EvergreenHealth may be out-of-network starting Sept. 1, 2023
If you are a member of the Regence KingCare PPO medical plan, and you see medical providers who are part of the EvergreenHealth network, please note the following information about their contract with Regence BlueShield. Leaders from Regence and EvergreenHealth are currently in extended contract negotiations. Both organizations are working to reach an agreement before their current contract ends Sept. 1. Here is what you need to know: Most provider-health plan contract negotiations are resolved with no service disruptions and no provider network changes. If an agreement between EvergreenHealth and Regence is… Read More
Programs available to help get you on the path to feeling better
Several Health Support Programs are available to employees and family members covered by King County medical plans. These programs provide extra support when you need it, for example, when you need help understanding a new diagnosis, managing a chronic condition, or handling an illness. Program representatives may contact you by phone or email to provide additional information. A summary is provided below. For details, go to Health Support Programs. Omada Diabetes Prevention: Offered to Regence and Kaiser Permanente members If you or a family member are at risk for Type 2 diabetes,… Read More
How the end of the COVID-19 public health emergency impacts your employee medical and pharmacy benefits
During the COVID-19 National Emergency and the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency, some benefit coverages expanded temporarily to make it easier for employees to receive care. These emergencies officially end on May 11, 2023, and many of the expanded benefits will return to normal coverage levels and regular deductibles, copays, and coinsurance will apply. Items that will no longer be covered Over-the-counter COVID-19 tests will no longer be covered and will be an out-of-pocket expense. Medical benefits that are going back to “normal” COVID-19 PCR lab tests will be covered when ordered by an… Read More
Contribute sick or vacation time to help coworkers in need
King County’s leave donation programs allow you to help colleagues affected by catastrophic health conditions or injuries, or those who are caring for family members, by donating sick or vacation hours. The Emergency Medical Leave Fund allows you to donate accrued leave to a central fund that can be distributed to other employees who have a qualifying need. You can donate up to 80 hours of accrued vacation and 25 hours of accrued sick leave each calendar year. The Employee-to-Employee Medical Leave Donation Program allows you to donate any amount of your… Read More
View your W-2 form online
Your 2022 W-2 form is now available in PeopleSoft to view and print. ADP will mail a paper copy of your W-2 form by the Jan. 31 IRS deadline to the address you had listed in PeopleSoft on Dec. 31, 2022. To view or print your W-2, log in to PeopleSoft, choose the Payroll tile, then go to “View W-2/W-2c Forms.” You can also access W-2 forms from any device by registering at the ADP website using these instructions: Access W-2s through ADP. Your Form 1095-C—Employer-Provided Health Insurance Offer and Coverage—will also be sent to your… Read More
Reminder: Leave donation programs revised
King County recently replaced the employee donated leave programs with two similar programs that better comply with IRS tax requirements: The Employee-to-Employee Medical Leave Donation Program allows you to donate your accrued leave directly to another employee. The Emergency Medical Leave Fund makes permanent the emergency leave fund started during the pandemic and allows you to donate accrued leave and request donations from a central fund. Donating leave Employee-to-Employee Medical Donated Leave Program: You can donate leave to another comprehensive leave-eligible employee as follows: Any amount of your accrued vacation time and… Read More
Eligible PERS 2 members can switch to PERS 3 in January
Each January, certain members of Public Employees’ Retirement System (PERS) Plan 2 have the opportunity to make a permanent transfer to PERS Plan 3. You are eligible to transfer to Plan 3 if you are an active PERS Plan 2 member who began service before Sept. 1, 2002, and you will earn service credit in January. Use the resources on the DRS website to help you decide if transferring to Plan 3 is right for you. To transfer from Plan 2 to Plan 3, complete a Member Transfer form and return it by mail or email by… Read More
UPDATE: Regence contract approved with The Polyclinic and Everett Clinic
The contract between Regence and Optum, the parent company of Everett Clinic and The Polyclinic, is approved effective immediately. If you are enrolled in the Regence KingCare PPO, there will be no disruption to your coverage. If you have questions, please call Regence BlueShield at 800-376-7926 from 5 a.m. to 8 p.m. Pacific time, Monday through Friday, and 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on Saturday. You can also contact the King County Benefits team at 206-684-1556 or email KC Benefits. Your patience and understanding in this process has been appreciated.
Eligible PERS 2 members can switch to PERS 3 in January
Each January, certain members of Public Employees’ Retirement System (PERS) Plan 2 have the opportunity to make a permanent transfer to PERS Plan 3. You are eligible to transfer to Plan 3 if you are an active PERS Plan 2 member who began service before Sept. 1, 2002, and you will earn service credit in January. Use the resources on the DRS website to help you decide if transferring to Plan 3 is right for you. To transfer from Plan 2 to Plan 3, complete a Member Transfer form and return it by mail or email by… Read More
Leave donation programs updated for 2023
Beginning Jan. 1, 2023, King County’s donated leave programs are being replaced by two similar programs that better comply with IRS tax requirements. This includes the employee-to-employee donation program and the Emergency Leave Donation Fund started during COVID-19 pandemic. Donating leave Employee-to-Employee Medical Donated Leave Program: You can donate leave to another employee as follows: Any amount of your accrued vacation time and up to 25 hours of your sick leave per year, as long as you have 100 hours or more of sick leave remaining. Emergency Medical Leave Fund: You can… Read More
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