WSR 99-19-029

PERMANENT RULES

HEALTH CARE AUTHORITY


[ Order 99-03-- Filed September 8, 1999, 10:30 a.m. ]

Date of Adoption: September 8, 1999.

Purpose: Procedures for PEBB program is amended to condense WAC 182-08-095 rules for employees of different employers (school districts, political subdivisions, and state agencies) into one standard for waiving PEBB medical coverage.

Citation of Existing Rules Affected by this Order: Amending WAC 182-08-095.

Statutory Authority for Adoption: RCW 41.05.160.

Adopted under notice filed as WSR 99-14-082 on July 7, 1999.

Number of Sections Adopted in Order to Comply with Federal Statute: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; Federal Rules or Standards: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; or Recently Enacted State Statutes: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.

Number of Sections Adopted at Request of a Nongovernmental Entity: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.

Number of Sections Adopted on the Agency's Own Initiative: New 0, Amended 1, Repealed 0.

Number of Sections Adopted in Order to Clarify, Streamline, or Reform Agency Procedures: New 0, Amended 1, Repealed 0.

Number of Sections Adopted Using Negotiated Rule Making: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; Pilot Rule Making: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; or Other Alternative Rule Making: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.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: Thirty-one days after filing.

September 8, 1999

Melodie H. Bankers

Rules Coordinator

OTS-3179.1


AMENDATORY SECTION(Amending WSR 97-21-126, filed 10/21/97, effective 11/21/97)

WAC 182-08-095
Waiver of coverage.

(((1) State employees:)) Employees eligible for PEBB health care coverage have the option of waiving medical coverage for themselves and any or all dependents if they are covered by another medical plan.  In order to waive medical coverage, the employee must complete an enrollment form that identifies the individuals for whom coverage is being waived.  If an employee waives medical coverage for him/herself, coverage is automatically waived for all eligible dependents.  An employee may choose to enroll only him/herself, and waive medical coverage for any or all dependents.

Employees and dependents whose medical coverage is waived will remain enrolled in a PEBB dental plan.  Employees will also remain enrolled in PEBB life and long term disability coverage.

If PEBB medical coverage is waived, an otherwise eligible person may not enroll in a PEBB plan until the next open enrollment period, or within 31 days of loss of other medical coverage.  Proof of other medical coverage is required to demonstrate that: 1) Coverage was continuous from the date PEBB coverage was waived; and 2) the period between loss of coverage and application for PEBB coverage is 31 days or less.  The employee and dependents may have an additional opportunity to enroll in the event of acquisition of a new dependent as a result of marriage, birth, adoption, or placement for adoption, provided that enrollment is requested within 31 days of marriage or within 60 days of birth, adoption or placement for adoption.

(((2) K-12 employees: Employees eligible for PEBB health care coverage have the option of waiving medical coverage for themselves and any or all dependents.  In order to waive medical coverage, the employee must complete an enrollment form that identifies the individuals for whom coverage is being waived.  If an employee waives medical coverage for him/herself, coverage is automatically waived for all eligible dependents.  An employee may choose to enroll only him/herself, and waive medical coverage for any or all dependents.

Employees and dependents whose medical coverage is waived will remain enrolled in a PEBB dental plan if the district/unit participates in the dental plan.  Employees will also remain enrolled in life and long term disability coverage if the district/unit participates in those plans.

If PEBB medical coverage is waived, an otherwise eligible person may not enroll in a PEBB plan until the next school district renegotiation period, or upon approval of the participating school district and the HCA.  Approval of the HCA will require proof of other medical coverage to demonstrate that: 1) Coverage was continuous from the date PEBB coverage was waived; and 2) the period between loss of coverage and application for PEBB coverage is 31 days or less.  The employee and dependents may have an additional opportunity to enroll in the event of acquisition of a new dependent as a result of marriage, birth, adoption, or placement for adoption, provided that enrollment is requested within 31 days of marriage or within 60 days of birth, adoption or placement for adoption.

(3) Political subdivision employees: Political subdivision employees may not waive PEBB medical coverage for themselves, but may waive medical coverage for their dependents if the dependents are covered by another medical plan.  In order to waive medical coverage for dependents, the employee must complete an enrollment form that identifies the individuals for whom coverage is being waived.

Dependents whose medical coverage is waived will remain enrolled in their PEBB dental plan.

If PEBB medical coverage is waived, an otherwise eligible dependent may not enroll in a PEBB medical plan until the next open enrollment period, or within 31 days of loss of other medical coverage.  Proof of other medical coverage is required to demonstrate that: 1) Coverage was continuous from the date PEBB coverage was waived; and 2) the period between loss of coverage and application for PEBB coverage is 31 days or less.  The employee and dependents may have an additional opportunity to enroll in the event of acquisition of a new dependent as a result of marriage, birth, adoption, or placement for adoption, provided that enrollment is requested within 31 days of marriage or within 60 days of birth, adoption or placement for adoption.))

[Statutory Authority: RCW 41.05.160.  97-21-126, § 182-08-095, filed 10/21/97, effective 11/21/97.  Statutory Authority: Chapter 41.05 RCW.  96-08-042, § 182-08-095, filed 3/29/96, effective 4/29/96.]

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