Open Enrollment

Public Employees Benefits Board (PEBB) open enrollment runs from October 28 through November 25, 2024. Enrollments, changes, and premiums are effective January 1, 2025.
 

NOTE: New Vision Plans are effective January 1, 2025.

Employees must choose a vision plan by November 25, 2024. If you do not, you will be enrolled in MetLife Vision. The existing VSP Vision Plan remains in effect until December 31, 2024. Click on the accordion box below for details.

There is no employee premium for vision coverage and employees do not pay an additional premium to cover their qualified dependents. Please note that any eligible dependents must be enrolled in the same plan in which the employee is enrolled. Depending on your needs, you can choose between three different vision plans:

Wondering if your current eye doctor is covered? Use the provider search tool(s) to determine if your current eye care provider is covered or to find a new eye care provider:

Make changes during open enrollment through the PEBB Benefits 24/7 website:


Benefits 24/7 will be available to make changes beginning Monday, October 28, through Monday, November 25, 2024. Be sure to register as a user in Benefits 24/7 if you haven’t already.

About Open Enrollment

During annual open enrollment employees can:

  • Change their medical plan
  • Change their dental plan
  • Select a new vision plan
  • Add or remove dependents
  • Attest to the spouse or state-registered domestic partner coverage premium surcharge for 2025, if required
  • Enroll or reenroll in the Flexible Spending Arrangement (FSA), limited purpose FSA, or Dependent Care Assistance Program (DCAP) through Navia Benefit Solutions
  • Enroll in medical coverage, if waived
  • Waive their medical coverage if they are enrolled in another employer-based group medical plan, TRICARE, or Medicare

Enroll or Reenroll in Flexible Spending Arrangement (FSA)
If you are currently enrolled in an FSA, Limited Purpose FSA, or the DCAP, you must re-enroll every year during Open Enrollment to continue participating in the following year. Learn more.
 

In-Person Benefits Fairs

During open enrollment, there will be in-person benefits fairs at different locations throughout the state. This is a chance to speak directly with plan representatives and ask questions about the benefits.

Find the benefits fair nearest you on the PEBB Benefits fair webpage. Before going to an in-person benefits fair, check the webpage for any last-minute changes to event times, locations, or safety requirements. If you have COVID-19 symptoms or a positive COVID test within the past five days, please keep others safe by staying home and visiting the virtual benefits fair instead.

Virtual Benefits Fair

This online option is a great way to learn about your benefits anytime, anywhere. All you need is a computer, tablet, or smartphone to access the virtual benefits fair. You’ll find links to videos, plan comparisons, and webinars to help choose the right benefits for you and your family.

Webinars

Register and attend live and recorded webinars hosted by our medical plan carriers on the PEBB open enrollment webinars webpage.

 

Questions?

A virtual presentation with a Q&A session is scheduled for Wednesday, October 30, 2024, from Noon to 1:30 p.m. This will be presented by your Benefits Specialist, Jim Mendoza, and the chat will be monitored by Benefits Specialist, Alan Suarez

If you have additional questions, please use the following email address that goes to our Employee Benefits Office:

Important Reference Links

 

Email Message Archive

For reference, following are messages sent to Seattle Colleges employees via email regarding open enrollment.

PEBB annual open enrollment ends Monday, November 25, 2024. This is a change from previous years.

How to make changes

To change health plans, elect vision coverage, waive medical coverage or return from waive, add or remove a dependent, or attest to the spouse or state registered domestic partner (SRDP) coverage premium surcharge, log in to Benefits 24/7 to make changes or elect vision coverage before 11:59 p.m. on Monday, November 25, 2024. Use the blue 2025 ‘Open Enrollment’ chevron. (Note: University of Washington and Washington State University employees use Workday.)

Or complete the 2025 Employee Enrollment and Change form available on PEBB’s Forms and publications webpage. Submit the form to your payroll or benefits office no later than Monday, November 25, 2024.

You may complete the 2025 Premium Surcharge Attestation form if you are required to attest to the spouse and SRDP coverage premium surcharge and prefer not to attest in Benefits 24/7.

