Submit claims for 2023 FSA funds by March 31, 2024
If you still have funds remaining in last year’s Health Care or Day Care Flexible Spending Account (FSA), be sure to get reimbursed for expenses incurred in 2023. Here’s how:
- Check your FSA balances:
Go to Navia Benefits and log in as a participant.
- Learn about eligible expenses incurred Jan. 1 through Dec. 31, 2023:
Health Care FSAs cover a variety of medically necessary expenses for you and your eligible family members, including deductibles, coinsurance, and copays, and other Eligible Health Care Expenses.
Day Care FSAs cover a range of services for your child, disabled spouse, or dependent parent that allow you to work, such as day care, preschool, day camps, before and after school care, elder care, and other Eligible Day Care Expenses.
- Gather documents:
Proper documentation to substantiate the claim includes the date of service, type of service, and cost of service. Day Care claims also need the provider tax ID, name of dependent, and age of dependent.
- Submit 2023 FSA claims by March 31, 2024:
See the 6 Ways to Submit Claims video:
- Pay health care providers directly using your FSA debit card. Use this method only for 2023 FSA claims.
- Submit a claim form and documentation by email.
- Use Navia’s online claim submission tool.
- Use the MyNavia mobile app on your mobile device.
- Fax your claims to 866-535-9277.
- Send claims to Navia by mail.
If you have questions about your FSA, contact Navia at 800-669-3539 or Navia Customer Service.
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New Director of Office of Equity, Racial and Social Justice
King County Executive Dow Constantine has selected Monisha Harrell to serve as the Director of the Office of Equity, Racial and Social Justice (OERSJ).
In this role, Monisha will oversee OERSJ’s crucial work of advancing and embedding all of our King County values – with a particular focus on “We are racially just” – across our operations to build a truly fair, racially just, and equitable community and workplace. She will support OERSJ in advancing equality and protections for LGBTQ+ people, ensuring access and equity for people with disabilities, and the completion and implementation of the revised ESJ Strategic Plan.
Monisha brings extensive experience in key leadership roles in both the public and private sectors to OERSJ, with an emphasis on centering racial justice, the advancement of civil rights, and community engagement. Most recently she served as Senior Deputy Mayor at the City of Seattle with responsibility for areas including Police, Fire, CSCC (911 Call Center), Office of Emergency Management, Budget, and Office of Intergovernmental Relations. She also served as a Deputy Monitor of the Justice Department’s Consent Decree of the Seattle Police Department.
Chief Equity and Inclusion Officer (CEIO) Anita Whitfield is stepping away from the role of OERSJ Director as she prepares for her retirement in the coming weeks. Until her retirement, she will advise Executive Constantine and the new OERSJ Director on ways to continue to advance and further embed anti-racism/pro-equity concepts and principles throughout the work of the County.
Monisha will officially start her new role on Monday, March 4.
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Professional Development Scholarship application period begins March 4
The second application period for the 2024 Coalition Labor Agreement Professional Development Scholarship is open from March 4 to March 31, 2024. These scholarship opportunities are offered to assist eligible employees with their career development. This application period is for scholarships to pay for training courses or degree programs that begin in 2024 or have tuition and fees to pay during 2024.
To apply: Visit the scholarship website and click the “Apply Here” button from March 4 through March 31. Please familiarize yourself with the eligibility and application requirements before submitting.
Awardees for this period will be notified via email by mid-May 2024. Awardees of a scholarship in 2023 are eligible to apply for the 2024 scholarship.
The scholarship is part of the County’s commitment to Investing in YOU and is designed to assist employees represented by a union in the Coalition of Unions with their professional development by providing up to $3,000 in financial assistance towards obtaining training, certificates, degrees, licenses, and certifications. For more information go to the Professional Development Scholarship website or email ScholarshipFund@kingcounty.gov.
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Children’s books are a family affair for FMD’s Dan Cromwell
In his spare time, Dan Cromwell, Emergency Management Program Manager for the Facilities Management Division, writes children’s books.
Cromwell’s work is a family affair. “My oldest daughter is my illustrator,” Cromwell said. ”My wife is my manager and helps me sell books at local events. My youngest daughter was the inspiration for the princess in my first book. So, it is definitely a family project and a labor of love.” Read more.
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How an award-winning approach to workforce development produced a new generation of wastewater talent
An award-winning approach to recruiting and training talent is providing King County with a new generation of skilled tradespeople to operate the region’s wastewater system and protect Puget Sound.
The National Association of Clean Water Agencies honored the program with its National Environmental Achievement Award for “initiatives that have made a remarkable impact on environmental protection, the advancement of the water sector, and the betterment of their communities.” Read more and watch the video.
