WSR 97-06-070
EMERGENCY RULES
HEALTH CARE AUTHORITY
[Filed February 28, 1997, 11:37 a.m.]
Date of Adoption: February 28, 1997.
Purpose: Amend eligibility rule to include TRS 3 language.
Citation of Existing Rules Affected by this Order: Amending WAC 182-12-117.
Statutory Authority for Adoption: Chapter 41.05 RCW.
Under RCW 34.05.350 the agency for good cause finds that immediate adoption, amendment, or repeal of a rule is necessary for the preservation of the public health, safety, or general welfare, and that observing the time requirements of notice and opportunity to comment upon adoption of a permanent rule would be contrary to the public interest.
Reasons for this Finding: Statute changed/established TRS 3 retirement system eligible for retiree medical/dental benefits.
Number of Sections Adopted in Order to Comply with Federal Statute: New 0, amended 0, repealed 0; Federal Rules or Standards: New 0, amended 0, repealed 0; or Recently Enacted State Statutes: New 0, amended 0, repealed 0.
Number of Sections Adopted at Request of a Nongovernmental Entity: New 0, amended 0, repealed 0.
Number of Sections Adopted on the Agency's own Initiative: New 0, amended 1, repealed 0.
Number of Sections Adopted in Order to Clarify, Streamline, or Reform Agency Procedures: New 0, amended 1, repealed 0.
Number of Sections Adopted using Negotiated Rule Making: New 0, amended 0, repealed 0; Pilot Rule Making: New 0, amended 0, repealed 0; or Other Alternative Rule Making: New 0, amended 0, repealed 0.
Effective Date of Rule: Immediately.
February 28, 1997
Elin Meyer
Rules Coordinator
AMENDATORY SECTION (Amending WSR 96-08-043, filed 3/29/96, effective
4/29/96)
WAC 182-12-117 Eligible retirees. (1) "Retirees and disabled employees." Eligible employees who terminate state service after becoming vested in a Washington state sponsored retirement system are eligible for retiree medical, dental and life coverages provided the person:
(a) Elects Medicare Parts A and B if the retiree, or covered dependents of a retiree, retired after July 1, 1991 and is eligible for Medicare; and
(b) Immediately begins receiving a monthly retirement income benefit from such retirement system; or
(c) If not retiring under the public employees retirement system (PERS), would have been eligible for a monthly retirement income benefit because of age and years of service had the person been employed under the provisions of PERS I or PERS II for the same period of employment; or
(d) Is an elected official as defined under 182-12-115(6) who has voluntarily or involuntarily left a public office, whether or not they receive a benefit from a state retirement system; or
(e) Must have taken a lump sum retirement benefit payment because their monthly benefit would have been under fifty dollars.
Employees who are permanently and totally disabled and eligible for a deferred monthly retirement income benefit are likewise eligible, provided they apply for retiree coverage before their PEBB active employee coverage ends. Persons retiring who do not have waiver of premium coverage from any PEBB life insurance plan are eligible for retiree life insurance, subject to the same qualifications as for retiree medical coverage. With the exception of the Washington State Patrol, retirees and disabled employees are not eligible for an employer premium contribution. The Federal Civil Service Retirement System shall be considered a Washington state sponsored retirement system for Washington State University cooperative extension service employees who hold a federal civil service appointment and who are covered under the PEBB program at the time of retirement or disability.
(2) Retired and disabled school district and educational service district employees. The following persons are eligible to participate in PEBB medical and dental plans only, provided they meet the enrollment criteria stated below and if eligible for Medicare, be enrolled in Medicare Parts A and B:
(a) Persons receiving a retirement allowance under chapter 41.32 or 41.40 RCW as of September 30, 1993, and who enroll in PEBB plans not later than the end of the open enrollment period established by the authority for the plan year beginning January 1, 1995;
(b) Persons who separate from employment with a school district or educational service district on or after October 1, 1993, and immediately upon separation begin to receive a retirement allowance or have taken a lump-sum payment because their benefit would be less than fifty dollars under chapter 41.32 or 41.40 RCW. Individuals in teachers' retirement system, TRS III, not receiving a monthly retirement allowance (defined benefit) must be at least age fifty-five with at least ten years of service at the time of separation. Such persons who retire on or after October 1, 1993, must elect PEBB coverage not later than the end of the open enrollment period established by the authority for the plan year beginning January 1, 1995, or sixty days following retirement whichever is later;
(c) Persons who separate from employment with a school district or
educational service district due to a total and permanent disability, and
are eligible to receive a deferred retirement allowance under chapter
41.32 or 41.40 RCW. Such persons must enroll in PEBB plans not later
than the end of the open enrollment period established by the authority
for the plan year beginning January 1, 1995, or sixty days following
retirement, whichever is later.
[Statutory Authority: Chapter 41.05 RCW. 96-08-043, 182-12-117, filed 3/29/96, effective 4/29/96.]