1. CHANGES EFFECTIVE JANUARY 1, 2019 
    2. Q:                  What is an HSA or Health Savings Account?
    3. Q:                  What is covered under a HSA or Health Savings Account?
    4. Q:               How much can I save in an HSA or Health Savings Account?
    5. Still have questions? Would you like help evaluating your options?
    6. There are three benefit help sessions:
    7. Open enrollment ends Thursday November 15, 2018 at 4:00 pm PST 



    From: Benefits

    Sent: Wed Oct 24 08:26:01 2018

    Subject: Open Enrollment - 10/19/18 - 11/15/18 @ 4:00 - HSA vs. FSA & Information about SEBB

    Importance: Normal

     
      
      
     
    ANNUAL BENEFITS OPEN ENROLLMENT
    OCTOBER 19, 2018 through NOVEMBER 15, 2018 @ 4:00 P.M. 





    CHANGES EFFECTIVE JANUARY 1, 2019 

      





    Q:                  What is an HSA or Health Savings Account?

      

    A:                     A   health savings account  ( HSA ) is a tax-advantaged   medical  savings account available to taxpayers in the United States who are enrolled in a high-deductible health plan  (QHDHP – The district offers the Aetna Saver Plan). The funds contributed to an account are not subject to federal income tax at the time of deposit 

      





    Q:                  What is covered under a HSA or Health Savings Account?

      

    A:                     A   Health Savings Account , or   HSA , is a personal savings account that allows you to pay for medical expenses with tax-free dollars.   HSAs  are designed to complement a special type of health insurance called an   HSA qualified  high-deductible health plan (QHDHP).   The district offers a QHDHP – The Aetna Saver Plan.   

      





    Q:               How much can I save in an HSA or Health Savings Account?

      

    A:             For employee only coverage the maximum you can contribute is $3,450.00 a year.   For family coverage, the maximum contribution is $6,900.00 a year.   If you are age 55 or older you can contribute an additional $1000.00 a year.   

      

    Q:               Does the district contribute to the HSA or Health Savings Account 

      

    A:             The district does not contribute, as a publicly funded employer, any contribution would be a gift of public funds.   

      

    Q:               What is the difference between HSA or Health Savings Account and FSA or Flexible Spending Account?

      

    A:                Here ’s a chart to help you understand the differences: 
      

     
    Health savings account (HSA) 

     
    Flexible spending arrangement (FSA) 

     
    Eligibility requirements: 

     
    Requirements include having a high-deductible health plan (QHDHP) Aetna Saver 

     
    No eligibility requirements 

     
    Contribution limits: 

     
    2019 contributions capped at $3,450 for individuals or $6,9000 for families 

     
    2019 contributions capped at $2,650 

     
    Changing contribution amount:   

     
    You can change how much you contribute to the account at any point during the year. 

     
    Contribution amounts can be changed only at open enrollment or with a change in employment or family status. 

     
    Rollover:

     
    Unused balances roll over into the next year. 

     
    With some exceptions, FSAs are “use it or lose it, ” and you forfeit any unused balance. (IRS will allow roll over of up to $500 unused dollars) 

     
    Connection to employer: 

     
    Your HSA can follow you as you change employment. 

     
    In most cases, you ’ll lose your FSA with a job change. One exception: if you ’re eligible for FSA continuation through COBRA. 

     
    Effect on taxes: 

     
    Contributions are tax-deductible, but can also be taken out of your pay pretax. Growth and distributions are tax-free. 

     
    Contributions are pretax, and distributions are untaxed. 


      

      

      





    Still have questions? Would you like help evaluating your options?

      

    Representatives from Aetna and Kaiser Permanente will be at the benefit help sessions.   Benefits staff will also be available for Employee Online enrollment assistance.

      





    There are three benefit help sessions:

      

    Drop-in Help Sessions:
    Location 

     
    Date 

     
    Room 

     
    Lowell Elementary 

    5010 View Drive 

    Everett WA 98203 

     
    Thursday 

    November 1, 2018 

    3:00 to 5:30 p.m. 

     
    Library 

     
    Community Resource Center 

    Wellness Fair and Support 

    3900 Broadway Ave 

    Everett, WA 98201 

     
    Tuesday 

    November 6, 2018 

    2:00 to 6:00 p.m. 

     
    Port Gardner A & B

      

     
    Community Resource Center 

    3900 Broadway Ave 

    Everett, WA 98201 

      

     
    Wednesday 

    November 14, 2018 

    2:30 to 5:30 p.m. 

     
    San Juan Island Room 

      


      

      

      





    Open enrollment ends Thursday November 15, 2018 at 4:00 pm PST 

    Call the benefits team at 425-385-4115 or Send an email to benefits@everettsd.org  with any questions.

      

      

    School Employees Benefits Board (SEBB) Program 

      

    In 2017, the Washington State Legislature directed the Health Care Authority (HCA) to administer health care and other benefits (such as life insurance) for all Washington State school employees through the School Employees Benefits Board (SEBB) Program. 

    Starting January 1, 2020, all K-12 school districts, educational service districts, and charter schools will be required to participate in the SEBB Program. The SEBB Program will obtain health care and other benefits for eligible school employees statewide, and the benefits structure may change at that time. 

    The School Employees Benefits Board (SEB Board) studies, designs, and approves comprehensive and cost-effective insurance benefit plans for school employees and  establishes eligibility criteria for participation in these plans. The SEB Board is separate and independent from the Public Employees Benefits Board (PEB Board). 

    If the legislature funds the SEBB program, Everett Public Schools will move to SEBB for all benefits. More information will come once decisions are made by the legislature and on the SEBB website:

      

    https://www.hca.wa.gov/about-hca/school-employees-benefits-board-sebb-program  

      

      

      

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