WAC 182-12-270   What options for continuation coverage are available to dependents who cease to meet the eligibility criteria in WAC 182-12-260?  If eligible, dependents may continue health plan enrollment under one of the continuation coverage options in subsection (1) or (2) of this section by self-paying the full premiums set by the HCA, with no contribution from the employer, following their loss of eligibility under the subscriber's health plan coverage. The PEBB program must receive the appropriate forms as outlined in the PEBB Initial Notice of COBRA and Continuation Coverage Rights. Options for continuing health plan enrollment are based on the reason that eligibility was lost.

     (1) Spouses, Washington state registered domestic partners, or children who lose eligibility due to the death of an employee or retiree may be eligible to continue health plan enrollment under provisions of WAC 182-12-250 or 182-12-265; or

     (2) Dependents who lose eligibility because they no longer meet the eligibility criteria in WAC 182-12-260 are eligible to continue health plan enrollment under provisions of the federal Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act (COBRA). See WAC 182-12-146 for more information on COBRA.

Exception:

A qualified domestic partner who loses eligibility because he or she no longer meets the eligibility criteria in WAC 182-12-260 may continue health plan enrollment under an extension of PEBB insurance coverage for a maximum of thirty-six months.

     No PEBB continuation coverage will be offered unless the PEBB program is notified through hand-delivery or United States Postal Service mail of the qualifying event as outlined in the PEBB Initial Notice of COBRA and Continuation Coverage Rights.



[Statutory Authority: RCW 41.05.160. 09-23-102 (Order 09-02), § 182-12-270, filed 11/17/09, effective 1/1/10; 08-20-128 (Order 08-03), § 182-12-270, filed 10/1/08, effective 1/1/09; 07-20-129 (Order 07-01), § 182-12-270, filed 10/3/07, effective 11/3/07. Statutory Authority: RCW 41.05.160, 41.05.350, and 41.05.165. 05-16-046 (Order 05-01), § 182-12-270, filed 7/27/05, effective 8/27/05. Statutory Authority: RCW 41.05.160 and 41.05.165. 04-18-039, § 182-12-270, filed 8/26/04, effective 1/1/05.]