WSR 23-10-068
PROPOSED RULES
HEALTH CARE AUTHORITY
(School Employees Benefits Board)
[Admin #2023-02.02—Filed May 2, 2023, 12:26 p.m.]
Original Notice.
Preproposal statement of inquiry was filed as WSR 23-04-077.
Title of Rule and Other Identifying Information: Revising WAC 182-30-085 What happens if my health plan becomes unavailable due to a change in contracted service area or eligibility for medicare? and 182-30-090 When may a subscriber change health plans?
Hearing Location(s): On June 6, 2023, at 10:00 a.m. The health care authority (HCA) holds public hearings virtually without a physical meeting place. To attend the virtual public hearing, you must register in advance https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_78IrW6mRRYWRuW7SIXs5IQ. If the link above opens with an error message, please try using a different browser. After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the public hearing.
Date of Intended Adoption: Not sooner than June 7, 2023.
Submit Written Comments to: HCA Rules Coordinator, P.O. Box 42716, Olympia, WA 98504-2716, email arc@hca.wa.gov, fax 360-586-9727, by June 6, 2023, by 11:59 p.m.
Assistance for Persons with Disabilities: Contact Johanna Larson, phone 360-725-1495, fax 360-586-9727, telecommunication[s] relay service 711, email Johanna.larson@hca.wa.gov, by May 19, 2023.
Purpose of the Proposal and Its Anticipated Effects, Including Any Changes in Existing Rules: The purpose of this proposal is to implement policy resolutions and to make technical amendments to support the SEBB program:
1. Implement SEBB policy resolution:
Amended WAC 182-30-085 and 182-30-090 to implement Policy Resolution SEBB 2023-04 when a subscriber has a change in residence or employment location that affects medical plan availability.
2. Make other technical amendments:
Amended WAC 182-30-085 to change the title and update subsections' references within the section.
Amended WAC 182-30-090 to move the note up to the beginning of subsection (2), clarify when a subscriber may select a dental plan when there is a change in residence, and add a new special enrollment event when the SEBB program determines that there is a substantial decrease in the providers available under a SEBB medical plan.
Reasons Supporting Proposal: See purpose.
Statutory Authority for Adoption: RCW 41.05.021 and 41.05.160; Policy Resolution SEBB 2023-04.
Statute Being Implemented: RCW 41.05.021 and 41.05.160.
Rule is not necessitated by federal law, federal or state court decision.
Agency Comments or Recommendations, if any, as to Statutory Language, Implementation, Enforcement, and Fiscal Matters: Not applicable.
Name of Proponent: HCA, governmental.
Name of Agency Personnel Responsible for Drafting: Stella Ng, P.O. Box 42716, Olympia, WA 98504-2716, 360-725-0883; Implementation: Cade Walker, P.O. Box 42716, Olympia, WA 98504-2716, 360-643-7900; and Enforcement: Jean Bui, P.O. Box 42716, Olympia, WA 98504-2716, 360-725-1858.
A school district fiscal impact statement is not required under RCW 28A.305.135.
A cost-benefit analysis is not required under RCW 34.05.328. RCW 34.05.328 does not apply to HCA rules unless requested by the joint administrative rules review committee or applied voluntarily.
This rule proposal, or portions of the proposal, is exempt from requirements of the Regulatory Fairness Act because the proposal:
Is exempt under RCW 19.85.025(4).
Scope of exemption for rule proposal:
Is fully exempt.
The proposed rule does not impose more-than-minor costs on businesses. Following is a summary of the agency's analysis showing how costs were calculated. These rules do not apply to small businesses.
May 2, 2023
Wendy Barcus
Rules Coordinator
OTS-4507.2
AMENDATORY SECTION(Amending WSR 20-16-067, filed 7/28/20, effective 8/28/20)
WAC 182-30-085What happens if my health plan becomes unavailable ((due to a change in contracted service area or eligibility for medicare))?
(1) A subscriber must select a new health plan when their previously selected health plan becomes unavailable due to a change in contracting service area as described below:
(a) When a health plan becomes unavailable during the plan year, a subscriber must elect a new health plan no later than ((sixty))60 days after the date their previously selected health plan becomes unavailable.
(i) A school employee must submit the required form to their school employees benefits board (SEBB) organization electing their new health plan.
(ii) All other subscribers must submit the required forms to the SEBB program electing their new health plan.
(iii) The effective date of the change in health plan will be the first day of the month following the later of the date the health plan becomes unavailable or the date the form is received. If that day is the first of the month, the change in health plans begins on that day.
