Benefits

Eligible employees may make changes to their current benefit elections during the annual open enrollment period, October 28-November 25, 2024, for changes to be effective January 1, 2025.

Current medical, dental, vision, and employee-paid Long Term Disability (LTD) benefit elections will carry over to 2025 if no changes are made during the annual open enrollment.

Annual enrollment is required for the Flexible Spending Arrangement (FSA) and/or Dependent Care Assistance Program (DCAP) for continued participation.

2025 key highlights:

• FSAs
  • Carry over up to $640 of unused FSA funds from the 2024 plan year to the 2025 plan year.
  • 2025 annual maximum increased to $3,200.
  • Re-enrollment required annually for continued participation.
• EpiPens and Inhalers
  • Out-of-pocket costs will be capped at $35 for a 30-day supply of inhaled corticosteroids or inhaled corticosteroid combination products, as well as epinephrine autoinjectors.
• Flyers
  • Open enrollment flyer
  • SEBB "What's Changing" flyer
  • SmartHealth Rewards flyer

Where to enroll or make changes:

• Medical, dental, vision, and employee-paid LTD
  • Benefits 24/7
• 2025 Medical FSA, Limited FSA, and DCAP
  • Navia Benefits
  • Must re-enroll each year for continued participation

Important Links:

• SEBB Open Enrollment Website 
• SEBB In-person Benefits Fair locations (hosted by the Health Care Authority
• 2025 Rates - employee out-of-pocket medical premiums have increased. Please pay close attention to the new rates.
• Virtual Benefits Fair
• Open Enrollment Webinars

Medical Insurance

NOTE:   The Washington State Health Care Authority (HCA)'s new online enrollment system for SEBB benefit enrollment, Benefits 24/7, has replaced SEBB My Account. Your login credentials for SEBB My Account through Secure Access Washington (SAW) will transfer to Benefits 24/7.

All employees who are anticipated to work 630 hours or more, or who during the course of the school year reach 630 hours worked, are eligible for benefits offered through the School Employees Benefits Board (SEBB), administered by the Washington State Health Care Authority (HCA). Employees not making a selection within 31 days of becoming eligible (or those not waiving coverage within 31 days of becoming eligible) will be automatically enrolled in a basic employee-only (no dependents) medical/dental/vision/employee-paid 60% LTD package which has employee out-of-pocket costs.

A variety of medical plans are available dependent on your county of residence or employment. Supplemental offerings are also provided for life insurance and long-term disability beyond the state-provided coverage.

For more information visit the Health Care Authority/SEBB site for school district employees:

• Eligibility and Enrollment 
• 2024 School Employee Enrollment Guide 
• Medical premium rates
• Benefits 24/7 Login Page (active 1/16/2024)
• How-to Guides:
  • SEBB - Log In
  • SEBB - Adding a Dependent
  • SEBB - Uploading Documents
  • SEBB - Attestations for Tobacco Surcharges
  • SEBB - Spousal Attestation for Open Enrollment
  • SEBB - Change Coverage Elections
  • SEBB - Employee-paid LTD
  • Navia - FSA/DCAP

Employee Wellness Programs

Available to all employees:

• Employee Assistance Program (EAP) is a free and confidential counseling and referral service available to all employees and their families. To make an appointment or ask questions, please contact Health Venture at (253) 572-5552.

Available to SEBB benefit-eligible employees:

• SmartHealth is a voluntary wellness program included in your SEBB benefits at no cost to you. Eligible SEBB subscribers can qualify for a $125 wellness incentive by completing a well-being assessment along with joining and tracking activities to earn at least 2,000 points.
• Diabetes Prevention Programs are lifestyle-change programs to help reduce the risk of Type 2 diabetes. All SEBB medical plans will cover the entire cost of the program.
• Living Tobacco Free helps you to quit using tobacco products. All SEBB medical plans offer programs to live tobacco-free.

Retirement

Employees have an excellent state retirement plan regulated by the Washington State Department of Retirement Systems.

Optional retirement programs such as a 457 Deferred Compensation Plan and 403b Tax Sheltered Annuities are also offered by the district.

Are you planning to retire in the next few years? Plan to attend/view upcoming Virtual Retirement Seminars (click to view flyer).

• Washington State Department of Retirement Services (DRS)
• Thinking About Working After Retirement?
• DRS Retirement Outlook
• Carruth Compliance Consulting (FWPS tax-sheltered annuities program)
• DRS Deferred Compensation Unit

Beginning July 1, 2023, all employers in Washington are required to collect the WA Cares Fund premium for the state via mandatory payroll deduction from all employees, unless they have previously been granted an exemption. The current premium rate is 0.58% of gross wages, or $0.58 per $100. More information is available at www.wacaresfund.wa.gov, including contact information for questions that are not answered online.