Individuals enrolled in Apple Health (Medicaid), Public Employees Benefits Board, and School Employees Benefits Board coverage - and those accessing behavioral health services - will not experience a disruption in care due to the federal government shutdown. In addition, health care providers will continue to be paid for the services they provide. We will continue to monitor the situation closely and share updates if anything changes.
See the updates on Benefits 24/7 stabilization efforts.
The following frequently asked questions (FAQs) help you understand the SEBB Program and how it affects your school district, educational service district, or charter school.
The E1 and E2 eligibility worksheets should be provided to employees who express an interest in adding eligible dependent(s) to their SEBB medical, vision, and/or dental coverage.
Benefits administrators can also find a list of downloadable forms and publications, including enrollment guides, forms, and resources to support the administration of SEBB benefits, and a link to order materials on the Forms and publications webpage.
The accounting manual is located on the Accounting webpage in the Administrative tools and resources section.
RCW 41.56.500 (3) requires that the state bargain for all school employees with a coalition representing school employee unions across the state over funding for health care benefits governed by the SEBB program. By law, the purpose of bargaining is to determine the dollar amount to be contributed on behalf of each employee for health care benefits. The bargaining is not intended to restrict the type, quality, or specific benefit offerings that the SEBB Program offers.
The SEBB Program provides eligibility worksheets for employers to determine and provide required notification of an employee's eligibility (or ineligibility) for the employer contribution toward SEBB benefits.
Learn about the notification requirements and access the worksheets on the Eligibility tools and worksheets webpage.
The Health Care Authority (HCA) administers the continuation coverage for COBRA and unpaid leave starting January 1, 2020. At that time, once a SEBB organization notifies the SEBB Program through Benefits 24/7 that a school employee has lost eligibility for SEBB benefits, HCA will mail a SEBB Continuation Coverage Election Notice booklet to the subscriber and/or any enrolled dependent who lost SEBB coverage. The subscriber and/or dependents will work directly with HCA to enroll in and pay for benefits under SEBB Continuation Coverage. They cannot enroll in continuation coverage through Benefits 24/7. A paper enrollment form will be included in the SEBB Continuation Coverage Election Notice. See the SEBB Continuation Coverage webpage for more information.
Contact Outreach and Training through HCA Support to request SEBB benefits administrator training.
For the state, representatives from the Office of Financial Management (OFM) directly negotiate with a coalition of school employee unions, with staff support from the Health Care Authority (HCA).
The makeup and structure of the coalition is determined by unions that represent school employees after careful research and consideration. The coalition bargaining team currently includes representatives of: American Federation of Teachers Washington; Association of Washington Principals; Operating Engineers; Public School Employees of Washington; Service Employees International Union; Teamsters; and Washington Education Association. The spokesperson for the coalition is Shawn Lewis, with WEA.
Employees are required to provide evidence of a dependent’s eligibility within the SEBB Program’s timelines. Benefits administrators verify dependents’ eligibility for coverage.
The SEB Board has the authority to offer these kinds of insurance products and can consider offering them in the future. However, the portfolio of medical benefits offered by the SEBB Program is comprehensive and includes coverage for conditions such as cancer, critical illness, and emergency transportation. Members can select from an array of plan choices to meet different levels of coverage needs. If school districts offered these types of plans in addition to the SEBB medical plans, it would affect the state’s negotiation position when setting rates and would reduce the ability to secure the best rates possible on behalf of members.