PREPROPOSAL STATEMENT OF INQUIRY
(Public Employees Benefits Board)
Subject of Possible Rule Making: The public employees benefits board (PEBB) rules related to enrollment in chapter 182-08 WAC; eligibility in chapter 182-12 WAC; and appeals in chapter 182-16 WAC.
Statutes Authorizing the Agency to Adopt Rules on this Subject: RCW 41.05.160.
Reasons Why Rules on this Subject may be Needed and What They Might Accomplish: 1. The health care authority (HCA) will consider amendments to PEBB rules to provide additional clarity in rules that address the following:
| • | Eligibility for blind vendor and commissioners as it relates to retiree insurance. |
| • | Certain special open enrollment circumstances. |
| • | Eligibility for surviving dependents and the dependents of a surviving dependent. |
| • | Domestic partner eligibility. |
| • | When coverage ends for an employee whose appeal of a dismissal is upheld. |
| • | Consequences for not submitting notice within sixty days of any dependent ceasing to be eligible. |
| • | Dependent eligibility with respect to stepchildren. |
| • | What occurs if the PEBB appeals committee does not render a decision within thirty days of a notice of appeal. |
| • | When coverage ends for employees who cease to be eligible for PEBB retiree insurance. |
| • | Eligibility of elected and full-time appointed state officials for PEBB retiree insurance coverage. |
| • | Appeals related to application for auto/home and long-term care insurance. |
3. HCA will conduct a full review of PEBB program rules in these chapters and make changes as necessary to provide technical corrections, implement legislation and to comply with federal or state regulations.
4. Adopt rules to implement a wellness program.
5. Consider how the agency handles underpayment for medical and dental premiums.
Process for Developing New Rule: Stakeholder mailing and public hearing. HCA welcomes the public to take part in developing the rules. Anyone interested should contact the staff person identified below. At a later date, HCA will file a notice of proposed rule making (CR-102) with the office of the code reviser. A copy of the proposal will be sent to everyone on the mailing list and to anyone who requests a copy.
Interested parties can participate in the decision to adopt the new rule and formulation of the proposed rule before publication. Individuals wishing to receive PEBB rule-making notices are encouraged to join our listserv, PEBB-rule-making-notice, via this link http://listserv.wa.gov/archives/pebb-rule-making-notice.html or by logging on to listserv.wa.gov and selecting our listserv from the public e-mail list. If you have questions about this rule making, contact Barbara Scott at (360) 725-0830 or Rob Parkman at (360) 725-0883 or at the Health Care Authority, P.O. Box 42684, Olympia, WA 98504-2684, e-mail Barbara.Scott@hca.wa.gov, e-mail Robert.Parkman@hca.wa.gov.
April 17, 2012
Kevin M. Sullivan
Rules Coordinator