News & Announcements
Employee Health Plans and the End of COVID-19 Public Health Emergency: The federal government announced that the national COVID-19 Emergency ended on April 10, 2023. With the end of the emergency, some employee benefits will revert to pre-pandemic coverage levels and timelines. See the below summary.
2021 Flexible Spending Account (FSA) Claims: The claim filing grace period extension has ended. File any remaining 2021 Healthcare or Day Care FSA reimbursement claims with Navia Benefit Solutions by May 5, 2023
2022 Flexible Spending Account Claims: File your 2022 reimbursement claims with Navia by October 8, 2023. Submit paperless claims online or through the MyNavia mobile app.
COBRA Enrollment: The deadline extension for electing COBRA continuation coverage and paying COBRA premiums will end on June 9, 2023. Pre-pandemic timelines will resume as outlined in COBRA notification letters.
COVID Medical Services Coverage: See the summary chart for COVID-19 diagnostic testing, vaccines, and treatment coverage effective May 12, 2023.
Trusted Benefits Vendors Communications: Did you receive an email at work from a benefits vendor and are not sure if it's legitimate? Check the benefits chart here for trusted/approved sender email addresses and domain names.
Health Plan Cost Transparency: As part of the Transparency in Coverage Final Rule, group health plans and health insurance issuers are required to post machine-readable files (MRFs) on a publicly available website, updated monthly. These files permit the public to have access to health plan payment information that can be used to understand health plan pricing and the cost of health care services.
Aetna medical and pharmacy files
Kaiser medical and pharmacy files (select "Washington" from either in-network or out-of-network readable files)
Expanding Benefits Access – Improving Health Equity: The City of Seattle made some important equity changes to employee health benefits in 2022. These include expanded access to the Employee Assistance Program, additional gender-affirming care services, and expanded access to infertility services. For change details, see the below infographics.
Employee Assistance Program
Gender-Affirming Care Services
Fertility Services (Most Employee Benefits coverage only)
WA Cares Fund Exemption Application Process Update:
Washington State has created a program called the WA Cares Fund to provide long-term care insurance benefits for workers. The program will provide eligible individuals with up to $36,500 in lifetime benefits toward certain costs related to long-term care. Benefits under the program will become available on July 1, 2026.
Funding for the program will come from premiums paid by workers in the form of a new payroll tax starting July 2023. Most employees will be automatically enrolled in the program and begin paying a tax of 58 cents for every $100 earned (0.58%) via a deduction from their paycheck. For example, if an employee earns $50,000 annually, the total annual premium is $290 or $12.08 per paycheck. There is no cap on taxable earnings.
If you enrolled in the City of Seattle offered long-term care plan through Chubb Insurance during the 2021 special enrollment or another qualifying private long-term care insurance plan (including through the previously offered John Hancock and Prudential insurance carriers), WA Cares Fund exemption applications are available. Below are the steps to apply for a permanent exemption.
- Submit an exemption application to the Washington State Employment Security Department (ESD) at http://www.wacaresfund.wa.gov/private-insurance/.
- ESD will review your application and notify you if you're eligible for an exemption from WA Cares coverage.
- If ESD approves your application, you'll get an exemption approval letter from ESD, at which point you'll be:
- Removed from the program with no option to re-enroll.
- Disqualified from accessing WA Cares benefits in your lifetime.
- Required to present your exemption approval letter to all current and future employers. If you fail to present your ESD approval letter, employers will withhold non-refundable WA Cares premiums.
- Submit your exemption approval letter to the City of Seattle
I have applied for an exemption with ESD and received an approval letter, what do I do now?
To prevent paycheck deductions for WA Cares, employees are required to present their ESD exemption approval letter to their employer. Current employees must upload their ESD exemption letter to the City Payroll WA Cares Exemption site before June 30, 2023, to prevent deductions from their July 14, 2023, paycheck. New hires should upload their exemption letter to the City Payroll site immediately upon hire.
To upload an exemption approval letter to the City Payroll WA Cares Exemption site, click here. Exemption approval letters will not be accepted through email. If you have already uploaded an exemption letter previously, you do not need to take any action now. If you want to check the status of your submission, click here.
To access the frequently asked questions document click FAQ for Employees. For detailed information about the WA Cares Fund and the exemption process, click WA Cares Fund. Additionally, employees with questions about their private policy with Chubb should contact them directly at (855) 241-9891 or by e-mail at csmail@gotoservice.chubb.com.
2023 Benefits Orientation - Regular Employees: View the recorded presentation for information including making the most of City of Seattle employee benefits, healthcare plans for the Most benefits program, employee well-being programs, Flexible Spending Accounts, optional insurances, employee responsibilities, and things to remember (57 minutes and 3 seconds). See the Benefits Orientation time stamp map.
2022 Benefits Orientation - Temporary Benefits Eligible Employees: View the recorded presentation for information on benefits for temporary employees who are eligible for City of Seattle benefits (45 minutes). See the recording time stamp map.
Deferred Compensation Plan Orientation: View the recorded presentation here.
Health Plan Options for Retiring Employees Seminar: View the recorded presentation for information about City-sponsored retiree health plan options; what employees should consider prior to retiring; COBRA considerations; premiums; how Medicare plays a role and employees' responsibilities (25 minutes).
June 2023 Well-Being Newsletter: Find City well-being and benefits programs and events along with articles on looking forward to 2023 and beyond, timing your exercise, nutrition - sleep on it, coping with pressure, and the annual safety gift guide.
Check the online edition for additional tools and tips. Share the newsletter with family members by forwarding it to your personal email address.
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