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 school employees benefits board (SEBB) organization, following their loss of eligibility under the subscriber's health plan coverage. The dependent's first premium payment and applicable premium surcharges are due no later than forty-five days after the dependent's election period ends as described in WAC
182-31-090 or
182-12-265, whichever applies. Premiums and applicable premium surcharges associated with continuing SEBB medical, must be made to the HCA as well as premiums associated with continuing SEBB dental or SEBB vision insurance coverage. Following the dependent's first premium payment, the dependent must pay premium and applicable premium surcharges as they become due. If the monthly premium or applicable premium surcharges remain unpaid for sixty days from the original due date, SEBB 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
182-30-040 (1)(c). The SEBB program must receive the required forms as outlined in the SEBB initial notice of COBRA and continuation coverage rights. Options for continuing health plan enrollment are based on the reason that eligibility was lost.
(1) Dependents who lose eligibility due to the death of a school employee may be eligible to continue health plan enrollment as described in WAC
182-12-265; or
(2) Dependents who lose eligibility because they no longer meet the eligibility criteria as described in WAC
182-31-140 are eligible to continue SEBB medical, dental, or vision under provisions of the federal Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act (COBRA). See WAC
182-31-090 for more information on COBRA.
(3) A subscriber's state registered domestic partner and the state registered domestic partner's children may continue SEBB medical, dental, or vision on the same terms and conditions as spouses and other eligible dependents under COBRA as described under RCW
26.60.015.
(4) No continuation coverage will be offered unless the SEBB program is notified through hand delivery or United States Postal Service mail of the qualifying event as outlined in the SEBB initial notice of COBRA and continuation coverage rights.
[Statutory Authority: RCW
41.05.021,
41.05.160 and 2020 c 231. WSR 20-16-067 (Admin #2020-04), § 182-31-130, 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), § 182-31-130, filed 7/1/19, effective 8/1/19.]