SEB Board examines hearing aid benefit

On May 4, 2023, the School Employees Benefits Board (SEB Board) met. Members attended in person at the Health Care Authority (HCA) 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.

The Board approved the meeting minutes from the January 2023 board retreat and the April 6 meeting.

HCA staff introduced the following proposed resolution for discussion, with a vote scheduled for the next Board meeting:

SEBB 2023-05 — UMP Hearing Instruments: Beginning January 1, 2024, prescribed hearing instruments in all Uniform Medical Plan (UMP) plans will be covered up to $3,000 per ear with hearing loss, at least every 36 months, without member cost share. Coverage for members enrolled in UMP Achieve 1, UMP Achieve 2, and UMP Plus are not subject to the member meeting the plan deductible. Coverage for members enrolled in UMP High Deductible are subject to the member meeting the plan deductible.

HCA staff provided presentations on the following:

  • A wrap-up of the 2023 legislative session, including a number of new laws that affect SEBB Program rules and benefits
  • An update on the 2023–2025 biennial budget, including funding received to enhance vision benefits and Uniform Dental Plan (UDP) benefits
  • Uniform Medical Plan (UMP) hearing instrument benefit, including:
    • Effects of the newly passed House Bill 1222, which requires coverage of at least $3,000 per ear every 36 months (3 years). Staff introduced proposed resolution SEBB 2023-05 to implement this bill.
    • A discussion of over-the-counter versus prescription hearing aids.

Next meeting

The next public meeting of the SEB Board is scheduled for June 1, 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 SEB Board Meetings and materials webpage.