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Do you take Humira? Important medication coverage update
If you or a family member take the medication Humira (adalimumab) and you’re on a Regence BlueShield medical plan, please note the following coverage change.
Starting April 1, 2024, Humira will no longer be covered for those on the Regence KingCare PPO and KingCare Select medical plans.
CVS Caremark®, the pharmacy benefits manager for Regence BlueShield, recently mailed letters to inform impacted members that the biologic drug, Humira, will be removed from the list of covered medications and replaced with biosimilar drugs. A list of covered alternate medications specific to the member’s condition was also provided. In addition, CVS has notified health care providers who prescribe Humira to their patients.
If you take Humira, it is imperative that you talk with your doctor and discuss options that are right for you. If you fill a prescription for Humira after April 1, 2024, it will not be covered, and you will have to pay the entire cost. If you can’t use a covered alternate medication for a medical reason, your doctor can request a medical necessity review through CVS.
If you have questions, please call CVS Caremark at 844-380-8838.
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New Public Records Act exemption available to protect employee safety
King County employees can now apply for an exemption from disclosures under the Public Records Act if they or their dependents are survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault, sexual abuse, stalking, or harassment.
Public employees can seek an exemption from having certain records such as their birthdate, job title, workplace address, work email address, work phone number, and bargaining unit disclosed under the Public Records Act if they or their dependents are survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault, sexual abuse, stalking, or harassment. The exemption from public disclosure does not apply to public records requests from the news media as defined in RCW 5.68.010: Protection from compelled disclosure—Exceptions.
Employees may be eligible for this exemption if they:
- Provide the county with proof of participation in the Washington Secretary of State Address Confidentiality Program;
- Provide a sworn statement attesting that they or their dependents are a survivor of domestic violence, sexual assault, sexual abuse, stalking, or harassment, and
- Provide the reasons why they have a reasonable basis to believe that the risk of domestic violence, sexual assault, sexual abuse, stalking, or harassment continues to exist.
Employees should talk with their HR Manager if they are interested in receiving more information about the process to seek this exemption.
Additional resources and information
King County offers employees two programs if they are experiencing life events that may be affecting their work or personal life: the Employee Assistance Program (EAP) and Making Life Easier (MLE):
Employee Assistance Program (EAP): The EAP is a service available to all employees. Assessments, brief counseling, and referrals for personal concerns such as family issues, relationship problems, alcohol and drug problems, emotional problems affecting work life, and a wide variety of other challenges are all part of the services.
- HRDEAP@kingcounty.gov
- www.kingcounty.gov/EAP
- 206-263-8733.
Making Life Easier (MLE): Provides counseling, credit and legal consultations, mortgage, and childcare resources, and more to employees and dependents at no cost to the employee.
- www.KCMakingLifeEasier.com
- Username: King County 1-888-874-7290, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
EAP/MLE Resources: King County EAP/MLE Domestic Violence Resource Flyer.
Domestic Violence in the Workplace policy: Offers support to employees who have experienced domestic violence or are at risk of experiencing domestic violence. It reiterates that King County will not tolerate acts of domestic violence in the workplace and encourages employees to seek help from a supervisor, manager, human resources professional, or the EAP to support the employee and help them get the assistance they need.
Additional resources
Address Confidentiality Program: Address Confidentiality Program (ACP) | WA Secretary of State
Domestic Violence Resources (King County employees): Available resources – King County, Washington
Domestic Violence Resources (general public): Domestic violence services – King County, Washington.
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Executive Constantine thanks Department of Community and Human Services Director Leo Flor for his leadership on transformative investments for the people of King County as he accepts a role outside government
King County Executive Dow Constantine today announced that Department of Community and Human Services (DCHS) director Leo Flor will be departing King County service this month for a role outside of government. Kelly Rider, currently serving as the department’s chief of staff, will become interim director following Flor’s departure on Feb. 27.
Flor joined King County in 2017 to lead the renewal and expansion of the Veterans, Seniors, and Human Services Levy (VSHSL). In 2018, Executive Constantine appointed Flor to serve as DCHS Director. DCHS is a 580-person department that invests in services for older adults, behavioral health treatment, education and employment opportunities for youth, services for people with developmental disabilities, and affordable housing and community development.
During his tenure, Flor oversaw critical components of King County’s COVID-19 response, including the lifesaving isolation and quarantine operations, the move from congregate shelters to hotel-based emergency housing, and the nearly $400 million rent assistance program that helped more than 39,000 households remain housed. Under Flor’s leadership, DCHS developed successful proposals for the Crisis Care Centers Levy (2023) and the Health Through Housing initiative (2020), secured the public trust in renewing Best Starts for Kids (2021) and VSHSL (2023) levies, and supported the creation of the King County Integrated Care Network.