(b) When a health plan becomes unavailable at the beginning of the next plan year, a subscriber must elect a new health plan no later than the last day of the SEBB annual open enrollment.
(i) A school employee must submit the required forms to their SEBB organization electing their new health plan.
(ii) Any other subscriber must submit the required forms to the SEBB program electing their new health plan.
(iii) The effective date of the change in health plan will be January 1st of the following year.
(c) A subscriber who fails to elect a new health plan within the required time period as required in (a) or (b) of this subsection will be enrolled in a health plan designated by the director or their designee.
(2) A subscriber must elect a new health plan when their previously selected health plan becomes unavailable due to the subscriber or subscriber's dependent ceasing to be eligible for their current health plan because of enrollment in medicare as described below:
(a) The required forms electing a new health plan must be received no later than ((sixty))60 days after the date their previously selected health plan becomes unavailable.
(((b)))(i) A school employee must submit the required forms to their SEBB organization electing their new health plan.
(((c)))(ii) All other subscribers must submit the required forms to the SEBB program electing their new health plan.
(((d)))(iii) The effective date of the change in their health plan will be the first day of the month following the later of the date the health plan becomes unavailable or the date the form is received. If that day is the first of the month, the change in the health plan begins on that day.
(((e)))(b) A subscriber who is enrolled in a high deductible health plan (HDHP) with a health savings account (HSA), will not be eligible to receive contributions to the HSA, and will be liable for any tax penalties resulting from contributions made when they are no longer eligible.
(3) A subscriber must elect a new medical plan when their previously selected medical plan becomes unavailable due to a change in their residence or employment location as described below:
(a) When a subscriber's medical plan becomes unavailable during the plan year, a subscriber must elect a new medical plan no later than 60 days after the date their previously selected medical plan becomes unavailable as described in WAC 182-30-090 (2)(d) or (f).
(i) A school employee must submit the required forms to their SEBB organization electing their new medical plan.
(ii) Any other subscriber must submit the required forms to the SEBB program electing their new medical plan.
(iii) The effective date of the change in medical plan will be the first day of the month following the later of the date the medical plan becomes unavailable or the date the form is received. If that day is the first of the month, the change in medical plan begins on that day.
(b) A subscriber who fails to elect a new medical plan within the required time period as required in (a) of this subsection will be enrolled in a school employees benefits board medical plan designated by the director or their designee.
(4) A subscriber enrolled in a health plan as described in subsection (1)(c) ((or (2)(e))), (2)(b), or (3)(b) of this section may not change health plans except as allowed in WAC 182-30-090.
AMENDATORY SECTION(Amending WSR 22-13-168, filed 6/21/22, effective 1/1/23)
WAC 182-30-090When may a subscriber change health plans?
A subscriber may change health plans at the following times:
(1) During the annual open enrollment: A subscriber may change health plans during the school employees benefits board (SEBB) annual open enrollment period. The subscriber must submit the required enrollment forms to change their health plan. A school employee submits the enrollment forms to their SEBB organization. A subscriber on continuation coverage submits the enrollment forms to the SEBB program. The required enrollment forms must be received no later than the last day of the annual open enrollment. Enrollment in the new health plan will begin January 1st of the following year.
(2) During a special open enrollment: A subscriber may revoke their health plan election and make a new election outside of the annual open enrollment if a special open enrollment event occurs. A special open enrollment event must be an event other than a school employee gaining initial eligibility for SEBB benefits as described in WAC 182-31-040 or regaining eligibility for SEBB benefits as described in WAC 182-30-080. The change in enrollment must be allowable under Internal Revenue Code (IRC) and Treasury regulations, and correspond to and be consistent with the event that creates the special open enrollment for the subscriber, the subscriber's dependent, or both.
A subscriber may not change their health plan during a special open enrollment if their state registered domestic partner or state registered domestic partner's child is not a tax dependent. A subscriber may change their health plan as described in subsection (1) of this section.
To make a health plan change, a subscriber must submit the required enrollment forms. The forms must be received no later than 60 days after the event occurs. A school employee submits the enrollment forms to their SEBB organization. A subscriber on continuation coverage submits the enrollment forms to the SEBB program. In addition to the required forms, a subscriber must provide evidence of the event that created the special open enrollment. New health plan coverage will begin the first day of the month following the later of the event date or the date the form is received. If that day is the first of the month, the change in enrollment begins on that day. If the special open enrollment is due to the birth, adoption, or assumption of legal obligation for total or partial support in anticipation of adoption of a child, health plan coverage will begin the month in which the birth, adoption, or assumption of legal obligation for total or partial support in anticipation of adoption occurs. If the special open enrollment is due to the enrollment of an extended dependent or a dependent with a disability, the change in health plan coverage will begin the first day of the month following the later of the event date or the eligibility certification. Any one of the following events may create a special open enrollment:
(a) Subscriber acquires a new dependent due to:
(i) Marriage or registering a state registered domestic partnership;
(ii) Birth, adoption, or when the subscriber has assumed a legal obligation for total or partial support in anticipation of adoption; or
(iii) A child becoming eligible as an extended dependent through legal custody or legal guardianship.
