No. The ACA requirements are more restrictive than state law RCW 41.05.740 (6)(d)(ii), and the SEB Board cannot make a requirement that is more restrictive than statute.

Yes. SEBB organizations are responsible for preparing Internal Revenue Service (IRS) Form 1095, providing copies of Form 1095 to certain current employees (e.g., those determined “full-time” for at least one month of the reporting year and/or those enrolled in self-insured coverage for at least one month of the report year), and certain former employees (e.g., retirees and COBRA enrollees enrolled in self-insured coverage for at least one month of the report year), and filing Form 1094 and copies of Form 1095 with the IRS. HCA provides SEBB organizations with prior-year medical enrollment data to support their preparation of Forms 1095 in early January each year. HCA provides data files that include all employee enrollment data, as well as former employee enrollment data for those former employees enrolled in self-insured coverage.  All Uniform Medical Plan coverage is “self-insured” coverage.

Note:  IRS Notice 2019-63 (Dec. 2, 2019) provided relief from certain aspects of the 2019 information-reporting requirements under Internal Revenue Code sections 6055 and 6056.

Yes, the SEBB Program meets the affordability requirements.

Beginning January 1, 2024, the SEBB Program will administer medical, dental, and vision coverage for board members interested in enrolling in these benefits. SEBB organizations will no longer contract with the Health Care Authority to provide Public Employees Benefits Board (PEBB) benefits for board members.

Board members include the board of directors of a school district as governed by chapter 28A.343 RCW and the board of directors of an educational service district (ESD) as governed by chapter 28A.310 RCW.

Board members who are interested in participating can contact the SEBB Program at 1-800-200-1004. Learn more about health insurance options available for board members.

No, only tobacco products are included.

Yes. Monthly medical premiums, along with applicable premium surcharges, are deducted from paychecks pretax, unless the employee arranges with their payroll or benefits office to have their premiums and applicable premium surcharges deducted posttax.

Dual enrollment is when a school employee is eligible to enroll in the SEBB Program and is also eligible as the spouse, state-registered domestic partner, or dependent of another eligible school employee. Dual enrollment is not allowed for medical, dental, or vision coverage. The single-enrollment policy helps maintain the affordability of the SEBB Program’s health plans.

School employees are encouraged to enroll online with Benefits 24/7, using a computer, tablet, or smartphone. However, for those who cannot enroll online, paper enrollment forms are available from the benefits administrator.

Yes. Employees can only waive medical coverage. They cannot waive dental, vision, or other benefits. The funding rate calculation assumes a certain percentage of employees will waive medical coverage, which reduces the average amount of employer funding needed per employee.

Yes, as long as they are employees of a school district or charter school, or are union-represented employees of an educational service district and they work or are anticipated to work 630 hours during the school year. A school year means September 1 through August 31.