Forms and any required dependent verification must be submitted through Benefits 24/7 or to your benefits or payroll office no later than Monday, November 25, 2024.

Dual enrollment reminder

You cannot enroll in health plans under both the PEBB Program and the School Employees Benefit Board (SEBB) Program as an employee or a dependent. You may waive your PEBB medical, dental and vision only if you enroll in SEBB medical, dental, and vision.

FSA and DCAP reminder

To enroll in the Flexible Spending Arrangement (FSA), Limited Purpose FSA, or the Dependent Care Assistance Program (DCAP):

You may enroll one of two ways:

Navia Benefit Solutions must receive your enrollment no later than November 25, 2024.

Questions

For questions about:

  • Your enrollment or PEBB account: Contact your payroll or benefits office.
  • Benefits: Contact the plans.

Benefits 24/7: Go to the Help with Benefits 24/7 webpage or call the login assistance phone line at 1-866-335-0043. This line is designated for employee login issues only. Contact your payroll or benefits office for non-login related issues.

Tips for choosing a plan

If you are considering changing your medical or dental plan for 2025, it is important to review your current plan and benefit changes to make sure it still meets your needs. Here are some things to think about as you evaluate which plans are right for you.

Plan availability

Medical plans

  1. Check the Plans availability by county to make sure the plan serves the area where you live.
  • UMP Plus–Puget Sound High Value Network (PSHVN) will no longer be available in Chelan and Douglas counties. Members in Chelan and Douglas counties must choose a new plan. Members in these counties who do not choose a new medical plan during open enrollment will be automatically enrolled in UMP Classic starting January 1, 2025.
  • Confluence Health will no longer be a part of UMP Plus–PSHVN.
  1. Compare the benefits and costs. Use the:
  1. If you prefer to see a specific health care provider, make sure they are in the plan’s network. Some plans have smaller networks and services may cost more if your provider is not in-network.

Dental plans

The PEBB Program offers three dental plans. Two managed care plan, Delta Care and Willamette, and one preferred-provider plan, Uniform Dental Plan.

DeltaCare and Uniform Dental plan are both administered by Delta Dental and are often confused; be careful when you select a dental plan.

  1. Compare your dental plan options online using Compare dental plans on the PEBB Program website.
  2. Check with the dental plans’ provider search or call the plan to verify your provider is in the plan’s network.

Vision plans

Use the following resources to learn more about each plan’s network and benefits. You can access these resources from the Open Enrollment webpage.

  1. Compare the vision plans using the Compare vision plans webpage and the PEBB Vision Benefits At-a-Glance.
  2. Visit the vendor booths at the virtual benefits fair or at one of the in-person benefits fairs.

How to make elections

  1. Log into Benefits 24/7. The system requires a SAW account. If you already have one associated with your personal email address, you may use that SAW account or you will be prompted to create a SAW account.
  2. Click on the blue ‘Open Enrollment’ chevron and walk through the wizard.
  3. Make sure you add vision to any dependents already enrolled.

Remember, the vision plans are new for 2025. If you do not choose a vision plan, you and any enrolled dependents will be automatically enrolled in MetLife Vision.

Additionally,

Kaiser Permanente WA to close three clinics in December 2024 

Kaiser Permanente WA has recently notified its members of three clinic closures in Gig Harbor, Poulsbo, and Seattle (Ballard). These closures will be effective December 13, 2024. 

See Kaiser’s announcement for more details. 

Have you chosen a vision plan?

Starting January 1, 2025, the PEBB Program will offer standalone vision plans, which means routine vision coverage will be separate from your medical coverage. Routine vision coverage includes routine eye exams, eyeglass frames and lenses, and contact lenses. Treatment for medical conditions such as infections, eye diseases (like glaucoma), and eye injuries will still be covered under your PEBB medical plan.

Vision hardware benefit

Under the new vision plans, the hardware benefit will increase up to $200 (from $150) for prescription eyeglasses or contact lenses and will reset on odd years (2025, 2027, etc.)

