Thank you to every Regence or Kaiser Permanente subscriber who joined the Active&Fit Direct gym program over last year. Please know that on July 1, 2024, Active&Fit is making a policy change to your membership. Learn more.

We’re halfway through 2024, and it’s a good time to check your Flexible Spending Account (FSA) balances and take steps to make sure you spend your remaining funds before the end of the year. Here’s some additional reminders:

Health Care FSAs

• Use Health Care FSA funds to purchase summer-related items such as sunscreen, first aid kits, and prescription sunglasses.
• Schedule any necessary back-to-school check-ups and sports physicals if you have children.
• Many over-the-counter items are FSA-eligible, such as pain relievers, cold and allergy medicine, antacids, and feminine care. See the complete list of Health Care FSA Eligible & Ineligible Expenses. You can also shop online at the FSA Store.
• This year, you can roll over up to $640 of unused funds into next year. Any other remaining funds in your account are forfeited.

Day Care FSAs

• Use your Day Care FSA to pay for day care or dependent care expenses for your child under age 13, disabled spouse, or dependent parent so you can work or attend school full-time.
• Day Care FSA funds can also be used to pay eligible family members to watch your children.
• Online or virtual day cares and camps are not eligible for reimbursement, according to IRS regulations. See the complete list of Day Care FSA Eligible & Ineligible Expenses.
• If you do not use all your Day Care FSA funds within the plan year (Jan. 1—Dec. 31, 2024), any remaining funds will be forfeited.

For additional information, go to Flexible Spending Accounts. If you have questions about your FSA benefits, contact Navia Benefit Solutions at 425-452-3500 or email Navia Benefit Solutions.

King County and its labor unions have engaged trusted vendor Mercer Consulting to conduct a routine eligibility audit to manage regulatory compliance and health insurance costs.

Employees are required to review plan eligibility requirements and provide documentation supporting the eligibility of each dependent or indicate removal for any family member who is not eligible.

For King County employees who need a certified copy of their Washington marriage certificate for dependent verification, the King County Recorder’s Office can provide these for a fee of $3 per copy. This fee is set by state law and cannot be waived.

• Copies can be ordered online at kingcounty.gov/recorder. Use the “Request a Copy” button to get started.
• For those who want to get a copy of their marriage certificate in person, visit the King County Customer Service Center on the second floor of King Street Center, 201 S. Jackson St. The Recorder’s Office service windows are in the South Lobby. Office hours are 8:30am to 4:30pm weekdays.
  • Use the QLess Kiosk in the South Lobby to reserve your place in line, or make an appointment on the QLess website.
• Due to high demand, please use the online ordering option or visit the Recorder’s Office in person rather than calling the Recorder’s Office customer service line.
• The Recorder’s Office can only provide copies of certificates for marriages performed in Washington State. If you were married in another state or country, you will need to contact the appropriate agency in that state or country.

For employees who need to get a copy of a birth certificate for dependent verification, King County Vital Statistics can provide these for $25 per copy, plus fees depending on how you order.

• Online/by mail: Copies can be ordered through the Vital Statistics webpage.
• By phone: Call VitalChek toll free at 1-888-273-4623.
• In person: Visit the King County Customer Service Center on the second floor of King Street Center, 201 S. Jackson St. The Vital Statistics service windows are in the East Lobby. Office hours are 8:30am to 4:30pm weekdays.
  • Use the QLess Kiosk in the East Lobby to reserve your place in line, or make an appointment on the QLess website.
• Vital Statistics can only provide copies of birth certificates from Washington State. If your dependent was born in another state or country, you will need to contact the appropriate agency in that state or country.

If you cover a family member on your King County medical, dental, or vision plan, look for your Audit ID and instructions for completing the required dependent eligibility verification process sent from Mercer Consulting by mail and email.

King County and its labor unions have engaged trusted vendor Mercer Consulting to conduct a routine eligibility audit to manage regulatory compliance and health insurance costs.

If you deleted the email from Mercer: If you cover a family member on your employee medical, dental, or vision plan, and you did not receive an email from Mercer, look for the letter sent to your mailing address. If you deleted or reported the Mercer email as phishing, you should still receive future notices from Mercer.

If you can’t find your Audit ID: If you didn’t receive an email or letter from Mercer with your Audit ID, please call Mercer at 866-703-3763.

If you don’t have the documents required for verification: For Washington births and marriages, see information about obtaining official documents here. Outside of Washington, an official certificate of every birth, death, marriage, and divorce should be on file in the state, city, or county where the event occurred. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention lists contacts for each U.S. state and territory. You can also use VitalChek. For a copy of your tax return, go to the IRS website or call the IRS at 800-829-1040.

If your documents are not in English: Please submit a copy of your original document and Mercer will make every attempt to translate it. If Mercer is unable to translate it, you will be placed in an “incomplete status” and Mercer will notify you that an official English translation is required.

The deadline is July 29, 2024: Use your Audit ID to access the Mercer Secure Website, upload documentation, and complete the verification process for each enrolled family member by July 29, 2024. Failure to do so will result in your unverified family member losing coverage on Sept. 30, 2024.

More information:

• FAQ
• Dependent Eligibility Verification Website Demo
  • For employees on the KingCare PPO medical plan, the King County Benefit Access Fee form must be submitted and can be found in the website portal on the left hand menu under the title Helpful Information.
• Overview video: English, Spanish, Russian, Vietnamese, Simplified Chinese
• Contact Mercer at 866-703-3763