PDFWAC 182-31-030

What are the obligations of a school employees benefits board (SEBB) organization in the application of school employee eligibility?

(1) All school employees benefits board (SEBB) organizations must carry out all actions, policies, and guidance issued by the SEBB program which are necessary for the operation of benefit plans, education of school employees, claims administration, and appeals process including those described in chapters 182-30, 182-31, and 182-32 WAC. SEBB organizations must:
(a) Use the methods provided by the SEBB program to determine eligibility and enrollment in benefits;
(b) Provide eligibility determination reports with content and in a format designed and communicated by the SEBB program;
(c) Support SEBB program auditing of eligibility and enrollment decisions as needed; and
(d) Carry out corrective action and pay any penalties imposed by the health care authority (HCA) and established by the board when the SEBB organization's eligibility determinations fail to comply with the criteria under these rules.
(2) SEBB organizations must determine school employee eligibility for SEBB benefits and the employer contribution according to the criteria in WAC 182-31-040 and 182-31-050. SEBB organizations must:
(a) Notify newly hired school employees of SEBB program rules and guidance for eligibility and appeal rights;
(b) Inform a school employee in writing whether or not they are eligible for SEBB benefits upon employment. The written notice must include information about the school employee's right to appeal eligibility and enrollment decisions. A school employee eligible for SEBB benefits must have no less than 10 calendar days after the date of notice to elect coverage;
(c) Routinely monitor all school employees work hours to establish eligibility and maintain the employer contribution toward SEBB benefits;
(d) Identify when a previously ineligible school employee becomes eligible or a previously eligible school employee loses eligibility; and
(e) Inform a school employee in writing whether or not they are eligible for SEBB benefits and the employer contribution whenever there is a change in work pattern such that the school employee's eligibility status changes. Whenever this occurs, SEBB organizations must inform the school employee of the right to appeal eligibility and enrollment decisions. A school employee eligible for SEBB benefits must have no less than 10 calendar days after the date of notice to elect coverage.
(3) SEBB organizations must determine school employee's dependents eligibility for SEBB benefits according to the criteria in WAC 182-31-140.
(4) SEBB organizations must assist a school employee in determining whether the school employee or their dependent has experienced an event that creates a special open enrollment as described in WAC 182-30-090, 182-30-100, 182-31-080, or 182-31-150, and inform the school employee of the changes they can make consistent with that event.
[Statutory Authority: RCW 41.05.021 and 41.05.160. WSR 23-14-018 (Admin #2023-01), § 182-31-030, filed 6/23/23, effective 1/1/24. Statutory Authority: RCW 41.05.021, 41.05.160 and 2020 c 231. WSR 20-16-067 (Admin #2020-04), § 182-31-030, filed 7/28/20, effective 8/28/20. Statutory Authority: RCW 41.05.021, 41.05.160, 2017 3rd sp.s. c 13, 2018 c 260, and SEBB policy resolutions. WSR 19-14-093 (Admin #2019-01), § 182-31-030, filed 7/1/19, effective 8/1/19. Statutory Authority: RCW 41.05.021, 41.05.160 and SEBB policy resolutions. WSR 19-01-055 (Admin #2018-01), § 182-31-030, filed 12/14/18, effective 1/14/19.]