PEBB members: End of Washington COVID-19 state of emergency
On September 8, 2022, Governor Jay Inslee announced the COVID-19 state of emergency in Washington will end October 31, 2022 (at this time, the national state of emergency is still in effect).
The following outlines how the end of the state of emergency might impact timelines and allowances that were put into effect by the Public Employees Benefits Board (PEB Board) in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Policy resolutions approved during state of emergency
The PEB Board approved three resolutions extending coverage eligibility and enrollment timelines, and established temporary eligibility for PEBB coverage for certain job classes hired during the state of emergency.
COVID-19 continuation coverage eligibility (Resolution 2020-01)
Beginning February 29, 2020, the date that Governor Inslee declared a state of emergency in Proclamation 20-05, the maximum period of continuation coverage is extended until two months after the date the Governor terminates the state of emergency.
What happens when state of emergency ends?
If your COBRA or Unpaid Leave coverage was extended because of the state of emergency, your coverage will end December 31, 2022. You will also receive a letter notifying you of the termination.
COVID-19 and enrollment timelines (Resolution 2020-02)
Beginning February 29, 2020, the date that Governor Inslee declared a state of emergency in Proclamation 20-05, any enrollment timelines established for continuation coverage and retiree subscribers will be extended 30 days past the date the Governor terminates the state of emergency. During the state of emergency, the Health Care Authority was authorized to extend these deadlines and any other deadlines as needed to meet the needs of the state and PEBB Program subscribers.
What happens when state of emergency ends?
After November 30, 2022, continuity of care forms must be submitted to the PEBB Program during the regular 60-day election period.
COVID-19 related eligibility for newly hired or rehired state employees (Resolution 2020-03)
Beginning April 1, 2020, and through the last day of the month in which the Governor terminates the COVID-19 state of emergency declared in Proclamation 20-05, an employee hired or rehired by a state agency to respond to the COVID-19 emergency in the following position types is eligible for the employer contribution toward PEBB benefits in any month they work a minimum of 8 hours. These position types include:
- First responders (firefighters, police, emergency medical technicians [EMTs], public safety personnel, etc.)
- Health care professionals (doctors, nurses, pharmacists, behavioral health specialists, etc.)
- Any position working in medical facilities (health care professionals, lab technicians, administrative staff, sanitation workers, etc.)
- Public health officials
- Any COVID-19 research positions
If the employee becomes eligible under these temporary criteria for establishing eligibility, PEBB coverage will begin the first day of the month in which the employee becomes eligible. PEBB benefits for this resolution include medical, dental, basic life, basic accidental death and dismemberment (AD&D), and basic long-term disability (LTD).
The Health Care Authority was authorized during the state of emergency to include additional position types to the list above, as needed, to meet the needs of the state and PEBB Program subscribers.
What happens when the state of emergency ends?
Once the COVID-19 state of emergency ends October 31, 2022, the temporary criteria for establishing eligibility ends and the standard PEBB eligibility and maintenance rules apply. See Washington Administrative Code (WAC) 182-12-114 for eligibility rules and WAC 182-12-131 for maintenance rules.
For more information
Visit HCA's Information about novel coronavirus (COVID-19) webpage.