Washington State
House of Representatives
Office of Program Research		 BILL
ANALYSIS
Appropriations Committee

HB 3249

This analysis was prepared by non-partisan legislative staff for the use of legislative members in their deliberations. This analysis is not a part of the legislation nor does it constitute a statement of legislative intent.

Brief Description: Administering benefits under the public employees' benefits board.

Sponsors: Representatives Cody, Fromhold and Hunt; by request of Health Care Authority.

Brief Summary of Bill
  • Specifies that the Health Care Authority will establish the appeals process by which eligibility for health and other benefits and other related determinations will be made, and adopt rules setting forth the eligibility criteria.
  • Clarifies that the Public Employees' Benefits Board has the exclusive authority to determine the terms of coverage, including eligibility, for state employees participation in health and related benefit plans.

Hearing Date: 2/4/08

Staff: David Pringle (786-7310).

Background:

The Public Employees Benefits Board (PEBB) is an organization within the Health Care Authority (HCA) charged with developing benefits plans, forming benefits contracts, developing participation rules, and approving schedules of rates and premiums for active employee and retired participants. Among the types of benefit plans provided to employees and retirees through the PEBB program are health, dental, life, long-term disability and long-term care insurance.

The members of the PEBB vote to approve contracts and benefits for the PEBB program. There are nine members of the PEBB, seven of whom are voting members. All of the PEBB members are appointed by the Governor.

State agencies are required to fully cooperate with the HCA to allow the employee benefits offered by the PEBB to be administered effectively, and are required to report all data relating to employee eligibility to participate in a form determined by HCA.

Summary of Bill:

The HCA is specified as the agency that will adopt rules and establish the appeals process for determining the eligibility of state employees for the health and other benefit programs administered by the HCA. The HCA may delegate to employing agencies the task of determining individual employees' eligibility for benefits. The PEBB has the exclusive authority to determine the terms of coverage, including eligibility, for state employee participation in health and related benefit plans.

Appropriation: None.

Fiscal Note: Not requested.

Effective Date: The bill takes effect on January 1, 2009.