Next meeting
The next public meeting of the PEB Board is scheduled for April 13, 2023, from 9 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Board members and the public may attend in person (masks are recommended) or virtually via Zoom. A link or call-in number for virtual attendance will be noted on the meeting agenda and posted on the PEB Board Meetings and materials webpage.