What vision plan options

You can choose from:

  • Davis Vision by MetLife
  • EyeMed
  • MetLife Vision

All plans will offer private practice optometrists and ophthalmologists in Washington State and nationwide. Each plan’s network will include different providers, though some providers may be in more than one plan’s network. Each plan will also offer retail locations, such as Costco Optical, Walmart, Sam’s Club, America’s Best, Visionworks, LensCrafters, Pearl Vision, and Target Optical.

 What will it cost?

Like dental coverage, vision coverage is an employer-paid benefit. This means you will not pay a monthly premium for vision coverage.

How can I choose a vision plan?

Use the following resources to learn more about each plan’s network and benefits to choose the plan that is best for you. You can access these resources from the Open Enrollment webpage.

What do I need to do?

To make your vision election:

  1. Log in to Benefits 24/7.
  2. Click on the blue Open Enrollment chevron on your dashboard.
  3. If you are not adding additional dependents, choose ‘No’. The dependent list will display.
  4. Choose the Edit link on the right side of the section for each dependent you wish to enroll in vision.
  5. Move through the steps for each dependent.
  6. Continue through the wizard making any changes to medical, dental, or attestations.
  7. Choose a vision plan.
  8. Continue through the wizard to the end and ‘Submit’.
  9. Print a copy of your elections for your record.

If you do not make an election, you and your enrolled dependents will be defaulted into MetLife Vision.

PEBB Compare Vision plans

 

Flexible Spending Arrangement (FSA), Limited Purpose FSA, and Dependent Care Assistance Program (DCAP)

FSAs allow you to set aside pretax money from your paycheck to pay for out-of- pocket health care costs. DCAP allows you to set aside pretax money from your paycheck to pay for qualifying childcare or elder care expenses. If you are participating in the FSA (formerly known as Medical FSA), Limited Purpose FSA, or DCAP for 2025, you must enroll during annual open enrollment even if you are not changing your contribution amount.

Don’t wait until the last minute! The PEBB OE deadline is closer than you think. Navia Benefit Solutions must receive your enrollment no later than November 25, 2024.

The minimum contribution amount for the FSA and Limited Purpose FSA in 2025 is $120 and the maximum is $3,200. The maximum annual amount for DCAP in 2024 is $5,000 per household ($2,500 each if you and your spouse file separate tax returns).

How to enroll

You may enroll one of two ways:

Navia Benefit Solutions must receive your enrollment no later than November 25, 2024.

FSAs and CDHPs don’t mix

If you enroll in both an FSA and a consumer-directed health plan (CDHP), you will be automatically disenrolled from the FSA. You or your spouse or state-registered domestic partner cannot have both an FSA and a CDHP with a health savings account (HSA) in the same year.

If you have a CDHP with an HSA, you can enroll in a Limited Purpose FSA for eligible dental and vision expenses.

FSA funds may carry over

If you are enrolled in an FSA for 2024, unused funds up to $640 may carry over and be used for 2025. IRS rules require that any amount over $640 be forfeited to the plan administrator, the Health Care Authority. The minimum carryover amount is $120. Any amount under $120 will be forfeited unless you enroll in an FSA for 2025.

Deadlines for claims

All 2024 FSA expenses must be incurred by December 31, 2024. You must submit all 2024 claims to Navia Benefit Solutions for reimbursement by March 31, 2025.

DCAP enrollees have until December 31, 2024, to incur expenses against their 2024 DCAP funds. You must submit all 2024 claims to Navia Benefit Solutions for reimbursement by March 31, 2025.

$250 FSA contribution for represented employees

If you're a represented employee earning $60,000 or less annually as of November 1, 2024, you might qualify for a $250 FSA contribution from your employer in January 2025, as per your collective bargaining agreement (CBA). This won't be deducted from your paycheck and requires no action. If you have at least $120 left in your FSA from 2024, the leftover amount (up to $640) will carry over to an FSA for 2025. If you enroll in a CDHP with an HSA and still have at least $120 in your FSA from the previous year, the leftover amount will be converted to a Limited Purpose FSA. For more information, please visit the CBA FAQs.

For more information

Find out more on the PEBB Program’s Flexible Spending Arrangements and Dependent Care Assistance Program webpages or contact Navia at 1-800-669-3539 from 5 a.m. to 5 p.m. PST, Monday through Friday. 
 

