Changes to SEBB benefits for 2027

The School Employees Benefits Board (SEB Board) has authorized the following changes effective January 1, 2027. The SEBB Program will provide more information about these and other changes before annual open enrollment.

Annual open enrollment is October 26 through November 23, 2026.

Note: Information on this page may change. If changes are needed, we will update the information.

Changes to all SEBB medical plans

  • HIV prevention and treatment: Senate Bill 6183 requires coverage of all FDA-approved antiviral drugs for the prevention or treatment of HIV without prior authorization or step therapy. If there is a therapeutically equivalent generic antiviral drug available, plans do not need to cover the brand name version.

Medical plan changes

Kaiser Permanente Northwest (KPNW)

  • Non-emergency medical transportation by wheelchair and gurney vans will be available at $0 copay (with prior authorization) to specific locations such as a hospital, skilled nursing facility, or hospital home.
  • Birth doula benefit: KPNW-contracted doulas will be covered for up to four visits total during pregnancy and for up to 12 months after birth. Members also have doula coverage for delivery.

Kaiser Permanente Washington (KPWA) and KPWA Options

  • Provider network name change: Core 1, 2, 3 plans will use the SoundChoice network. There will be no changes to the providers due to the name change. Members will receive a new ID card.
  • Non-emergency medical transportation by wheelchair and gurney vans will be available at $0 copay (with prior authorization) to specific locations such as a hospital, skilled nursing facility, or hospital home.
  • Birth doula benefit: Doulas from an established, licensed provider will be covered up to four visits total during pregnancy and for up to 12 months after birth. Members also have doula coverage for delivery. There is a $1,000 coverage limit per pregnancy.
  • Post-mastectomy bras will no longer be limited to two every six months.
  • Urine drug screening is subject to member cost-sharing.

Premera Blue Cross

  • Premera HMO plan is expanding to Snohomish County.
  • Provider network name change. There will be no changes to the providers due to the name change. Members will receive a new ID card.
    • High PPO and Standard PPO plans will use Glacier.
    • Premera HMO plan will use Clearwater.
  • Birth doula benefit: Doulas will be covered for up to four visits total during pregnancy, delivery, and after birth. Member pays upfront and submits a claim for up to $1,000 for reimbursement. Members must first meet the deductible and applicable coinsurance.
  • Copay for emergency room will increase to $175. Copay is waived if admitted.
  • Urgent care will have a specialist copay. The deductible does not apply.
  • Members can receive a 10% coinsurance discount for using in-network, free-standing ambulatory surgical centers or birthing centers instead of hospitals.

Uniform Medical Plan (UMP)

  • Deductible for UMP High Deductible plan will increase to $1,750 for single subscribers and $3,500 for families per IRS requirements.
  • Health savings accounts (HSAs), included for UMP High Deductible members: The annual maximum contribution will increase to $4,500 for single subscribers and $9,000 for families per IRS requirements.
  • Centers of Excellence program for total joint replacement and spine surgery will end December 31, 2026. Surgeries must be completed by December 31, 2026 to qualify for this program.
  • Birth doula benefit: Members may file claims for reimbursement of up to $1,000 per calendar year. Services must be provided in Washington state by a Washington Department of Health (DOH)-certified birth doula. UMP High Deductible members must first meet the deductible.

Flexible spending arrangements (FSAs)

  • The annual maximum contribution for the FSA and Limited Purpose FSA will increase to $3,400.
    If the IRS announces an additional increase to the maximum contribution before the end of open enrollment, the SEBB Program will adopt it for 2027.
  • The maximum carryover limit is increasing to $680 for balances eligible to carry over from 2026 to 2027.

Long-term disability (LTD) premiums

Employee-paid LTD premiums may decrease by 44-45% for 2027.

SmartHealth

SmartHealth will no longer be available after December 31, 2027. Eligible subscribers who qualify for the wellness incentive by the deadline in 2027 will receive it in January 2028.

Rule changes

All changes to SEBB rules will be available at SEBB Rules and policies. Here is a change that might affect you:

  • Effective May 14, 2026, a school board member may enroll in SEBB medical, SEBB dental, and SEBB vision: upon being elected or appointed as a school board member, during the annual open enrollment, or following the loss of other coverage under a group health plan or through health insurance coverage, as defined by the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA).

2027 monthly premiums: Employees

The SEB Board has authorized the following monthly premiums for 2027 at the July 9, 2026 meeting.

Plan Subscriber Subscriber and spouse/SRDP Subscriber and children Subscriber, spouse/SRDP, and children
Kaiser Permanente NW 1 $44 $88 $77 $132
Kaiser Permanente NW 2 $80 $160 $140 $240
Kaiser Permanente NW 3 $252 $504 $441 $756
Kaiser Permanente WA Core 1 $44 $88 $77 $132
Kaiser Permanente WA Core 2 $80 $160 $140 $240
Kaiser Permanente WA Core 3 $252 $504 $441 $756
Kaiser Permanente WA SoundChoice $137 $274 $240 $411
Kaiser Permanente WA Options Summit PPO 1 $63 $126 $110 $189
Kaiser Permanente WA Options Summit PPO 2 $150 $300 $263 $450
Kaiser Permanente WA Options Summit PPO 3 $306 $612 $536 $918
Premera Blue Cross HMO $38 $76 $67 $114
Premera Blue Cross High PPO $188 $376 $329 $564
Premera Blue Cross Standard PPO $130 $260 $228 $390
UMP Achieve 1 $48 $96 $84 $144
UMP Achieve 2 $141 $282 $247 $423
UMP High Deductible $35 $70 $61 $105

Notes