PDFWAC 182-12-270

What options for continuation coverage are available to dependents who cease to meet the eligibility criteria as described in WAC 182-12-260?

If eligible, dependents may continue health plan enrollment under one of the continuation coverage options in subsection (1) or (2) of this section by self-paying the premiums and applicable premium surcharges set by the health care authority (HCA), with no contribution from the employer, following their loss of eligibility under the subscriber's health plan coverage. The dependent's first premium payment and applicable premium surcharges are due to the HCA no later than forty-five days after the election period ends as described in WAC 182-12-146, 182-12-180, 182-12-250, or 182-12-265, whichever applies. Following the dependent's first premium payment, the dependent must pay premium and applicable premium surcharge amounts associated with PEBB insurance coverage as premiums and applicable premium surcharges become due. If the monthly premium or applicable premium surcharges remain unpaid for sixty days from the original due date, PEBB insurance coverage will be terminated retroactive to the last day of the month for which the monthly premium and applicable premium surcharges were paid as described in WAC 182-08-180 (1)(c). The PEBB program must receive the required forms as outlined in the PEBB Initial Notice of COBRA and Continuation Coverage Rights. Options for continuing health plan enrollment are based on the reason that eligibility was lost.
(1) Spouses, state registered domestic partners, or children who lose eligibility due to the death of an employee or retiree may be eligible to continue health plan enrollment as described in WAC 182-12-180, 182-12-250, or 182-12-265; or
(2) Dependents who lose eligibility because they no longer meet the eligibility criteria as described in WAC 182-12-260 are eligible to continue health plan enrollment under provisions of the federal Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act (COBRA). See WAC 182-12-146 for more information on COBRA.
Note:
Based on RCW 26.60.015 and public employees benefits board policy resolution that extended PEBB coverage for dependents not otherwise eligible for COBRA, a subscriber's state registered domestic partner and the state registered partner's children may continue PEBB insurance coverage on the same terms and conditions as spouses and other eligible dependents under COBRA.
(3) No continuation coverage will be offered unless the PEBB program is notified through hand-delivery or United States Postal Service mail of the qualifying event as outlined in the PEBB Initial Notice of COBRA and Continuation Coverage Rights.
[Statutory Authority: RCW 41.05.021, 41.05.160, and PEBB policy resolutions. WSR 19-17-073 (Admin #2019-01), § 182-12-270, filed 8/20/19, effective 1/1/20; WSR 18-20-117 (Admin #2018-02), § 182-12-270, filed 10/3/18, effective 1/1/19; WSR 17-19-077 (Order 2017-01), § 182-12-270, filed 9/15/17, effective 1/1/18. Statutory Authority: RCW 41.05.021, 41.05.160, 2016 c 67, and PEBB policy resolutions. WSR 16-20-080, § 182-12-270, filed 10/4/16, effective 1/1/17. Statutory Authority: RCW 41.05.160 and 2013 2nd sp.s. c 4. WSR 14-20-058 (PEBB Admin 2014-02), § 182-12-270, filed 9/25/14, effective 1/1/15. Statutory Authority: RCW 41.05.160. WSR 12-20-022 (Order 2012-01), § 182-12-270, filed 9/25/12, effective 11/1/12; WSR 09-23-102 (Order 09-02), § 182-12-270, filed 11/17/09, effective 1/1/10; WSR 08-20-128 (Order 08-03), § 182-12-270, filed 10/1/08, effective 1/1/09; WSR 07-20-129 (Order 07-01), § 182-12-270, filed 10/3/07, effective 11/3/07. Statutory Authority: RCW 41.05.160, 41.05.350, and 41.05.165. WSR 05-16-046 (Order 05-01), § 182-12-270, filed 7/27/05, effective 8/27/05. Statutory Authority: RCW 41.05.160 and 41.05.165. WSR 04-18-039, § 182-12-270, filed 8/26/04, effective 1/1/05.]