SEBB members: End of Washington COVID-19 state of emergency

Fri, 10/07/2022

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 School Employees Benefits Board (SEB Board) in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Policy resolutions approved during state of emergency

The SEB Board approved two resolutions related to continuation coverage (COBRA and Unpaid Leave), extending enrollment timelines and the maximum coverage period during the COVID-19 state of emergency. Approval was also granted to the Health Care Authority during the state of emergency to extend enrollment deadlines as needed.

COVID-19 continuation coverage eligibility (Resolution 2020-07)

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 2020-08)

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 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 this deadline further and any other enrollment deadlines as needed to meet the needs of the state and SEBB Program subscribers.

What happens when state of emergency ends?

After November 30, 2022, continuity of care forms must be submitted to the SEBB Program during the regular 60-day election period.

Protections of RCW 41.05.744 are ending

The eligibility protections of Revised Code of Washington (RCW) 41.05.744 will end for all school employees on October 31, 2022. This could affect school employees who have maintained eligibility for SEBB benefits solely through RCW 41.05.744. If eligibility for SEBB benefits could be maintained through one of these situations below, then the school employee would remain eligible as of November 1, 2022:

If the employee is in the same position with the same schedule as they had before February 29, 2020.
If the employee is anticipated to work 630 hours and they have been determined eligible as of the start of the current school year.

Any school employee who loses coverage as a result of the state of emergency ending will be eligible to continue SEBB insurance through either SEBB Continuation Coverage (COBRA) or SEBB Continuation Coverage (Unpaid Leave). Continuation coverage packets will be sent to employees whose benefits are terminated.