Action required for WWU faculty, staff to avoid health insurance surcharges

Notice has been sent to benefits-eligible employees about upcoming premium surcharges and the wellness incentive attestation period that begins April 1.

A second letter was mailed on March 28 that outlines the actions employees need to take to attest to the surcharges and earn the wellness incentive in January 2015.

The following changes could possibly affect employees' PEBB health coverage costs:

Tobacco use premium surcharge: Employees will pay a monthly $25-per-account surcharge in addition to premiums starting July 1 if they or a family member enrolled on the employee's PEBB medical coverage uses a tobacco product.

Spouse or domestic partner coverage premium surcharge: Employees will pay a $50-per-month surcharge in addition to premiums starting July 1 if they have a spouse or domestic partner enrolled on he employee's PEBB medical coverage who has chosen not to enroll in medical coverage through his or her employer that is comparable to the Uniform Medical Plan Classic.

SmartHealth wellness incentive program: Employees can earn a wellness incentive in January 2015 by doing three health-related tasks. The incentive will be a $125 reduction in the medical deductible or, for subscribers in a consumer-directed health plan, a one-time deposit of $125 into an eligible subscriber's PEBB health savings account in 2015 (pending approval for state funding). See www.hca.wa.gov/pebb/Pages/wellness.aspx for eligibility requirements.

Have questions? Visit the frequently asked questions page to find more information about the premium surcharges and the wellness incentive. To avoid the premium surcharges, employees must take action between April 1 and May 15.

A representative from the Public Employee Benefit Board will be on the Western Washington University campus April 1 to kick off the open enrollment period (April 1 to May 15) for the tobacco surcharge, spousal surcharge and wellness incentive. A short presentation (approximately 10 minutes) will occur each half hour between 8:30 a.m. and noon, followed by a question and answer period. Representatives from Western's Human Resources will also be on hand.

Those who would like to attend an information session but cannot make it on Tuesday may attend additional sessions hosted by Human Resources:

• 9 to 10 a.m. April 10, Viking Union Room 552
• 3:30 to 4:30 p.m. April 16, VU 552
• 8:30 to 9:30 a.m. April 24, Wilson Library Presentation Room

Additional information regarding the surcharges and incentive program can be found on the Human Resources website. The office also is available at benefits@wwu.edu or 360-650-3774.

Don't forget Western's Wellness classes are a great opportunity to meet the SmartHealth wellness program activity requirement for the wellness incentive program.