((Note:
A subscriber may not change their health plan if their state registered domestic partner or state registered domestic partner's child is not a tax dependent.))
(b) Subscriber or a subscriber's dependent loses other coverage under a group health plan or through health insurance coverage, as defined by the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA);
(c) Subscriber has a change in employment status that affects the subscriber's eligibility for the employer contribution toward their employer-based group health plan;
(d) Subscriber has a change in employment ((from a SEBB organization to a public school district that results in the subscriber having different medical plans available. The subscriber may change their election if the change in employment causes:
(i) The subscriber's current medical plan to no longer be available, in this case the subscriber may select from any available medical plan; or
(ii)))location that affects medical plan availability. If the subscriber changes employment locations and the subscriber's current medical plan is no longer available, the subscriber must select a new medical plan as described in WAC 182-30-085(3). If the subscriber has one or more new medical plans available, ((in this case)) the subscriber may select to enroll in a newly available plan.
(((iii) As used in this subsection the term "public school district" shall be interpreted to not include charter schools and educational service districts.))
(e) The subscriber's dependent has a change in their own employment status that affects their eligibility or their dependent's eligibility for the employer contribution under their employer-based group health plan;
Note:
As used in (e) of this subsection "employer contribution" means contributions made by the dependent's current or former employer toward health coverage as described in Treasury Regulation 26 C.F.R. 54.9801-6.
(f) Subscriber or a subscriber's dependent has a change in residence that affects health plan availability.
(i) If the subscriber ((moves))has a change in residence and the subscriber's current ((health))medical plan is ((not))no longer available ((in the new location)), the subscriber must select a new ((health plan, otherwise there will be limited accessibility to network providers and covered services;
Exception:
A dental plan is considered available if a provider is located within 50 miles of the subscriber's new residence.))
medical plan, as described in WAC 182-30-085(3).
(ii) If the subscriber or the subscriber's dependent has a change in residence and the subscriber's current dental plan does not have available providers within 50 miles of the subscriber or the subscriber's dependent's new residence, the subscriber may select a new dental plan.
(g) A court order requires the subscriber or any other individual to provide insurance coverage for an eligible dependent of the subscriber (a former spouse or former state registered domestic partner is not an eligible dependent);
(h) Subscriber or a subscriber's dependent enrolls in coverage under medicaid or a state children's health insurance program (CHIP), or the subscriber or a subscriber's dependent loses eligibility for coverage under medicaid or CHIP;
(i) Subscriber or a subscriber's dependent becomes eligible for state premium assistance subsidy for SEBB health plan coverage from medicaid or CHIP;
(j) Subscriber or a subscriber's dependent enrolls in coverage under medicare, or the subscriber or a subscriber's dependent loses eligibility for coverage under medicare. If the subscriber's current medical plan becomes unavailable due to the subscriber's or a subscriber's dependent's enrollment in medicare, the subscriber must select a new medical plan as described in WAC 182-30-085(2);
(k) Subscriber or a subscriber's dependent's current medical plan becomes unavailable because the subscriber or enrolled dependent is no longer eligible for a health savings account (HSA). The authority may require evidence that the subscriber or subscriber's dependent is no longer eligible for an HSA;
(l) Subscriber or a subscriber's dependent experiences a disruption of care for active and ongoing treatment that could function as a reduction in benefits for the subscriber or the subscriber's dependent. The subscriber may not change their health plan election if the subscriber's or dependent's physician stops participation with the subscriber's health plan unless the SEBB program determines that a continuity of care issue exists. The SEBB program will consider but not limit its consideration to the following:
(i) Active cancer treatment such as chemotherapy or radiation therapy;
(ii) Treatment following a recent organ transplant;
(iii) A scheduled surgery;
(iv) Recent major surgery still within the postoperative period; or
(v) Treatment for a high-risk pregnancy.
(m) The SEBB program determines that there has been a substantial decrease in the providers available under a SEBB medical plan.
(3) If the school employee is having premiums taken from payroll on a pretax basis, a medical plan change will not be approved if it would conflict with provisions of the salary reduction plan authorized under RCW 41.05.300.