Navia Benefit Solutions Website

 

Making elections in Benefits 24/7

Log in to Benefits 24/7 from October 28 to November 25, 2024 to make changes to your coverage. Your changes must be made in Benefits 24/7 by midnight on November 25. Paper forms are available on the HCA website or from your payroll or benefits office. Your payroll or benefits office must receive your forms by November 25. (UW and WSU employee use Workday)

Logging in to Benefits 24/7

Benefits 24/7 requires a SecureAccess Washington (SAW) account. If you already have a SAW account, you can use that to claim your account. If you do not have a SAW account, you will be prompted to create one. Note: Use a personal email address to create the account.

  • Visit Benefits 24/7 and click on the ‘Log in to Benefits 24/7’ button, the SecureAccess Washington webpage will open.

Don’t have a SAW account –

  • Click on the ‘Sign Up!’ button.
  • Enter your first name, last name, and a personal email address.
  • Create a Username and Password.
  • An email will be sent to your email address, click the link to activate your account.
  • Close the browser window with the SAW login screen that opened when you activated your account.
  • In the original browser window or in a new browser window click on the ‘Log into Benefits 24/7’ button and enter your SAW Username and Password.

Already have a SAW account –

  • Enter your SAW Username and Password.
  • SAW uses multi-factor authentication (MFA). Choose the method to receive a code. If only one email address was entered, there will only be one option. Enter the code, click Submit.
  • Enter your last name, date of birth, and the last 4 of your SSN. Click Verify.
  • Choose your security questions and add responses.
  • Read and accept the Terms and Conditions.

Making changes during annual open enrollment

  • Click on the ‘Open Enrollment’ chevron and follow the prompts.
  • When adding a vision plan for your existing enrolled dependents, choose the ‘Edit dependent’ link to the right of the dependent’s name.
  • Under the ‘Enrollment’ section, select the ‘Vision’ checkbox. Review dependent enrollments to ensure the dependent shows as enrolled.
  • If making changes to medical or dental plans (dental does not apply to medical only plans), choose the new plan.
  • Choose a vision plan. (does not apply to medical only groups)
  • Go to the end of the wizard. Print a copy of your elections. Verify your plan elections and that all dependents are enrolled as expected.

All employees (except medical-only employer groups and employees enrolled in a PEBB Medicare plan) must either log in to Benefits 24/7 or submit a paper enrollment form to choose a vision plan (UW, WSU, and Pierce County employees must use Workday). If you do not choose a vision plan during open enrollment (October 28 through November 25), you and your covered dependents not enrolled in a PEBB Medicare plan will be defaulted into the MetLife Vision plan effective January 1, 2025.

Questions

For questions about:

Changes for 2025

All changes are effective January 1, 2025, unless otherwise noted. You can also view these changes on the PEBB open enrollment webpage and in the October For Your Benefit newsletter.

  • Routine vision coverage: Starting January 1, 2025, routine vision coverage will be separate from medical coverage. During annual open enrollment, October 28 through November 25, 2024, you must choose one of three vision plans (Davis Vision by MetLife, EyeMed, or MetLife Vision), or you will be automatically enrolled in MetLife Vision.
  • Vision hardware benefit: Under the new vision plans, the hardware benefit will increase up to $200 (from $150) for prescription eyeglasses or contact lenses and will reset on odd years (2025, 2027, etc.)
  • Change to medical plan availability: UMP Plus–Puget Sound High Value Network (PSHVN) will leave Chelan and Douglas counties starting January 1, 2025. UMP Plus–PSHVN members in these counties who do not choose a new medical plan during open enrollment will be automatically enrolled in UMP Classic starting January 1, 2025.
  • Health savings account (HSA) maximum: The annual maximum contribution to the Health Savings Account (HSA) will increase to $4,300 for a single subscriber and $8,550 for a subscriber with at least one enrolled dependent.
  • Deductible for Consumer-Directed Health Plan: The IRS raised the minimum deductible for high-deductible health plans to $1,650 for a single subscriber and $3,300 for a subscriber with at least one enrolled dependent.
  • Flexible spending arrangement (FSA): The annual maximum contribution for the FSA and Limited Purpose FSA will increase to $3,200.
  • Behavioral health resources: The 2025 Medical Benefits At-a-Glance includes a section to compare behavioral health benefits by plan. You can also visit the Behavioral health services by plan webpage.
  • Reduction in cost for inhalers and epinephrine injectors: Out-of-pocket costs will be capped at $35 for a 30-day supply of inhaled corticosteroids combination products and epinephrine autoinjectors.
  • Increasing access to Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) Post-Exposure Prophylaxis (PEP): Plans will be prohibited from cost-sharing or prior authorization requirements for at least one full PEP regimen.

