Change my coverage

What changes can I make during open enrollment?

Annual open enrollment is held in the fall. To make any of the changes below we must receive the required forms no later than the last day of open enrollment. The change will become effective January 1 of the next year.

• Change your medical, dental, or vision plans.
• Enroll or remove dependents.

The SEBB Program must receive your change request in Benefits 24/7 or the appropriate SEBB Continuation Coverage (COBRA) Election/Change or SEBB Continuation Coverage (Unpaid Leave) Election/Change form within the timelines.

What changes can I make any time?

There are some changes you can make any time during the year without a special open enrollment event. Use Benefits 24/7 or the SEBB Continuation Coverage (COBRA) Election/Change or SEBB Continuation Coverage (Unpaid Leave) Election/Change form unless otherwise noted.

• Cancel coverage.
• Remove a dependent from coverage.
• Remove dependents from coverage due to loss of eligibility (required). The SEBB Program must receive your completed form no later than 60 days after the event.
• Change your or a dependent’s tobacco use premium surcharge attestation. Use Benefits 24/7 the SEBB Premium Surcharge Attestation Change form.
• Change your life insurance beneficiary information. Use the MetLife Beneficiary Designation form, or call MetLife at 1-833-854-9624.
• Manage your Health Savings Account (HSA) contribution or beneficiary information.

How do I change my address?

• Send us a secure message through HCA Support, a secure website that allows you to log into your own account to communicate with us. You will need to set up a SecureAccess Washington (SAW) account to use this option.  
• Submit the SEBB Continuation Coverage (COBRA) Election/Change or SEBB Continuation Coverage (Unpaid Leave) Election/Change form.
• Call 1-800-200-1004 (toll-free) (TRS: 711) Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
• Fax a letter with your name and new address to 360-725-0771.
• Mail us your new address to:
  Health Care Authority
  SEBB Program
  PO Box 42720
  Olympia, WA 98504-2720

Switching between COBRA and the Marketplace

If you sign up for Marketplace coverage instead of SEBB Continuation Coverage, you cannot switch to SEBB Continuation Coverage under any circumstances.

If you sign up for SEBB Continuation Coverage, you can switch to a Marketplace plan during the Marketplace’s open enrollment period or if you have another qualifying event that triggers a special enrollment period (such as marriage or birth of a child). If you cancel SEBB Continuation Coverage early without another qualifying special open enrollment event, you will have to wait to enroll in Marketplace coverage until the next Marketplace open enrollment period. You could end up without any health plan coverage and may be charged high out-of-pocket costs if you receive health care services.

Once your SEBB Continuation Coverage expires, you will be eligible to enroll in Marketplace coverage through a special enrollment period, even if the Marketplace open enrollment period has ended.

When do changes take effect?

In most cases, the change will occur the first day of the month after the date of the event or the date we receive your forms, whichever is later. If that day is the first of the month, the enrollment change begins on that day.