Employee Benefits

SEBB 2026 Annual Open Enrollment is Now Closed

The SEBB Program's Annual Open Enrollment (OE) for 2026 was October 27 - November 24, 2025. Annual open enrollment is now closed.

When is the next annual open enrollment to make benefit changes? The SEBB Programs's Annual Open Enrollment (OE) for 2027 will be: October 26 - November 23, 2026. Changes made during next annual open enrollment and 2027 premiums will go into effect on: January 1, 2027.

Additional Qualifying Employees to Receive $200 Employer-Paid CBA FSA Contribution

In January 2026, qualifying SEBB Program subscribers whose annual rate of pay was $40,000 or less as of June 30, 2025 may have received a $200 flexible spending arrangement (FSA) contribution. Subscribers who were determined eligible, by the SEBB Program, to receive the $200 FSA contribution were sent a notification via mail.

Additional Eligible SEBB Subscriber Notifications The SEBB Program has recently found additional SEBB subscribers who they have identified as qualifying for the $200 FSA contribution. During the week of August 10th, Navia Benefits Solutions will mail a welcome letter to additional subscribers who qualified for the contribution. Following that letter, recipients may get a debit card in an unmarked envelope. The debit card can be used by employee subscribers to spend their FSA funds on eligible expenses.

Reminder of the Requirements to Qualify According to the SEBB Program, to be eligible to receive this contribution an employee must have met the following criteria:

Employed in a SEBB benefits-eligible position on January 1, 2026.
Annual earnable compensation, as defined in Chapter 41.32 (TRS) or 41.35 (SERS) RCW, did not exceed $40,000 as of June 30 of the previous fiscal year.
Employee or their spouse are not enrolled in an HDHP with an HSA.
Employee meets the other eligibility criteria as described in the Health Care Coalition Agreement, including (a) they are enrolled in a medical plan offered by the SEBB Program that is not an HDHP with an HSA; (b) have not waived SEBB Program enrollment.

Retirement Timing and SEBB Benefit Eligibility

The School Employees' Benefits Board (SEBB) provide health insurance to eligible school employees. As you plan to transition from being a working employee to a retiree, you will need to consider health coverage. If you are planning to receive SEBB benefits in July and August, you may not choose a June or July retirement date. For more information on how your retirement date affects your SEBB benefit coverage, please review the "School employees and teachers: when is the best time to retire?" article posted on February 12, 2026 by the Washington State Department of Retirement Systems. Prospective retirees may find information about PEBB retiree benefits such as eligibility, the enrollment process and benefit availability by visiting the WA HCA Retirees section.

Need to make a change to your SEBB benefits?

Certain life events let you change your benefits outside of annual open enrollment. These events are called "special open enrollment" events. To learn what events qualify for special enrollment and the steps you need to take to change your benefits, please visit the WA HCA website/"Special open enrollment" section.

SEBB Eligibility - How is eligibility determined?

SEBB benefit eligibility is triggered by specific employment circumstances, based on the rules in WAC 182-30 and WAC 182.31. The most current information on SEBB benefit eligibility is available from the WA HCA website>School Employees/"Am I eligible?" section. If you are determined to be eligible for SEBB benefits, your monthly premiums can be reviewed via Employee Access>Check History>"Deductions" and will appear coded according to your medical plan selection.

Please note: for SEBB eligible employees who WAIVE benefit coverage, the district is still responsible for the "employer contribution" paid to the WA HCA, which will appear on Employee Access>Check History>"Benefits" in the amount of $1,307.00 per month (9/1/25-8/31/26 rate). This is the mandatory employer contribution paid by the school district, not the employee, to the WA HCA for all SEBB eligible employee determinations.

Newly eligible for SEBB benefits?

If you are recently hired and benefit eligible, your SEBB benefits will begin the first day of the month following your start date (per WAC 182-31-040). All SEBB benefit information is available to start exploring, at any time, by visiting the WA HCA website>"School Employees" section. SEBB benefit eligibility/enrollment information will be sent to employees via email, as soon as the district eligibility determination has been made.

SEBB Enrollment Guide - Plan Comparisons, Costs, Supplemental Plans, etc..

Plan ID cards - After you enroll, your health plans will send you an identification (ID) card to show providers when you receive care.

If you have questions about your ID card, contact your plan.

The Uniform Dental Plan does not mail ID cards, but you may download one from the the Delta Dental website.

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Current employee plan changes & information

Need to contact one of your plans? CLICK HERE!

Behavioral Health Services - each medical plan provides access to behavioral health services. Review behavioral health services by plan to learn more about the services available and how to access them. Start exploring your SEBB Behavioral Health Services options with these toolkit materials:

What changes can you make at any time?

What changes can you make during annual open enrollment?

How do you make changes outside of annual open enrollment?

To make changes that do NOT qualify as a Special Open Enrollment (SOE) event,
the next annual open enrollment is:

The next SEBB Program's Annual Open Enrollment (OE) will be
October-November 2025, exact dates TBD.

What happens if you stop working?

SEBB Continuation Coverage Info

Other Benefit Options:

Employee Assistance Program (EAP) - Free and confidential counseling services for employees. (Four sessions per person, per issue).
Contact: First Choice Health, Phone#: 1.800.777.4114. Please reference Username: shoreline

Dependent Care Assistance Program (DCAP) - which allows you to set aside pretax money from your paycheck to help pay for qualifying child care or elder care expenses. You must re-enroll in this benefit every year if you want to participate.

Flexible Spending Arrangements (FSAs) - allow you to set aside pretax money from your paycheck to pay for out-of-pocket health care costs. You must re-enroll in this benefit every year if you want to participate.

Life and Accidental Death & Dismemberment (AD&D) Insurance

Long-term Disability (LTD) Insurance

SmartHealth Wellness Programs

SEBB Intercom Flyers

SEBB Intercom May 2026 Flyer - mailed to staff 5/14/2026 - this newsletter contains information about how to handle a surprise medical bill, tools for managing stress, tips on storing and disposing of prescription drugs, and much more!
SEBB Intercom February 2026 Flyer - mailed to staff 2/20/2026 - this newsletter provides a refresher on SEBB insurance coverage for vaccines and the West Coast Alliance, a guide to understanding cholesterol, tips for improving your sleep habits, and much more!
SEBB Intercom October 2025 Flyer - mailed to staff 10/14/2025 - learn about benefit changes for 2026, review plan premiums, see the in-person benefits fair schedule, and learn all about open enrollment.