If eligible, dependents may continue SEBB benefits 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 SEBB benefits. The dependent's first premium payment and applicable premium surcharges are due to the HCA no later than forty-five days after the dependent's election is received by the SEBB program. Following the dependent's first premium payment, the dependent must pay premium and applicable premium surcharge amounts associated with SEBB benefits 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, SEBB benefits 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)(b). 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 an employee may be eligible to continue health plan enrollment as described in WAC 182-12-180 or 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 benefits enrollment under provisions of the federal Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act (COBRA). See WAC 182-31-090 for more information on COBRA.

(3) 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.