“Leo’s tenure at DCHS included some of the most transformational investments made for the people of King County,” said Executive Constantine. “Without Leo’s determination and leadership, we wouldn’t have acquired more than 1,000 housing units for the chronically homeless, distributed hundreds of millions of dollars in rental assistance, or been able to invest in the future of our youngest residents, or ensured that we served the most vulnerable members of our community. We’ll miss him at King County and wish him all the best as he departs for his new role outside of government.”
Executive Constantine also announced Kelly Rider will serve as interim director of DCHS beginning Feb. 27. Rider previously served as chief of staff at DCHS, where she oversaw legislative efforts, policy development, critical partnerships, and investments in our region. Over the past two decades, Rider has led strategic initiatives across all levels of government in Washington state. Since joining DCHS in 2017, Rider has built long-lasting partnerships with cities and providers across King County to expand the regional impact of human services initiatives. Rider’s experience will allow for continued focus on the region’s most pressing issues, and leadership on key initiatives, including Best Starts for Kids, Crisis Care Centers, VSHSL, and MIDD Behavioral Health Sales Tax Fund.
“The next chapter of DCHS includes implementing some of our boldest investments to date, everything from Crisis Care Centers, furthering Best Starts for Kids, and our recently renewed Veterans, Seniors, and Human Services levy, and Kelly will ensure that all of these mission critical initiatives will continue as Interim Director for the department,” said Executive Constantine. “Her leadership inside DCHS and externally amongst our community partners give her the background and experience necessary to further our goals of making this a community where every person has the opportunity to thrive.”
DCHS manages a range of programs and services to help King County residents and strengthen communities. The department is made up of five divisions: Adult Services, Behavioral Health and Recovery, Children, Youth, and Young Adults, Developmental Disabilities and Early Childhood Supports, and Housing, Homelessness and Community Development. Five taxpayer funded initiatives are driven by DCHS, including Best Starts for Kids, the Crisis Care Centers initiative, Health Through Housing, the MIDD, and the VSHSL.
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IT Helpdesk “walk-up window” now available at King Street Center
Updated Feb. 8, 2024
For assistance with minor tech issues, Executive Branch employees may visit the new IT Helpdesk Walk-Up Window at King Street Center. Unlike other Helpdesk locations, you can visit the IT Window without an appointment every Mon. – Thur. from 8:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. (except for holidays). KCIT’s expert staff can help with quick fixes such as password resets, audio issues, or battery problems. You can also replace basic equipment like a faulty headset, charging cable, keyboard, or mouse by simply exchanging it at the IT Window.
King Street Center is easily accessible by many convenient transit routes, or take advantage of free valet parking in the King Street Garage for up to one hour. The IT Window is located on the 2nd floor, across the hall from the public Customer Service area. Swipe your badge to enter the doors marked “Employee Access Only – King County Information Technology.”
Launched in 2023, the IT Window is intended for quick fixes only. For services such as undiagnosed computer issues or laptop exchanges, please submit a Helpdesk Ticket.
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MultiCare may be out-of-network starting March 1, 2024
If you are a member of the Regence KingCare PPO medical plan, and you see medical providers who are part of the MultiCare network, please note the following information about their contract with Regence BlueShield.
Leaders from Regence BlueShield and MultiCare Health Systems are currently in contract negotiations. Both organizations are working to reach an agreement before their current contract ends March 1, 2024. Here is what you need to know:
- Most provider-health plan contract negotiations are resolved with no service disruptions and no provider network changes.
- No action is needed by you at this time.
- You can receive care from MultiCare through Feb. 29, 2024, and services will be paid at the in-network rate.
- If an agreement between MultiCare and Regence is not reached by March 1, 2024, services received on or after this date by MultiCare providers will be considered out-of-network and will be paid at a lower benefit level. For most out-of-network services, you would pay 40% of the Regence allowed amount after the deductible and copays are met, until you reach the out-of-pocket limit. Out-of-network providers can also bill you amounts that exceed the Regence allowed amount. You will pay less by seeking care from providers who are in-network.
- Emergency care at any hospital emergency room will be paid at the in-network level.
- If you are enrolled in the MultiCare KingCare Select plan, it is unclear at this time if MultiCare will become out-of-network in the KingCare Select plan if Regence and MultiCare do not reach an agreement by March 1. More information will be shared when it is received.
Regence recently sent a required notice regarding this potential network disruption to their members who have seen a MultiCare provider in the past year. Additional information will be shared as it becomes available. You may also check the Regence website for updates on the negotiations.
If you have questions or want help finding a different provider, please call Regence BlueShield at 800-376-7926. You can also contact the King County Benefits team at 206-684-1556 or KC Benefits.
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