Information for King County employees on the updated 2023-2024 COVID-19 vaccine

Crossposted from KC Balanced You As we head into the fall and winter, the CDC has recommended that everyone six months and older, even if you have received the vaccine before, get the updated, recently released COVID-19 vaccine to protect against new strains of the virus. King County employees can access the vaccine at worksites, pharmacies, clinics, and community events. Why do we need an updated COVID vaccine? COVID-19 has not gone away, and local hospitalizations are on the rise. It is important to protect yourself, your loved ones, and your community… Read More

Attend an Open Enrollment info session or benefits fair

Open Enrollment education sessions Open Enrollment for next year’s benefits is coming up, Nov. 1–15. Get a head start on understanding your 2024 benefit choices by attending an online information session or a benefits fair hosted by your Benefits team. Register for an Open Enrollment information session to: Learn more about your 2024 benefit choices. See what’s changing next year. Discover why it’s important that you participate in Open Enrollment. Ask questions. Attend a benefits and retirement fair to: Talk with representatives from our benefits and retirement vendors. Get your questions answered… Read More

Kaiser Permanente and unions reach tentative agreement

Kaiser Permanente and the Coalition of Kaiser Permanente Unions which represents their employees recently announced they reached a tentative national agreement. The Coalition of Kaiser Permanente Unions has withdrawn their notices of a potential strike and there should be no disruption in services King County employees receive from Kaiser Permanente providers and facilities. For more information, please call Kaiser Permanente Washington at 800-297-6877, or contact the King County Benefits team at 206-684-1556 or email KC Benefits.

Learn about 2024 benefits before Open Enrollment

Take the time to review your benefit choices before Open Enrollment, Nov. 1-15. The following benefit changes become effective for all employee benefit groups on Jan. 1, 2024: KingCare PPO and KingCare Select (Regence BlueShield) medical plans: The PrudentRx program will be offered by CVS to members who take specialty drugs. If you enroll in PrudentRx, you will pay $0 for eligible specialty medications. If you do not enroll, you will pay 30% coinsurance for specialty medications. PrudentRx representatives will contact all eligible employees to enroll. The CVS Cost Saver program will… Read More

Upcoming employee COVID-19 and flu vaccine clinics

King County is hosting two onsite clinics where employees can get vaccinated against both COVID-19 and the flu. Employees can register for one of the two clinics offering both COVID-19 and flu vaccines scheduled for November. This is the new 2023 monovalent COVID-19 vaccination targeting the XBB 1.5 strain of COVID-19. Learn more and register here.

Get ready for Open Enrollment

Open Enrollment is just around the corner, from Nov. 1 through Nov. 15. Make sure your home mailing address is correct in PeopleSoft by Oct. 6. Open Enrollment and benefit changes information will be mailed to your home later this month. Here’s a few reminders to help you plan ahead: Benefit Access Fees: If you choose the KingCare PPO medical plan and you cover a spouse or state-registered domestic partner, a monthly Benefit Access Fee is automatically applied each year. If you qualify for an exemption, you must indicate this each year during… Read More

Possible Kaiser Permanente employee strike will not impact the Pacific Northwest region 

The Coalition of Kaiser Permanente Unions recently issued notice of a possible strike from Oct. 4––6. This does not include Kaiser employees in the Pacific Northwest region.   At this time, the negotiations involve only a fraction of Kaiser Permanente workers and facilities in Washington—primarily in the southwest edge of the state. Other areas impacted are Colorado, Mid-Atlantic States, Northern California, Oregon, Southwest Washington, and Southern California.  Kaiser Permanente and Coalition leaders will continue negotiating with hopes to reach an agreement before any work stoppage occurs. Kaiser has plans in place to ensure continued access to needed health care… Read More

Balanced You and Benefits resources for King County employees

King County offers multiple programs and resources to support the health and well-being of employees. Whether it’s tools to help your physical, mental, emotional, or financial health, there’s a program or benefit that’s right for you. Watch this video to learn more and visit the Balanced You blog and website and the Benefits, Payroll and Retirement Operations (BPROS) website for more informational.

It’s that time for onsite employee flu shot clinics

Getting a flu shot will help to protect you, your loved ones, and your work colleagues from getting sick with the flu this season. King County is hosting onsite flu clinics where employees can get vaccinated.  The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends that everyone six months and older get a flu shot every year, ideally by the end of October.   Onsite flu clinics start Sept. 18. Learn more about onsite flu clinics and how to register here. In addition to onsite flu clinics at county worksites, employees can also get vaccinated at… Read More

Is your personal information correct in PeopleSoft?

It’s important to review and update your personal information in PeopleSoft to ensure: You will receive important Open Enrollment and other employee benefits information mailed to you at the address you provide. Your emergency contact can be notified if something happens to you at work. You can be notified of safety directives, building closures, etc. You can receive information at the email address you prefer. Watch the Updating Personal Details in PeopleSoft video or follow these steps: Sign in to PeopleSoft from any device at https://ess.kingcounty.gov. Go to the Personal Details Make sure all items are… Read More