Dental plan reminder

The PEBB Program offers two dental plans administered by Delta Dental that are often confused. Sometimes people intend to enroll in the Uniform Dental Plan (UDP) but accidentally enroll in DeltaCare, or vice versa. During open enrollment, be careful to choose the dental plan you want.

  • DeltaCare (Group 3100) is a managed-care plan with a narrow network. You must choose a primary care dentist within the network, or you will be assigned a primary care dentist. Your primary care dentist must give you a referral to see a specialist. The plan will not pay claims if you see a provider outside of the network.
  • Uniform Dental Plan (Group 3000) is a preferred provider plan. You may choose and change to any dental provider at any time, but you will typically have a lower out-of-pocket cost if you see in-network providers.

Compare your dental plan options on the PEBB Program’s Dental plans and benefits webpage. Before you enroll in a dental plan, check with the plan (DeltaCare or UDP, not the provider) to see if your provider is in the plan’s network and confirm the group number. You can call the dental plan’s customer service or use the plan’s online directory.

For questions about:

PEBB Open Enrollment webpage

PEBB Program’s annual open enrollment begins October 28

The Public Employees Benefits Board (PEBB) Program’s annual open enrollment begins October 28, 2024 and ends November 25, 2024. This is a change from past open enrollments held in November. Please note the dates to ensure you do not miss your opportunity to make changes.

Open enrollment is a time when you can make changes to your health plans and enrollment. This year, all employees are being asked to select a vision plan. Routine vision benefits will be available through new vision plans and separated from medical coverage beginning January 1, 2025. Even if you are not making changes to your medical and dental plans, be sure to elect one of the three vision plans for you and your enrolled dependents. Like dental coverage, the vision plans’ monthly premiums are covered by your employer.

Annual open enrollment changes are effective January 1, 2025. This means that when you make changes during annual open enrollment, your current enrollment will stay the same through December 31, 2024.

Changes you can make

During annual open enrollment you can:

  • Change your medical plan
  • Change your dental plan
  • Add or remove dependents
  • Attest to the spouse or state-registered domestic partner coverage premium surcharge for 2025, if required
  • Enroll or reenroll in the Flexible Spending Arrangement (FSA), limited purpose FSA, or Dependent Care Assistance Program (DCAP) through Navia Benefit Solutions
  • Enroll in medical coverage, if waived
  • Waive your medical coverage if you are enrolled in another employer-based group medical plan, TRICARE, or Medicare

Election you must make:

  • Choose one of the three vision plans for you and your dependents

Learn more about the changes you can make on the PEBB open enrollment webpage and in the October For Your Benefit newsletter.

How to make changes or enroll in a vision plan

Starting October 28, 2024, you can make changes by:

  • Logging in to Benefits 24/7. Benefits 24/7 requires a SecureAccess Washington (SAW) login; you can use an existing SAW login or create a SAW login by clicking on the Benefits 24/7 link. Note: University of Washington (UW) and Washington State University (WSU) employees must use Workday.
  • Submitting a paper enrollment/change form and any other required documents to your payroll or benefits office. 2025 forms will be available on the Health Care Authority website under Forms and publications.

Questions

For questions about:

  • Your enrollment or PEBB account: Contact your payroll or benefits office.
  • Benefits: Contact the plans.
  • Benefits 24/7: Go to the Help with Benefits 24/7 webpage or call the login assistance phone line at 1-866-335-0043. This line is for employee login issues only. Contact your payroll or benefits office for non-login related issues.

PEBB Open Enrollment webpage