At Oak Harbor Schools, we recognize that our valued employees are our most important resource. That's why we offer a competitive benefits package that includes medical, retirement benefits, and much more. You may elect benefits for yourself as well as your spouse or state-registered domestic partner and children. Contact us at 360.279.5000 for additional information.
Benefits Include:
Generally, employees hired into a position in which they are anticipated to work at least 630 hours in the current school year will be eligible for benefits through the SEBB Program. Learn about your eligibility for SEBB benefits.
If you are eligible for SEBB Program benefits, you must enroll within 31 days of becoming eligible for the employer contribution toward SEBB Program benefits. The easiest way to enroll is online, using SEBB My Account. See the Quick Start Guide on page 6 of the 2023 School Employee Enrollment Guide to learn how to set up your account.
The SEBB Program offers a range of health plans and other benefits, including:
Employer-paid benefits
Employee-paid benefits
If considered to be eligible for the retirement benefit through the Department of Retirement Systems, you must choose between DRS Plan 2 and Plan 3. Newly eligible employees have 90 days from their position start date to choose a plan or they are defaulted into Plan 2 with a rate option of 7.76% for SERS members or 8.05% for TRS members (this rate is subject to change based on legislative changes). Your plan choice is permanent.
For questions about the plans, contact the Department of Retirement Systems.
Phone: 360-664-7000 or 800-547-6657
Mailing address: PO Box 48380 | Olympia, WA 98504-8380
Visit: 6835 Capitol Blvd SE | Tumwater, WA 98501
You should contact the plans when you have questions about:
Medical Plan Contacts
Dental Plan Contacts
Vision Plan Contacts
Health Savings Account (HSA)
Flexible Spending Arrangement (FSA) and Dependent Care Assistance Program (DCAP)
Life and Accidental Death & Dismemberment (AD&D) Insurance
Long-Term Disability Insurance
SmartHealth Customer Service (Limeade)
Medical Plans
All SEBB benefit-eligible school employees are offered a selection of plans based on their county of residence.
There are several SEBB Program medical plans to choose from:
You may waive your enrollment in SEBB medical coverage if you are enrolled in other employer-based group medical insurance, a TRICARE plan, or Medicare.
Resources:
Dental Plans
If you are eligible for SEBB benefits, dental coverage is included for you and your eligible dependents. The coverage is mandatory and the premium paid by Oak Harbor Public Schools.
There are three SEBB program dental plans to choose from:
Keep in mind:
Vision Plans
If you are eligible for SEBB Program benefits, vision coverage is included for you and your eligible dependents. The coverage is mandatory and the premium paid by Oak Harbor Public Schools.
There are three SEBB Program vision plans to choose from:
Be sure to check with the plan to see if your vision provider is in the plan's network.
Long-Term Disability (LTD) Insurance
The SEBB Program provides basic long-term disability (LTD) insurance at no cost to SEBB benefit-eligible school employees. Starting January 2022, benefit-eligible employees are also auto-enrolled in the 60% employee-paid supplemental long-term disability insurance unless they specifically decline the coverage or choose the 50% coverage, instead.
The basic long-term disability insurance provides for:
The 60% employee-paid supplemental long-term disability insurance provides for:
The 50% employee-paid supplemental long-term disability insurance provides for:
The Standard for School Employees webpage
Life and Accidental Death & Dismemberment (AD&D) Insurance
The SEBB Program provides basic life and accidental death and dismemberment (AD&D) insurance at no cost to SEBB benefits-eligible school employees. If eligible, you will automatically be enrolled in basic life and AD&D insurance, even if you waive medical coverage. Supplemental life and AD&D insurance is also available for purchase. The benefits are provided though MetLife.
The basic life and AD&D insurance provides for:
As an employee, your basic life insurance covers you and pays your designated beneficiaries in the event of your death. AD&D insurance provides extra benefits for certain injuries or death resulting from a covered accident.
You may apply for up to the guaranteed issue amounts of supplemental life insurance without submitting evidence of insurability to MetLife no later than 31 days after the date you become eligible for SEBB benefits. If you apply for or increase your life insurance coverage amounts outside the deadline, you must provide evidence of insurability to MetLife for approval.
To enroll in supplemental life and/or AD&D insurance, or to name a beneficiary, visit MetLife's MyBenefits website and register an account.
SEBB Life and AD&D Insurance webpage
Medical Flexible Spending Arrangement (FSA)
The Medical Flexible Spending Arrangement (FSA) lets you set aside pretax money from your paycheck to pay for out-of-pocket health care costs (deductibles, co-pays, coinsurance, dental, vision, and more). Navia Benefit Solutions processes claims and provides customer service for School Employees Benefits Board (SEBB) subscribers.
The Medical FSA plan year runs from January 1 through December 31 every year, and the grace period runs through March 15 of the following year. Claims for reimbursement must be submitted to Navia Benefit Solutions no later than March 31 of the following year. There are upper and lower limitations to how much money can be carried over from one plan year to the next.
In order to participate, enrollment must take place either within 31 days from the start of your SEBB-eligible position or during the yearly open enrollment period. You cannot have a Medical FSA and a Health Savings Account (HSA) at the same time.
Navia Benefit Solutions webpage
Dependent Care Assistance Program (DCAP)
The Dependent Care Assistance Program (DCAP) lets you set aside pretax money from your paycheck to help pay for qualifying child care or elder care expenses. Navia Benefits Solutions processes claims and provides customer service for School Employee Benefits Board (SEBB) subscribers.
