FAQs for school administrators

The following frequently asked questions (FAQs) help you understand the SEBB Program and how it affects your school district, educational service district, or charter school.

If an employee waives medical coverage, does the district continue to pay the funding rate to the HCA?

Yes. The district pays the full funding rate for every eligible employee (when they become eligible) for the school year.

Employees can waive medical coverage but generally cannot waive other benefits for which they are eligible (dental, vision, basic life and AD&D insurance, and basic long-term disability insurance). However, dual enrollment rules do allow employees to waive SEBB medical, vision, and dental to enroll in Public Employees Benefits Board (PEBB) medical (with vision) and dental. 

 

If an employee's spouse has a retiree policy that covers the employee, can they waive medical?

No. They can only waive SEBB medical coverage if they are enrolled in other employer-based group medical insurance, a TRICARE plan, or Medicare. Retirement policies are not employer-based, so they do not qualify.

If employees don’t attest that they don’t use tobacco, will they be charged the tobacco use premium surcharge?

Yes. To avoid the tobacco use premium surcharge, employees must attest that they and their dependents do not use tobacco. For more on this, visit the Tobacco use surcharge webpage.

If employees terminate employment, does their coverage end at the end of the month?

Yes. For example, if an employee resigns in the middle of the month, the district covers them through the end of that month.

If employees waive medical coverage, do they have to pay the premium surcharges?

No. The tobacco use and spouse or state-registered domestic partner coverage premium surcharges do not apply if medical coverage is waived.

If employees work more than 630 hours in each of two SEBB Organizations, do both organizations pay the employer contribution?

No. The employee can choose which SEBB Organization to participate in. Only that organization pays the employer contribution. 

Is cannabis included in the tobacco use premium surcharge?

No, only tobacco products are included.

Is it true that the carriers participating in the SEBB Program also have to be part of the individual market exchange?

Yes. In 2018, the Washington State Legislature passed Engrossed Substitute House Bill 2408, which calls for this participation.

Is there funding parity between PEBB and SEBB?

Funding parity was addressed by the Legislature in Engrossed Substitute Senate Bill 6241, which intended for insurance benefit allocations for school employees to be no less than rates for state employees. The amount of funding provided for PEBB and SEBB benefits will be addressed during standard legislative operating budget processes.