The plan year runs from January 1 through December 31 every year. All DCAP expenses must be incurred by December 31 each year. Claims for reimbursement must be submitted to Navia Benefit Solutions no later than March 31 of the following year. After that date, accounts are closed and any remaining balances forfeited to the Health Care Authority.
In order to participate, enrollment must take place either within 31 days from the start of your SEBB-eligible position or during the yearly open enrollment period.
Navia Benefit Solutions webpage
Health Savings Account (HSA)
Health Savings Accounts (HSAs) are available to subscribers enrolled in a SEBB high-deductible health plan (HDHP) and are administered by HealthEquity. You can use your HSA to pay for IRS-qualified, out-of-pocket medical expenses (deductibles, copays, coinsurance, and more). You can spend HSA funds on qualified expenses for your spouse or other tax dependents, even if they aren't covered on your medical, dental, and vision plans. The funds in your HSA roll over from year to year, which means your HSA balance can grow over the years, earn interest, and build savings you can use to pay for health care as needed.
You are not eligible to enroll in a HDHP with an HSA if:
If you are eligible and enrolled in a HDHP with an HSA, the Health Care Authority (on behalf of Oak Harbor Public Schools) may contribute the following amounts to your HSA:
If you have are enrolled in a HDHP with an HSA, you may contribute pretax money from your paycheck and have it deposited into your HSA. Contact the Benefits Office for more information.
Benefit-eligible employees may make changes to their benefit elections during annual open enrollment. Annual open enrollment usually takes place in October/November for the benefit year starting the following January 1.
Certain events let you make account changes (like changing plans or enrolling a dependent) outside of an annual open enrollment or your initial enrollment period. You must provide proof of the event that created the special open enrollment (for example: a marriage or birth certificate). A special open enrollment event may be requested online via SEBB My Account, or by completing the 2023 School Employee Change Form and submitting it to the Benefits Specialist. Click here for step-by-step instructions for completing your special open enrollment event via SEBB My Account. Note that special open enrollment requests must be completed within 60 days of your qualifying event.
Department of Retirement Systems (DRS)
Learn more about your plan, create benefit self-estimates, and log in to your account. Check out DRS' Financial Independence Checklist to help you consider ways you can plan for a financially secure retirement.
OMNI 403(b)
You have the opportunity to save for retirement by participating in the 403(b) retirement plan. A 403(b) plan is a retirement plan for certain employees of public schools and tax-exempt organizations. You do not pay income tax on allowable contributions until you begin making withdrawals from the plan, usually after your retirement. The maximum annual contribution limit for 2023 is $22,500. Participants age 50 and older may contribute additional funds.
403(b) Universal Availability Notice
For questions, please contact OMNI's Customer Care Center at 877.544.6664
Deferred Compensation Program (DCP)
The Deferred Compensation Program (DCP) is a special type of savings program that helps you invest for the retirement lifestyle you want to achieve. DCP lowers your taxable income while you are working and it delays payments of income taxes on your investments until you withdraw your funds. DCP is an IRC Section 457 plan administered by the Washington State Department of Retirement Systems (DRS). The maximum annual contribution limit for 2023 is $22,500. Participants age 50 and older may contribute additional funds.
For more information about DCP or assistance with your account:
Phone: 888.327.5596 or savewithwa@empower-retirement.com (or send a secure message through your online account.)
If you are a subscriber, dependent, or applicant for SEBB Program benefits, you may be able to file an appeal of a decision made by your employer, the SEBB Program, or the insurance carrier. Find out how you can appeal a decision or denial by your employer or the SEBB Program.
If you would like to check if your appeal has been received or request an expedited appeal for an urgent medical need, please call the SEBB Appeals Unit at 1-800-351-6827.
If you feel your life, health, or safety is at risk you should seek care immediately.
Certain eligibility requirements must be met to receive PEBB retiree insurance coverage. Depending on your situation, you may be able to enroll in PEBB retiree insurance coverage now or you might be able to take action to protect your eligibility for future enrollment. You have 60 days after your employer-paid or continuation coverage ends to notify the PEBB Program that you want to enroll or defer enrollment in PEBB retiree insurance coverage.
Timeline for those Retiring from a DRS Plan
Employment Ending Without Retirement - If you do not intend to retire when your employment ends, you may have the option to use COBRA coverage as a "bridge" to PEBB retiree insurance coverage.
Deferring PEBB Retiree Health Coverage - Postponing your PEBB retiree health plan coverage in a way that lets you keep your eligibility to enroll at a later date. In order to defer enrollment, you must meet the eligibility requirements to enroll in PEBB retiree insurance coverage.
For questions, contact PEBB Benefits Services at 1.800.200.1004.
2023 PEBB Retiree Enrollment Guide
2023 PEBB Retiree Election Form
Tutorial: How to complete Form A (PEBB Retiree Coverage Election Form)
When SEBB Program coverage ends, your SEBB benefits end the last day of the school year (August 31). Your benefits will end earlier if:
After eligibility for employer-paid coverage ends, you, your dependents, or both may be able to temporarily continue your SEBB insurance coverage by self-paying the premiums and applicable premium surcharges with no contribution from your employer.
The SEBB Program will mail a SEBB Continuation Coverage Election Notice booklet to you or your dependent. You or your eligible dependents must submit the appropriate election form to the SEBB Program no later than 60 days from the date SEBB health plan coverage ended or from the postmark date on the SEBB Continuation Coverage Election Notice, whichever is later.
For questions about your rights to continuation coverage, contact:
SEBB Program
1.800.200.1004 (toll free) and select menu option 6